With thousands of people expected to visit New Orleans for the 52nd annual Bayou Classic this weekend, public safety remains a major focus.
From Nov. 28 to Nov. 30, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents, along with Louisiana State Police (LSP) troopers, will assist the New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana National Guard, and the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office in providing additional safety personnel to the French Quarter area.
The LDWF Enforcement Division is deploying 10 Special Operations Group agents and eight Maritime Special Response Team agents to work with the Louisiana State Police Mobile Field Force and the Louisiana State Police SWAT team in the French Quarter Enhanced Security Zone (FQESZ). The FQESZ is from Canal St. to Ann St., between Royal St. and Dauphine streets. This area includes Bourbon St.
The following guidelines are in place for the FQESZ:
• Backpack coolers and ice chests are prohibited within the FQESZ.
• Bags larger than 4.5” x 6.5” (approximately the size of a clutch handbag) are discouraged and subject to search by law enforcement before entering the FQESZ.
• Vehicles are prohibited from entering the FQESZ except for emergency purposes.
• Visitors staying at hotels on Bourbon Street should use Royal Street or Dauphine Street entrances to access their hotels. Visitors will be allowed access with luggage at the nearest barrier or cross street if the hotel does not have access to those streets. Visitors must provide proof of a hotel reservation and identification.
• Anyone refusing a search will be denied entry to the FQESZ.