For the past five weeks, there has been talk of heightened security arrangements for Super Bowl LIX after a shocking terrorist attack hit the city of New Orleans on New Year’s Day.

On January 1 a truck rammed through a crowded street, eventually killing 15 people and leaving many more injured. That attack has cast a shadow over this year’s preparations and forced officials to outlaw a common Super Bowl item.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has announced that an ‘enhanced security zone’ will be in place along Bourbon Street throughout Super Bowl weekend, with a ban on coolers and ice chests in those busy areas. Fans may also be subjected to bag searches before entering the fan zone.

In addition, drones will be banned around the Superdome and downtown New Orleans for the week of the game and new flight restrictions will be in place. The FBI are stationing rooftop snipers and armoured SWAT vehicles around the stadium and busy areas, ensuring a quick response if anything were to happen.

NFL security chief confident in Super Bowl plans

Security preparations for the Super Bowl begin around two years ahead of the game. The NFL’s championship game is often heralded as the biggest stand-alone sports event on the planet and it take a look of work to ensure that it goes off without incident. After all that preparatory work, officials are confident that Super Bowl LIX is well protected.

Cath Lanier, NFL chief security officer, explained last week: “I think the most important thing is, very clear and unequivocal, saying without hesitation that we are really confident in our security plan going into the Super Bowl.”

“I think the biggest thing that you’ll see that’s different following the attacks is just a lot more visible law enforcement presence,” Lanier said. “We are still prepared to make new modifications should something change between now and the Super Bowl. That’s kind of our job is to be flexible and make changes, as needed.”

She continued: “I feel very confident that we’re going to the Super Bowl in an environment that people are going to feel comfortable, they’re going to feel safe and they’re going to enjoy the Super Bowl.”

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