New Orleans police increase security for NBA YoungBoy concert
HUNDREDS OF EXTRA POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE ON PATROL IN NEW ORLEANS THIS SUNDAY AND MONDAY, AS CONCERNS MOUNT OVER THE NBA YOUNGBOY CONCERTS SET FOR THE SMOOTHIE KING CENTER. AND THIS COMES AS OTHER CITIES HAVE CANCELED THEIR SHOWS ALTOGETHER. WDSU REPORTER SHAY O’CONNOR LOOKED INTO WHY AND THE QUESTIONS THAT LOCAL LEADERS ARE RAISING. SHEA. WE REACHED OUT TO ATLANTA PD TO DETERMINE WHY THE SOLD OUT SHOW WAS CANCELED. WE DID NOT GET ANY CONFIRMATION, BUT SOURCES DO SAY THAT IT’S BECAUSE OF VIOLENCE OR POTENTIAL FIGHTS. WHILE NOPD WOULD NOT CONFIRM THIS, THEY DID SAY THAT THEY WOULD BE UPPING SECURITY MEASURES. THE INTELLIGENCE WE HAVE FOR THIS PARTICULAR CONCERT FROM VARIOUS CITIES AND VARIOUS EVENTS THAT THEY’VE HAD, AND VARIOUS POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS, THEIR INTEL DIVISION. SO I THINK THAT GIVES US CONCERN. MORE THAN 400 EXTRA OFFICERS WILL BE AT THE SMOOTHIE KING CENTER ON OCTOBER 19TH AND 20TH, ALONG WITH ADDITIONAL STREET PATROLS. OUR ENFORCEMENT PRESENCE WILL INCLUDE WALKING BEATS, MOUNTED BICYCLES, TACTICAL UNITS, DRONES. ONE OF OUR ARMORED VEHICLES. THIS FOLLOWS THE CANCELLATION OF YOUNGBOY SHOWS IN ATLANTA, DETROIT AND CHICAGO. LOCAL LEADERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HOW THIS NEW OVERTIME WILL IMPACT THE CITY’S BOTTOM LINE. AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A MASSIVE SPIRALING DEFICIT AND A LARGE PART OF THAT DEFICIT IS OVERTIME, PARTICULARLY WITH THE NEW ORLEANS POLICE DEPARTMENT. IN A SOCIAL MEDIA POST. COUNCIL PRESIDENT JP MORRELL IS PUTTING INTO QUESTION WHY THE CITY IS HAVING TO FOOT THIS BILL INSTEAD OF THE SMOOTHIE KING CENTER. THAT MEANS IS THE REVENUE THAT WILL BE GENERATED FOR THE STATE, AND THE CITY WILL NOT BEGIN TO COVER HOW MUCH WE’RE GOING TO HAVE TO SPEND TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC AND THE CONCERT GOERS. THE NOPD SAYS IT WILL TRY TO UTILIZE OFFICERS ON 12 HOUR SHIFTS TO MINIMIZE COSTS, AND ALSO HAD THIS MESSAGE FOR FANS. OUR PUBLIC MESSAGE TO EVERYONE IS ONE NOPD IS PREPARED FOR THIS EVENT. TWO IS IF YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE TO BRING A GUN, DON’T COME DOWN TO THE AREA. OFFICIALS DID SAY THE SMOOTHIE KING CENTER CAN HOLD UP TO 17,000 PEOPLE, AND IT’S POSSIBLE THAT BOTH NIGHTS WILL BE FILLED TO CAPACITY. I ALSO HAVE REACHED OUT TO NBA YOUNGBOY’S CAMP ON THE SITUATION. I’LL LET YOU KNOW IF I HEAR BACK. REPORTING FROM NEAR THE SMOOTHIE KING CENTER. SHAY O’CONNOR WDSU NEWS. WE DID REACH OUT TO ASM GLOBAL, THE GROUP THAT MANAGE
New Orleans police increase security for NBA YoungBoy concert
Updated: 5:12 PM CDT Oct 17, 2025
New Orleans police are deploying more than 400 officers for NBA YoungBoy’s concerts at the Smoothie King Center on Sunday and Monday amid concerns about potential violence.The officers will be supported by state, local and federal partners, with security measures including foot patrols, bikes, tactical teams, drones and armored vehicles across downtown and the French Quarter. Concertgoers should expect no-parking zones and possible street closures.Officials raised concerns after NBA YoungBoy’s Atlanta show was canceled earlier this week, with sources suggesting it may be tied to possible violence. His concerts in Detroit and Chicago were also canceled earlier this month. The NOPD stated a plan in place in case things go wrong. They are urging concert goers to leave their guns at home.New Orleans is the last stop on YoungBoy’s first tour. WDSU reached out to NBA YoungBoy’s camp for comment.
NEW ORLEANS —
New Orleans police are deploying more than 400 officers for NBA YoungBoy’s concerts at the Smoothie King Center on Sunday and Monday amid concerns about potential violence.
The officers will be supported by state, local and federal partners, with security measures including foot patrols, bikes, tactical teams, drones and armored vehicles across downtown and the French Quarter.
Concertgoers should expect no-parking zones and possible street closures.
Officials raised concerns after NBA YoungBoy’s Atlanta show was canceled earlier this week, with sources suggesting it may be tied to possible violence.
His concerts in Detroit and Chicago were also canceled earlier this month.
The NOPD stated a plan in place in case things go wrong. They are urging concert goers to leave their guns at home.
New Orleans is the last stop on YoungBoy’s first tour.
WDSU reached out to NBA YoungBoy’s camp for comment.