National Guard Returns to New Orleans as City Marks One Year Since Deadly Bourbon Street Attack
NEW ORLEANS — As New Orleans approaches the one-year anniversary of the devastating terror attack on Bourbon Street that killed 14 people and injured many more during New Year’s celebrations, officials have authorized a significant National Guard deployment to the city, CBS News reports. CBS News+1
The presence of hundreds of National Guard troops is set to begin this week and will continue through the peak of the city’s celebration season — including New Year’s, Carnival, and Mardi Gras — as part of an expanded security effort to protect residents and visitors. Military.com
Renewed Focus on Public Safety
The renewed deployment comes as city and state officials emphasize heightened safety measures to prevent further attacks and support local law enforcement. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry requested the deployment, which was authorized by then-President Donald Trump, with the Guard joining local police and federal agencies to bolster visibility and public security during large gatherings. Military.com
Louisiana National Guard spokesperson Lt. Col. Noel Collins said the troops will focus on stabilizing the environment, assisting in crime reduction, and working alongside more than 800 local, state and federal officers in crowd control efforts, traffic management, and pedestrian safety in popular areas like the French Quarter. WBOC TV
Remembering the Attack
The deployment coincides with memorial events marking the anniversary of the deadly vehicle-ramming and shooting attack on January 1, 2025, when an individual drove a pickup truck into a crowd of New Year’s revelers on Bourbon Street, killing 14 people before being fatally shot by police. WSLS
In the immediate aftermath of that tragedy, 100 National Guard members were sent to the city to assist with security. This year’s deployment builds on that effort with significantly more personnel and coordination. WBOC TV
Broader Security Strategy
Officials note that National Guard support is not unusual for major events in New Orleans; similar deployments helped secure high-profile occasions like the Super Bowl and previous Carnival celebrations. However, the timing of this mission underscores ongoing concerns about public safety — particularly as crowds return to Bourbon Street during peak tourist seasons. Military.com
New Orleans police have stressed that the Guard will not be involved in immigration enforcement, focusing instead on visibility and preventative security measures to protect against threats while enhancing community confidence in public safety strategies. wplg
Community Response and Expectations
While some local leaders and residents support the increased presence as a reassurance to citizens and visitors alike, others debate the necessity of such a large deployment given drops in other crime statistics over the past year. Regardless, authorities maintain that the Guard’s role will be cooperative and supplemental to NOPD efforts. WSLS
As New Orleans looks back on a year marked by tragedy and resilience, this deployment represents both a remembrance of lives lost and a commitment to safeguarding the vibrant culture and traditions that define the city’s spirit.
Source: CBS News — “National Guard deploying to New Orleans as city marks 1 year since Bourbon Street terror attack.” CBS News
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