Walt Leger, President and CEO of New Orleans and Company, discussed the city’s recovery from the tragic events of New Year’s morning and preparations for the upcoming Super Bowl. He emphasized the community’s resilience and determination to move forward despite the challenges. Leger highlighted the importance of thoughtful reflection and investigation to improve safety measures without resorting to blame. He praised the heroics of law enforcement and their effective crowd control and safety practices, which are recognized nationwide.
Leger also stressed the unique nature of the French Quarter, which requires tailored safety standards and strict execution of new tools and technologies. He acknowledged the need to balance mourning with progress and to learn from the incident without overshadowing the many safe and successful events hosted in the past. The discussion included the recognition of potential terrorism threats and the importance of comprehensive public safety planning. Despite the recent tragedy, Leger remains optimistic about New Orleans’ ability to host major events like the Super Bowl safely and successfully.