Lions tailgate security top of mind in wake of New Orleans terror attack

DETROIT (FOX 2) – Security is top of mind for many in the wake of the New Orleans tragedy – but what does this mean for Sunday night’s Lions game against the Vikings?

Eastern Market is home to Lions tailgaters, and one business owner tell us as sad as the tragedy was, he expects people will still be out there enjoying themselves.

Bert Dearing is owner of Bert’s Marketplace and is still in shock over the tragedy that struck New Orleans on New Year’s Day.

“Whew, it’s hard to explain,” he said. “I know we’ve got fanatics all over the world or whatever, but why take other folks’ family.”

Fifteen people died after a truck plowed into the crowds on Bourbon Street, leaving many others injured.

“I feel for the families, they’re on vacation, just there trying to enjoy themselves,” he said. “And it’s nothing like New Orleans at all.”

Dearing says New Orleans is his favorite city.  He currently owns Bert’s Marketplace in Eastern Market and back in the 1970s, when he owned his first bar, he’d take the whole group down there for Mardi Gras.

“I would drive down there every other week 17 hours,” he said.

After Wednesday’s tragedy, New Orleans law enforcement upped patrols and security, especially for Thursday’s Sugar Bowl.

Dearing says he expects the same to happen here. It is what Detroit police did after two victims were fatally shot at Eastern Market in September.

“The shooting that they had maybe about two months ago,” Dearing said. “I think the police did a hell of a job and you can see the police presence here. The market is safe.”

Katy Trudeau, the president of the Eastern Market Partnership, says safety is key for them, especially for this Sunday’s Lions game.

She provided a statement which reads in part:

“We will deploy the same enhanced safety and security protocols that we rolled out in October on Sunday and as always will work in close coordination with the Detroit Police Department to ensure the highest public safety measures are in place throughout the day.”

Dearing says Eastern Market is one of the safest places in the city – and he expects it to be packed.

“It’s all about the Detroit Lions. What happened in New Orleans, people here, I think they’re sorry that it happened at all. But we’re going to come celebrate the Detroit Lions this week.”

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