New report pushes for permanent pedestrian-only Bourbon Street to boost Mardi Gras safety after terror attack

Fox News - Apr 10th, 2025

In the wake of a devastating terrorist attack on New Year's Day that claimed 14 lives and injured dozens on Bourbon Street, New Orleans is considering significant safety changes. The New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation, following a comprehensive safety review by Teneo Risk, has recommended transforming Bourbon Street into a permanent pedestrian zone to mitigate the risk of vehicle-ramming attacks. This recommendation stems from the street's current vulnerability due to its layout, narrow sidewalks, and frequent pedestrian overflow, which make it particularly susceptible to such attacks.

The report also highlights the need for enhanced emergency response access, improved officer staffing, and better coordination between agencies. It emphasizes making the Department of Homeland Security's

New Orleans Bourbon Street Mardi Gras Terrorist Attack Safety Recommendations Teneo Risk William J. Bratton Nopjf Pedestrian Zone

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RATING

7.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a detailed and factual account of a recent terrorist attack on Bourbon Street and the subsequent safety recommendations. It scores highly for accuracy and clarity, presenting well-supported claims and using a neutral tone. However, it could benefit from greater balance by including more perspectives from local stakeholders and more transparency regarding the report's methodology. The topic is timely and relevant, addressing public interest in urban safety and potential policy changes. Overall, the article is informative and engaging, with room for improvement in source variety and perspective representation.

Accuracy

The story presents a factual account of a terrorist attack on Bourbon Street, claiming 14 fatalities and numerous injuries. This aligns with the reported facts. The article accurately references a security report by Teneo Risk, recommending Bourbon Street be converted into a pedestrian zone to prevent future attacks. The report's details, such as vulnerabilities due to narrow sidewalks and the SEAR 1 rating for Mardi Gras, are consistent with available information. However, it could benefit from more precise sourcing for some claims, such as the exact nature of the attack and the specific federal resources provided.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on the perspective of improving safety on Bourbon Street, using the Teneo Risk report as a central reference. While it briefly mentions potential concerns from residents and business owners, it does not delve deeply into these opposing viewpoints. The narrative could be more balanced by including more perspectives from local stakeholders, such as residents, business owners, or city officials who might oppose or support the proposed changes.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear, concise language to convey the main points. It logically presents the sequence of events, the recommendations from the security report, and the potential implications for Bourbon Street. The tone remains neutral, focusing on delivering information rather than opinion, which aids in reader comprehension.

Source quality

The article relies on credible sources, such as a report by Teneo Risk led by former NYPD Commissioner William J. Bratton. This lends authority to the claims about security vulnerabilities and recommendations. However, while the article mentions statements from the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation, it lacks direct quotes or detailed responses from local authorities or other stakeholders, which would enhance source variety and credibility.

Transparency

The article provides a clear basis for its claims, citing a specific security report and its recommendations. However, it does not fully disclose the methodology behind the report's findings or the specific data used. Additionally, while the article mentions the involvement of Teneo Risk and its leader, it does not explore any potential conflicts of interest or biases in the report's creation, which would improve transparency.