The French Quarter Enhanced Security Zone is re-established through Friday. Among other things, motor vehicles are prohibited from entering Bourbon Street through the end of the day Friday. But injury attorney Morris Bart, who’s representing dozens of victims and families impacted by the terror attack this past New Year’s Day, says that’s not enough.
“Do the right thing, by permanently closing off bourbon street to traffic, so that an incident like this never happens again,” Bart urged.
Bart says it doesn’t require an occasion like New Year’s, the Sugar Bowl or Mardi Gras to take enhanced measures to close off Bourbon Street.
“You can go to the French Quarter, any ordinary Friday or Saturday night, and Bourbon Street is packed with people out enjoying themselves and having a good time,” Bart said.
Years prior to the attack, the City of New Orleans had acquired removable bollards from engineering firm Mott MacDonald, which often failed when the tracks they moved on became clogged by drinks and beads. Bart says litigation research shows that those decorative bollards will only stop vehicles going up to five miles an hour.
“We don’t need decorative bollards on Bourbon Street. We need permanent, heavy-duty bollards,” Bart said.