New Orleans Prepares for New Year's with Heightened Security

New Orleans is getting ready for its first New Year's celebration since the tragic Bourbon Street attack. To ensure safety, the National Guard has been called in to help with security measures. This comes almost a year after a devastating incident that exposed serious security flaws in the city's famous party district. The attack happened when a man drove a truck down Bourbon Street, killing 14 people and injuring many others. The city has since added more security measures, but some families of the victims feel that not enough has been done to prevent such tragedies in the future. The investigation into the attack focused on the street's bollard system, which is meant to stop vehicles from entering. However, these barriers are only temporary and can't handle high-speed collisions. Experts have suggested installing permanent security gates that can withstand faster impacts, but the city has not yet made a decision.As the city prepares for New Year's, 350 National Guard members have been deployed to assist with security. They will stay through the Carnival season, which attracts many tourists to the city. Both Republicans and Democrats support this added security, and the mayor-elect appreciates the troops' presence. Despite the tragedy, life in New Orleans goes on. The city relies heavily on tourism, and the entertainment district is always bustling. After the attack, the street was quickly reopened, and handwritten tributes were eventually painted over. Now, as the anniversary approaches, tourists are again flocking to Bourbon Street for the celebrations. Above the street, hundreds of handcrafted flags honor the victims. A local shop manager has noticed that many tourists don't remember the attack and has to explain the memorials to them. It seems that society moves on quickly, even from such tragic events.