Heavily armed troops patrol New Orleans for Super Bowl as security sources confirm ‘active threats’ ahead of Trump visit
NEW Orleans is under tight security ahead of Super Bowl LIX with heavily armed soldiers, SWAT teams, and federal agents patrolling the city amid confirmed threats.
Security has been further ramped up as Donald Trump prepares to attend - marking the first time a sitting U.S. president will be at a Super Bowl.
Authorities are also investigating multiple other warnings, including one targeting Apple CEO Tim Cook, who is in town for the game.
The Big Easy is no stranger to chaos, but this time, the stakes are even higher.
The security operation follows a deadly New Year’s Day vehicle attack on Bourbon Street, where a driver deliberately plowed into a crowd, prompting officials to postpone the annual college football Sugar Bowl.
Now, with tens of thousands of fans arriving for one of the biggest sporting events of the year, authorities are taking no chances.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the US "remains in a heightened threat environment" but said there were no "specific, credible threats".
New Orleans has effectively been transformed into a high-security zone, with an extensive multi-agency effort in place.
Federal agencies, including the FBI, Secret Service, and DHS, have executed an ironclad security plan.
More than 690 DHS personnel are on the ground, deploying air security resources, cyber and infrastructure security assessments, and high-tech explosive detection.
The skies above New Orleans are tightly controlled, with drones banned and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight restrictions in place over downtown New Orleans.
On the ground, the Louisiana National Guard has mobilized 350 soldiers, turning the French Quarter into a heavily monitored zone.
DHS has categorized Super Bowl LIX as a Special Event Assessment Rating Level 1—the highest security classification for a public event.
Meanwhile, the Louisiana National Guard has deployed 350 soldiers, working alongside local police to enforce strict security measures.
These include checkpoints and bag searches at key entry points into Bourbon Street, barricades and vehicle restrictions preventing cars from entering major pedestrian areas, and cooler bans and enhanced crowd monitoring in popular gathering spots.
Photos from the scene show National Guard soldiers manning checkpoints, inspecting delivery vehicles, and searching bags.
Heavily armed units stand at intersections while SWAT teams patrol in armored vehicles.
Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick of the New Orleans Police Department confirmed that 2,000 officers will be on duty, with Bourbon Street completely closed to vehicle traffic.
She said the city will be "a sea of blue" and roadblocks and controlled access points will remain in place through Monday.
STADIUM SECURITY
Security will be just as strict inside the Caesars Superdome - where standard NFL security protocols will be enforced.
All attendees will see mandatory clear bag policy and enhanced screening checkpoints with metal detectors.
Strict prohibited item enforcement will also be in place, including bans on drones and large electronics.
NFL chief of security Cathy Lanier said: "We don’t want to focus only on the last incident. We want to focus on being prepared."
Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said security measures have been "enhanced".
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He said: "Extensive planning and coordination have been in place to ensure the safety of all attendees, players, and staff.
"Security measures have been further enhanced this year, given that this will be the first time a sitting President of the United States will attend the event."