Agencies Working Together to Increase Security for Mardi Gras

Agencies Working Together to Increase Security for Mardi Gras

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • Feb 08, 2016

With thousands of people pouring into New Orleans for Mardi Gras, security is beefing up from the Port of New Orleans to the French Quarter and even parade routes. Local, state and federal officials says public safety remains the priority. Some in Louisiana are saying this is the most security at Mardi Gras since 9/11.

The first line of defense for Mardi Gras, which is usually celebrated from mid-January through early-February, is Customs and Border Protection Agents along with the U.S. Coast Guard who carefully inspect imported good for the sake of the celebrations. Beads, merchandise and float materials are carefully inspected upon arrival and prohibited items are confiscated.

Police barricades are in place to keep mobile transportation away from crowds of people enjoying the parades. This year, certain sections of the parade routes have been designated as “no throw zones” because of congestion and safety concerns.

Officials said the city's police force of more than 1,100 officers will be bolstered by 170 state troopers, 100 FBI agents and dozens of officers from nearby law enforcement agencies.

Those officers will be placed along parade routes and patrolling through neighborhoods. Along with their weapons, police will be wearing body cameras.

State police will also continue to check-in with the FBI and other agencies to make sure New Orleans and the State aren’t facing any possible security threats during the festivities.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Video Surveillance Trends to Watch

    With more organizations adding newer capabilities to their surveillance systems, it’s always important to remember the “basics” of system configuration and deployment, as well as the topline benefits of continually emerging technologies like AI and the cloud. Read Now

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

  • Overwhelming Majority of CISOs Anticipate Surge in Cyber Attacks Over the Next Three Years

    An overwhelming 98% of chief information security officers (CISOs) expect a surge in cyber attacks over the next three years as organizations face an increasingly complex and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital threat landscape. This is according to new research conducted among 300 CISOs, chief information officers (CIOs), and senior IT professionals by CSC1, the leading provider of enterprise-class domain and domain name system (DNS) security. Read Now

  • ASIS International Introduces New ANSI-Approved Investigations Standard

    • Guard Services

  • Cloud Security Alliance Brings AI-Assisted Auditing to Cloud Computing

    The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment, today introduced an innovative addition to its suite of Security, Trust, Assurance and Risk (STAR) Registry assessments with the launch of Valid-AI-ted, an AI-powered, automated validation system. The new tool provides an automated quality check of assurance information of STAR Level 1 self-assessments using state-of-the-art LLM technology. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.