In 2016, a drunk driver killed a woman in a hit-and-run accident during Mardi Gras.

In 2017, a drunk driver drove through a Mardi Gras parade crowd and injured 28 people.

In 2019, a drunk driver hit a group of cyclists on Esplanade Avenue after the Endymion parade.

This time, it was not an act of drunk driving, but of terrorism. On New Year’s Day, New Orleans faced an attack by a United States Army veteran from Texas. The terrorist drove a pickup truck into a crowd and proceeded to open fire on responding police officers, injuring two of the officers before being killed in a shootout with law enforcement. The attack killed at least 15 people and wounded 30 more. Naturally, people are worried about the safety of the city and upcoming cultural festivals: such as Carnival and Mardi Gras. However, safety has always been an issue for these festivals, especially during the parades. There have been several incidents almost every year of people getting hurt or killed by reckless behavior and crime.

Mardi Gras is typically given a SEAR-2 security rating, meaning that it receives some federal protection during the event. However, following the attack, Mayor LaToya Cantrell stated that Mardi Gras for 2025 will be a SEAR-1 security event, allowing for the event to receive an increased amount of protection from federal agencies to keep the city safe. Furthermore, she announced that there will be security experts reviewing and reinforcing the city’s safety plans.

Mardi Gras is crucial for New Orleans’s growth and development due to its strong association with the event. It is a significant part of the city’s culture, and increased security for these events is necessary if people are to feel safe. Hopefully, starting this year and going forward, Mardi Gras will be a time of celebration in New Orleans that everyone can enjoy without danger.