After attack in New Orleans, are security changes coming to Soulard Mardi Gras?

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - As Mardi Gras quickly approaches, security is top of mind, especially in the aftermath of the deadly truck attack in New Orleans.

Monday kicks off dozens of events until the biggest one, the Grand Parade on March 1. It will bring thousands of people to Soulard.

First Alert 4 asked Soulard Mardi Gras’ organizer if they plan on making any changes to make this year’s event safer.

The Mardi Gras Foundation says over the last 25 years, there has been a hard perimeter set-up of keeping vehicles out near the festival zone. This includes 100 concrete vehicle barriers around 20 different intersections that are at entry points to the neighborhood.

In the New Orleans terrorist attack, a security upgrade was underway to replace old barriers ahead of the Super Bowl. Surveillance video shows the suspect’s truck speeding onto the sidewalk -- before slamming into people on Bourbon Street.

First Alert 4 asked Soulard Mardi Gras’ organizer if they plan on making any changes to security.

Mack Bradley, President of the Mardi Gras Foundation tells First Alert 4, “We also have decided several months ago that we’re going to reduce the number of pedestrian entry points into the festival. It’s our job along with the city and law enforcement and others to produce events that are both safe and fun. We do that every year and we’re going to be doing that again this year, so people need to know that we and our partners at the City of Saint Louis, and our partners in law enforcement are very focused on this.”

If you live in Soulard, your car has to be off the streets before the festivities begin.

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