New Orleans police’s recent changes helped save lives during a tragic New Year’s Eve attack, showcasing their improved response and training.
New Orleans: The recent New Year’s Eve attack was a real shocker. A guy named Shamsud Din Jabbar drove a pickup truck into a crowd, killing 14 people. It was a nightmare.
But here’s the thing: the police were praised for their quick response. Rafael Goyeneche, a former assistant district attorney, said their training really kicked in. They rushed to the scene and took Jabbar down.
Goyeneche pointed out that the New Orleans Police Department has changed a lot over the years. They’ve gone from being pretty ineffective to a force that’s ready to handle crises. It’s a big deal.
He mentioned that the NOPD has been under a federal consent decree since 2013, which helped them improve. The officers acted fast, and that’s what they’ve been training for.
Unfortunately, Jabbar managed to get his truck into a pedestrian area because the barriers were under repair. That’s a big concern, and Goyeneche said it’s something the city needs to address.
In the wake of this attack, there’s been a lot of talk about safety. New Orleans has some big events coming up, and people are on edge. Goyeneche noted that there’s a stronger police presence now, especially around the Superdome.
It’s a tough situation. Goyeneche said he never thought something like this could happen in New Orleans, but it did. The city is trying to bounce back, but it’s going to take time.
