Should people be concerned about risk of terrorism at places like Mardi Gras?

2015-01-20T20:34:53-05:00

Mardi Gras (Fr. "Fat Tuesday") is less than a month away. Each year there is a record high in the number of tourist present. I questioned a few people I know about the concerns of terrorism and they just brushed off like it isn't nothing to worry about. Worrying isn't the issue it's about being safe. Do you think it is a risk since we don't know who is who, after all homegrown terrorist is on the rise?

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Jan 20 at 2015 8:36 PM

2015-01-20T20:36:34-05:00

Hey, get it right, Mardi Gras season starts after 3 Kings Day 12 days after Christmas and last until Fat Tuesday!

Are the parades and bourbon street a target? Of course they are, but so is the National Capitol, Disney (east and west) Busch Gardens, the Super Bowl or any one of another thousand events.

Response by 1SG Frank Boynton made Jan 20 at 2015 10:54 PM

2015-01-20T22:54:22-05:00

Worried about home grown terrorists, not so much. Worried about the crime in New Orleans that has filtered into the parade routes and into the French Quarter over the last couple of years - absolutely. Especially in the crowds. Thugs shooting into crowds without regard for life should be a concern. As a former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Deputy, I worked many, many parades, on the South and North Shores all the way to Picayune, Mississippi, and every water parade over 6 years. The closer to Fat Tuesday the larger the crowds along the parade route. Easily exceeding over a million people. Yeah, ever vigilant. As the party flows into the Quarter and the crowds are so thick that your best bet is to grab on the tail of one of the horse patrols to get from one fight to another, the scene is crazy. I enjoy watching people having fun, but after 6 years of working them, I seldom go to them as a spectator, and now only if family has come to town specifically for them.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2015 11:04 PM

2015-01-20T23:04:45-05:00

I'm unconcerned about terrorism. 17 trill in debt and upwards of 200 trill in unfunded obligations, its not gonna be pretty. so people, just continue ask for freebies from this government

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2015 11:05 PM

2015-01-20T23:05:52-05:00

To a point, they have it right. The whole point of "terrorism" tactics is for a minority to affect a change in behavior in the majority by scaring them into acceding to their demands. We must be vigilant, but the best way to undermine the tactic is to remain committed to our way of life.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2015 11:38 PM

2015-01-20T23:38:43-05:00

It definitely is and there will be people who feel disenfranchised and have nothing to lose. It seems there are a lot of factors here including cities like Detroit destroyed by the death of the auto industry.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2015 12:14 AM

2015-01-21T00:14:58-05:00

Considering the activities that occur during Mardi Gras, I would say yes. Most of the activities fall outside the boundaries of "their" social norm. They don't call us the great satan as a friend or colleague, quite the opposite. We teach CT teams that terrorists want to make a big impact. Their attacks will always be public and personal. As far as homegrown, I don't think so.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Jan 22 at 2015 9:06 AM

2015-01-22T09:06:54-05:00

Concerned about risk of terrorism at places like Mardi Gras? I'd say situationally aware not concerned for the following reasons.
- Composite risk management. Goes to identifying hazards, assessing probability and severity, then emplacing mitigation actions. I would guess that a terrorist attack at a venue like Mardi Gras has several different hazards (gun attack, bomb attack, other), low probability, med-high severity, with several police mitigations already in place. Key for an individual is to be aware of one's environment.
- Agree with 1SG Boynton that crime is a greater risk than terrorism.
- Recommend using the OPSEC and foreign travel training that is required for DoD personnel. Applies just as well within CONUS.
- Have fun but don't lose control of your faculties (ie get falling down drunk).

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jan 22 at 2015 11:51 AM

2015-01-22T11:51:50-05:00

Yes. Plan for the worst hope for the best. Avoid crowds when able.