Memphis mayor, PD respond to recent attack in New Orleans

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Security concerns have risen around the country since the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans.

What law enforcement officials are now calling a suspected terrorist attack in the heart of New Orleans now has large cities nearby assuring visitors and residents of their own safety measures, including right here in Memphis.

In a statement Thursday, Memphis Mayor Paul Young reassured Memphians and visitors the city has security plans in place:

“As we announced last month, we have recently added more staff to our ongoing arena district security plan and are installing a Downtown Police Command Center to serve as a hub for our safety efforts.”

Downtown Neighborhood Association President, Jerred Price, said the city and the Memphis Police Department have been proactive in preventing these types of incidents.

“When we first started seeing these incidents, unfortunate incidents, happen around the world with cars being rammed into large crowds, Memphis was proactive and said, ‘We are going to protect our people and we are going to protect our visitors, our tourism, and have these installed,’” said Price.

Price also said roadblocks Downtown start a block out from Beale Street.

“The unfortunate situation in New Orleans had cars still driving up and down the streets in the French Quarters. Beale Street is actually shut down when there are crowds down there, one block off of Beale,” he said.

In 2019, steel bollards were placed in four different areas of Beale Street. The current security plan includes those bollards, which are capable of stopping something similar to a military vehicle going around 40 miles per hour.

“These bollards are utilized daily and are designed to stop a 7.5-ton vehicle traveling at 40 mph, providing a strong line of defense against potential threats. We also deploy ten temporary barriers on streets around the entertainment district,” said an MPD spokesperson. “These barriers are rated to stop a 3.5-ton vehicle at 30 mph and are utilized during the weekend and on days when large crowds gather for concerts, basketball games, holidays, and other events.”

The FBI and New Orleans Police officials said the suspect in the New Orleans attack drove around barriers and bollards.

Bennie Cobb, retired Shelby County Sheriff’s Office captain, said when someone uses a vehicle as a weapon, those barriers won’t stop the driver.

He said agencies are likely looking at different ways to enhance current plans.

“More emphasis put on expanding your secured area by using heavy vehicles and heavy obstacles,” said Cobb.

Cobb said he supervised security along Beale Street in the early 2000s for many large events. He said the Bourbon and Beale Street are in some ways similar.

“It’s much, much smaller, Beale Street is actually easier to secure than Bourbon Street. Bourbon has several streets going across. Beale only has a couple, but it’s easier to secure. Now, that doesn’t mean there isn’t any danger,” he said.

Young added, “We are also reminded that regardless of preparedness, evil and ill intent exist. Together with our first responder teams, we continue to strengthen the relationship with our state and federal law enforcement partners; we regularly assess and refine our safety strategies, especially in areas with high pedestrian and vehicular traffic; and we continue to fight violence at every level.”

Click here to sign up for our newsletter!

Click here to report a spelling or grammar error. Please include the headline.

Copyright 2025 WMC. All rights reserved.