Super Bowl security ramped up in New Orleans after New Year’s Day terror attack killed 14
Super Bowl organizers and law enforcement have beefed up security measures ahead of the Feb. 9 confrontation in New Orleans following the New Year’s Day terrorist attack.
Hundreds of thousands of fans will travel to Louisiana next month for the biggest night on the US sports calendar.
“We have significantly increased our security posture so that people can come here and see a strong law enforcement presence,” said Eric DeLaune, special agent in charge of homeland security investigations in New Orleans. told ESPN.
“My goal was that you couldn’t walk down a city block in downtown New Orleans without encountering at least one law enforcement officer. I’m not trying to scare people. I want people to see that we are prepared.”
The report adds that SWAT team members, armored vehicles and special officers on rooftops will all be part of the security efforts in NOLA.
NFL’s Chief Security Officer Cathy Lanier added: “I would say it doesn’t change much in our security planning, but it does change things. Are we doing something different? Naturally.’
The New Year’s attack took place when a man radicalized by ISIS drove a truck through the popular French neighborhood of New Orleans.
It led to the postponement of the Sugar Bowl between Notre Dame and Georgia by nearly 24 hours at the city’s Superdome, where the Super Bowl will also take place.
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