A recent terrorist attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans has heightened security concerns for the upcoming Super Bowl. The event, scheduled to take place this Sunday, will feature the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles at the Caesars Superdome. The presence of Donald Trump at the game has further intensified security measures. On January 1, a terrorist attack in the historic center of New Orleans resulted in 14 deaths and 35 injuries. The attacker, who carried an Islamic State (ISIS) flag, was killed at the scene by police officers.
The NFL and federal and municipal agencies have reviewed and intensified their security plans for the Super Bowl. The New Orleans Police Department has hired former New York City Police Commissioner William Bratton and his private security firm Teneo to assist with security. Approximately 2,000 law enforcement agents will be present in the Super Bowl enclosure and surroundings. Vehicle traffic in Bourbon Street will not be allowed, and the city will block intersections leading to popular areas.
The city has taken extensive measures to ensure security, including the deployment of federal air marshals in transportation centers to monitor for suspicious activity. Drones are prohibited over the center of New Orleans and around the Superdome, and there will be flight restrictions up to 18,000 feet.
To ensure safety, no one can access the cordoned area surrounding the Superdome without proper entry and identification. The perimeter will include anti-explosion barriers, and trucks must go through gigantic X-ray machines. Federal agencies will incorporate snipers on rooftops and place SWAT armored vehicles around the stadium. Over 100 bomb detector dogs will be deployed to search the 37,161 square meters of the Superdome and each of its 70,000 seats before the game. The extensive security measures in place aim to provide a safe environment for all attendees.
