I Left the FQ 30 mins before this happened.
1 bollards were not up -they were "being updated for the Super Bowl" -Like when the gate is up at a secure facility because no guard on duty, I guess the thought is "hey terrorists, don't hit today, our gate is up" - or in this case "hey terrorists, don't hit tonight because our bollards are being upgraded".
Where was the "plan b"?
2 heavy police presence everywhere BUT- most were congregating in groups of 10-15 at corners
All around the FQ. I asked a group "hey why aren't you all Patrolling"?. Met with blank cop stares.
3. So no bollards so "plan b" was to have TWO police vehicles "blocking" bourbon st at canal st. You got it, the terrorists drove around them -on the sidewalk - and got around them. Great planning guys. The police security plan for the FQ -on New Years Eve, the night before Sugar Bowl, a month before the SUPER BOWL - was a complete failure. Period.
And 4. I note VERY little said about the FACT this guy was an ISLAMIC terrorist. couldn't Care less he was a "vet". I Spent 35 yrs in Marine Corps, I know many like him.
Hard to trust those guys when I was overseas. VERY HARD.