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Crowley uses LGAP funds to buy Jersey barriers, seeks additional hostile-vehicle grant ahead of Mardi Gras
Summary
Mayor Maso told the City Council the city used $14,200 in LGAP funds to order 36 water-fillable Jersey barriers for downtown event security and that staff is applying for a separate grant for movable hostile-vehicle barricades.
Crowley Mayor Maso said the city ordered 36 water-fillable Jersey barriers using $14,200 in LGAP funds and is applying for a grant to buy movable hostile-vehicle barricades ahead of the city's Mardi Gras celebrations.
The purchase and grant application are part of the city's effort to permanently restrict vehicle access during downtown festivals while leaving controlled points open for first responders, Maso said.
Mayor Maso told the council the barriers are 72 inches long and 42 inches high, are filled with water for stability and should arrive in time for Mardi Gras. He said the city will use dump trucks and trailers to move the plastic units and that police and fire officials have met with him on the security plan. He also said staff is preparing a grant application for movable hostile-vehicle barricades that would allow controlled intersections to open for first responders when needed.
The Public Works Committee previously approved a motion to apply for the LGAP fiscal-year 2024-25 grant; that committee action was reported to the full council. Alderman Jeff Dorey reported the committee motion was offered by Alderman Dorey and seconded by Alderman Marks, and the committee vote carried.
The city's description of the barriers and the timing indicate the measures are focused on crowd and vehicle control during large downtown events. Mayor Maso said the measures reflect changing tactics for public-safety planning around events that draw large crowds.
City officials also said they are continuing to explore grants to buy movable barriers that would allow first-responder access through designated points while blocking other approaches. No contract for the movable barriers had been awarded at the meeting, and the grant application was described as ongoing work by staff.
Details recorded from the meeting: - LGAP funds used: $14,200 (Mayor Maso) - Units ordered: 36 Jersey barriers (Mayor Maso) - Barrier dimensions described: 72 inches long, 42 inches high (Mayor Maso) - Intended use: permanent roadway blocking during events with limited openings for emergency access; movable barricade grant in development (Mayor Maso) - Public Works Committee: approved LGAP grant application (motion: Alderman Jeff Dorey; second: Alderman Sandy Marks)
City officials tied the purchases directly to public-safety planning for the recurring downtown festival and Mardi Gras. No additional funding votes for the movable barricades were taken at the meeting. The city did not provide a vendor name or per-unit cost beyond the total LGAP amount used for the Jersey barriers.
