Protective barriers intended to prevent terrorist attacks along New Orleans’ Bourbon Street were being replaced and were not set up when a truck fatally plowed into New Year’s revelers early Wednesday.
The stainless-steel bollards were removed in November as part of an overhaul of the security system, Nola.com reported.
That overhaul was due to take three months, and was brought on by what French Quarter Management District head Bob Simms called an “ineffective” old system.
Live updates: Everything to know about the New Orleans ‘terror attack’
“The track was always full of crap, beads and doubloons and God knows what else. Not the best idea,” Simms told Nola.com. “Eventually everybody realized the need to replace them. They’re in the process of doing that, but the new ones are not yet operational.”
At least 10 people were killed when the pickup truck sped down Bourbon Street just after 3 a.m., and it was only stopped after it slammed into a crane blocking the way.
