NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — On Monday, February 14, leaders with the City of New Orleans hosted press conference to discuss the city’s safety measures taken during Mardi Gras 2022.
With Carnival parades coming back in full force so is security for all the Carnival celebrations.
“A lot of planning has gone into planning this event under extremely challenging circumstances. A lot of the assets and same type of planning that went into the Super Bowl have gone into Mardi Gras,” Collin Arnold, Director of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness said.
The security measures involve partnering with state, local, and federal partners with eyes in the sky the U.S. Coast Guard in the water, and more EMS and ambulances on the streets as well as all hands on deck for the NOPD.
“Effective at 7 a.m. on this Friday, February 18th, we will transition into a 12-hour shift for our personnel and will continue this until Wednesday, March 2nd at 7 a.m,” Supt. Shaun Ferguson with the NOPD said.
The Louisiana State Police will once again be bringing in troopers to help police the streets with 100 State Troopers, a slightly smaller number than past Mardi Gras’ where approximately 160 or 150 Troopers came in to New Orleans to help.
Despite a pandemic, a crime spike, and a strapped police department, still Mayor LaToya Cantrell says she has no doubt New Orleans will pull off a fun, but safe Mardi Gras season.
“Very excited for Mardi Gras to return to the City of New Orleans. Does give us a sense of normal. It gives us a sense of normalcy, but it is very important for everyone to recognize that we are not under normal times,” Mayor Cantrell said.
To stay up to date on all the latest Mardi Gras information, City leaders say all you must do is text “MARDIGRAS” TO 77295.
Watch the full press conference below: