NOW. HUNDREDS OF NOPD OFFICERS ARE DEPLOYED TONIGHT AS RAPPER NBA YOUNGBOY PERFORMS IN THE SMOOTHIE KING CENTER. THAT IS WHERE WDSU REPORTER JASMINE FRANKLIN IS HEARING FROM FANS ABOUT THE EXTRA SECURITY MEASURES IN PLACE RIGHT NOW. JASMINE. IT’S A SOLD OUT SHOW HERE. AS RAPPER NBA YOUNGBOY PERFORMS IN HIS HOME STATE. BUT AFTER RECENT SAFETY CONCERNS, THE NOPD SAYS ENHANCED SECURITY MEASURES ARE IN PLACE. SO WHEN I SEEN ON THE NEWS THAT THEY WERE HAVING EXTRA SECURITY, THAT WAS A PLUS FOR ME. MORE THAN 400 OFFICERS WERE STATIONED DOWNTOWN AS FANS PACKED THE SMOOTHIE KING CENTER TO SEE RAPPER NBA YOUNGBOY TAKE THE STAGE. DEFINITELY A HEIGHTENED SECURITY, AND IT’S GOOD TO SEE THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY WANT TO KEEP EVERYBODY PROTECTED AND, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY’S SAFE. AND THAT’S A GOOD THING FOR EVERYBODY. A HIGHLY ANTICIPATED AND SOLD OUT SHOW. WHILE THE BATON ROUGE NATIVE PERFORMED IN HIS HOME STATE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEARLY A DECADE, AS MORE THAN 17,000 FANS FILLED THE CONCERT, THEY WENT THROUGH METAL DETECTORS AND NO BAGS WERE ALLOWED INSIDE. 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. HUNDREDS OF OFFICERS WERE ON FOOT PATROL AND ON BIKES. MULTIPLE AGENCIES TEAMING UP, INCLUDING THE ORLEANS PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE AND THE FBI. MANY FANS BELIEVE INCREASED SECURITY IS NECESSARY. I BELIEVE THAT IT’S A PROPER, YOU KNOW, GOT TO HAVE STRUCTURE, YOU KNOW, MAKE SURE EVERYBODY’S SAFE. EVERYBODY HAVE FUN. THAT’S THE PROBLEM. THAT’S THE BEST WAY TO DO IT. I’LL BE HONEST WITH YOU AGAIN. I’M A LOUISIANA RESIDENT AND THE CRIME IS INSANE. SO I FEEL LIKE THAT WAS THE BEST THING THEY COULD HAVE DONE FOR TONIGHT. I THINK THAT MAYBE IT’S BEST TO HAVE IT BECAUSE IT’S TO BE MORE SAFE. THE ENHANCED POLICE PRESENCE COMES AFTER HIS CONCERTS IN CHICAGO, DETROIT AND ATLANTA WERE ALL CANCELED, REPORTEDLY DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. RAPPER NBA YOUNGBOY WILL PERFORM HERE AGAIN ON MONDAY, AND THAT SHOW IS NEARLY SOLD OUT. REPORTING OUTSIDE OF THE SMOOTHIE KING CENTER, I’
New Orleans police increasing security for NBA YoungBoy concert
Updated: 11:02 PM CDT Oct 19, 2025
Hundreds of New Orleans Police Department officers were deployed as rapper NBA YoungBoy performs during his sold-out concert at the Smoothie King Center. NOPD announced that 400 officers will be stationed around downtown and the French Quarter due to safety concerns about potential violence. Enhanced security measures include officers on foot, on bikes, and drones in the air, with state and federal resources adding tactical teams and armored vehicles. The Baton Rouge native is set to perform in front of more than 17,000 people, and while some fans question the increased police presence, many believe it is necessary. The increased police presence comes as NBA YoungBoy’s shows in Atlanta, Chicago, and Detroit were canceled due to safety concerns.According to the Smoothie King Center, no bags are permitted for the concert. This includes purses, backpacks, clear bags, clutches, wristlets, fanny/waist packs, camera bags, drawstring bags, tote bags, diaper bags, laptop sleeves, and cases with straps or handles.Items that are allowed are a mobile phone, keys, wallet/cardholder (must fit in pockets), and medically necessary items as outlined below For more information on the concert, visit the Smoothie King Center website.
NEW ORLEANS —
Hundreds of New Orleans Police Department officers were deployed as rapper NBA YoungBoy performs during his sold-out concert at the Smoothie King Center.
NOPD announced that 400 officers will be stationed around downtown and the French Quarter due to safety concerns about potential violence.
Enhanced security measures include officers on foot, on bikes, and drones in the air, with state and federal resources adding tactical teams and armored vehicles.
The Baton Rouge native is set to perform in front of more than 17,000 people, and while some fans question the increased police presence, many believe it is necessary.
The increased police presence comes as NBA YoungBoy’s shows in Atlanta, Chicago, and Detroit were canceled due to safety concerns.
According to the Smoothie King Center, no bags are permitted for the concert.
This includes purses, backpacks, clear bags, clutches, wristlets, fanny/waist packs, camera bags, drawstring bags, tote bags, diaper bags, laptop sleeves, and cases with straps or handles.
Items that are allowed are a mobile phone, keys, wallet/cardholder (must fit in pockets), and medically necessary items as outlined below
For more information on the concert, visit the Smoothie King Center website.