Security experts say Bourbon Street attack shows technology can be used for good or evil – FOX 8 Local First

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Readily available smart technology was used by the domestic terrorist who pulled off a deadly New Year’s Day attack in the French Quarter, according to the FBI. Security experts say it was an example of how some technological advances can present new challenges for law enforcement.
Before Shamsud-Din Jabbar mowed down innocent revelers with a truck on Bourbon Street, he first reconnoitered the street months earlier using camera-equipped eyeglasses, according to the FBI.
“Jabbar was wearing a pair of Meta glasses when he conducted the attack on Bourbon Street, but he did not activate the glasses to livestream his actions that day,” said Lyonel Myrthil, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s New Orleans field office.
Meta is the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and Threads.
“Meta glasses appear to look like regular glasses, but they allow the user to record videos and photos hands-free,” Myrthil said.
The FBI said Jabbar made trips to New Orleans in October and November, riding a bicycle down Bourbon Street on the afternoon of Oct. 31 while recording hands-free video of the layout.
His use of smart glasses raises questions about whether easily accessible technology is also creating challenges for law enforcement.
“It’s a terrific question,” said James DeMeo, a homeland and sports security expert who teaches at Tulane University. “Certainly in my role in higher education, we always talk about being on the forefront of these technologies and looking at these risks.”
People also can purchase flying drones and use smartphones to record and stream video of people and places.
“Fast forward to 2025, this most recent attack coming out of the French Quarter, we’re looking at errant drones and obviously the Meta glasses in this case,” DeMeo said. “You know, technology could be used for good. In this case, unfortunately, it was used for nefarious, ‘bad actor’ reasons.”
Collin Arnold, director of New Orleans’ Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, said he agrees people with bad intent can take advantage of technological advances.
“It’s very difficult (for law enforcement),” Arnold said. “I think it really just completely exemplifies how difficult it is. If you have a particularly lone person who is committed to doing something so terrible, they’re going to find a way to do it.”
Following other high-profile, mass casualty incidents, social media has been fertile ground for investigators.
DeMeo, a security consultant who says he worked in law enforcement for more than 20 years, said he understands the challenges police face.
“In this case, we had a bad actor who did his reconnaissance prior to the event,” DeMeo said. “So, it’s important that law enforcement responsibly monitor social media before, during and post events, as a key risk mitigation tool and ingredient for law enforcement to share that information.”
Providing adequate security at major events is a global challenge.
“Outside of Buckingham Palace, obviously (at) the king’s coronation, they utilized what’s known as ‘hostile vehicle mitigation,’” DeMeo said. “It’s a bollard, a removable bollard, so in the event of a mass casualty incident or a call for 911, EMS, there are cover plates that could be implemented so crowds can move in and out as well. So we can prevent stampedes and if you needed to get a police vehicle or emergency vehicle in that space, that could be done probably within 30 seconds.”
New Orleans will host Super Bowl LIX next month.
“In terms of the Super Bowl, we look at those ‘soft targets’ on the outside of the ingress screening at the the Superdome,” DeMeo said. “And being mindful that, as we’ve just seen, those soft targets present vulnerabilities and they are prime targets for terrorist strikes.”
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