NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - More than 400 New Orleans police officers hit the streets Monday night (Oct. 20) for rapper NBA YoungBoy’s concert, along with state police, drones and armored vehicles.
Fans were conflicted over whether the Baton Rouge native’s concerts Sunday and Monday justified such a sizable public safety deployment, which included NOPD Supt. Anne Kirkpatrick supervising around the Smoothie King Center.
“I’m very comfortable with it, because I think it needs it with how much people are around. And I’m very comfortable because me and my son are here,” said concertgoer Carrie Johnson.
Ashton Thomas, who attended both shows, said he disagreed.
“I feel like it’s overkill, because we really didn’t need all ... police, because I know I felt safe, and everybody else felt safe (without them),” Thomas said.
**Concerts proceed after other cities cancel**
The increased presence comes after Chicago and Atlanta canceled YoungBoy’s shows. In Chicago, authorities worried about a rivalry that YoungBoy (born Kentrell DeSean Gaulden) has had with Chicago rapper Durk Devontay “Lil Durk” Banks.
A law enforcement source told Fox 8 the second Atlanta show was canceled after YoungBoy’s entourage had a run-in with police at the VIP entrance. A source also told Fox 8 that social media reports indicated other YoungBoy rivals might be in the New Orleans crowd.
Bourbon Street was packed with crowds of fans swarming the rapper late Sunday night. The commotion prompted a partial closure of Canal Street as officers tried to escort YoungBoy out of the French Quarter.
**Weekend passes without major incidents**
The NOPD reported no major violent incidents Sunday. Thomas said the concert was a good time.
“They had no fights. Everything was peaceful and calm, just listening and vibing and music,” Thomas said.
Metropolitan Crime Commission president Rafael Goyeneche said the increased law enforcement presence has been great for the city after a violent month.
“The police department and the Louisiana State Police ... their presence greatly contributed and explains why this was such an uneventful weekend, from a public safety standpoint,” Goyeneche said.
Kirkpatrick authorized overtime for officers working 12-hour shifts at a time the city is grappling with an estimated $160 million budget deficit.
YoungBoy’s fans said they were just there to have a good time, especially after the rapper took a break from the stage while serving a sentence on federal gun charges. His tour launched after President Donald Trump pardoned him earlier this year.
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