Officials in Salem, which regularly hosts crowds of up to 100,000 people during the month of October, said they were reviewing public safety measures put in place in the wake of a terrorist attack in New Orleans that killed 14 people.
Throughout October, Salem draws visitors from all over the world thanks to its history with witchcraft. As a result, city officials say it would be “short-sighted” not to consider it a potential target for political violence or terrorism.
Already, the police department and other law enforcement officers are approaching the month with that attitude, with several security measures in place throughout October, said city Mayor Dominick Pangallo and Cpl. of Police, Lucas J. Miller, a a joint statement. These security measures include an additional police presence, traffic diversions and pedestrian-only areas protected by concrete barriers.
Officials met Thursday, the day after the attack, to review their security plans.
“The harshest lesson seems to be that while New Orleans adopted very similar measures to Salem to keep people on the streets safe, the attacker was able to simply drive through the barriers, either because the mechanical bollards were out of order or because he was driving on the sidewalk,” the statement said. “Another lesson is that while Mardi Gras would be the most likely event for an attack in New Orleans, any well-attended event is a target.”
In the wake of the attack, Salem officials say they will install additional bollards to provide more security in pedestrian areas, a plan that was already in place before the New Year’s Eve attack in New Orleans that the city now it aims to speed up. The city also intends to purchase more mobile vehicle barriers and concrete “Jersey barriers.”
Downtown businesses and residents are likely to see their space imposed more than in previous years by 2025, as Pangallo and Miller say that “planning for pedestrian-only areas will have to be more rigid and enforce- more fully this October.”
The city also intends to re-examine police staffing levels in October, with Pangallo and Miller saying Salem can bring in officers from other municipalities and agencies. And, an outside specialist is on hand to review the city’s existing Haunted Happenings public safety plans.
“This conversation is not over, and we will continue to evaluate the information from New Orleans to better learn from this terrible attack and improve our own security operations here in Salem,” the statement said. “As we think of Salem, today we also grieve with the city of New Orleans and with the families and loved ones of those killed.”
The attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans killed 14 people, including the driver, Shamsud-Din Jabbarwho did they say it was inspired by the Islamic State militant group. Jabbar was fatally shot in a shootout with police after driving his truck at high speed around a barricade and into the crowd. About 30 people were injured.
The authorities finished processing the event on Thursday morning, removing the last of the bodies. Bourbon Street, famous around the world for its music, outdoor drinking and festive atmosphere, reopened its doors in the early afternoon.
Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.