Consider the _____ Alternative Journalism Fall 2020: Re Consider: Bourbon Street

The drunk people, the crowds, the noise, the bars, the beads and neon lights, the live music, the drinks in huge cups, the strip clubs, and the overall liveliness is what is typically thought of when someone hears “Bourbon Street” today. It is seen on reality TV shows such as Cops during Mardi Gras and Halloween, and in movies such as Girl’s Trip. You simply can’t come to New Orleans without going to Bourbon Street. It has developed to have such a specific reputation, where people go to forget about their realities, that there are now slogans such as “Did it on Bourbon” and “What’s Done on Bourbon Stays on Bourbon”. Bourbon Street today symbolizes the desire for the spectacular, since our realities are structured and stressful. People want to be able to escape from their lives, and this street offers a wild and unpredictable adventure with limited to no rules.

“Hard Rock on Bourbon Street” (Photo by: darrellrhodesmiller, Creative Commons)

Ironically, Bourbon Street was not always the loud, rambunctious, entertaining street that it is today. Families, workers, and all types of people used to live there. In the 1800’s, this street consisted of people who were mainly Catholic and Creole, mostly having French names. The emergence of French restaurants and opera houses started the association between entertainment and Bourbon Street. World War II soldiers would roam around Bourbon Street in their spare time, listening to the live music, and gathering with the large crowds that we see today. However, in the 1960s and 70s, the residents were tired of the noise and dirtiness that was taking over their neighborhood, and the mayor at the time, Mayor Landrieu, “cleaned up” this street, removing the left over trash, making it more profitable for tourism. And, contrary to popular belief, Bourbon Street was named after a royal family from France, not the liquor. That being said, liquor is, quite evidently, one of the key things on Bourbon Street today. Unfortunately, liquor does not always mean good choices and safety.

In 2019, there were 19.75 million visitors to New Orleans, bringing in $10.05 billion dollars for the city, also a 10.3% increase since 2018. In this year, there were 390,144 residents in New Orleans. Why does a city this small have such a huge tourist population? Many reasons, but this is where people know that they can take a break from their real lives and their responsibilities, and simply have a good time. The movies and TV shows filmed in the French Quarter don’t do the liveliness and craziness of the street justice, and people want to experience it for themselves. Bourbon Street is just one of these escapes… not to mention that it is a dangerous escape.

“Bourbon Street Last Night” (Photo by: Don Pirolo, Creative Commons)

The New Orleans local government invests $8.7 million annually in the French Quarter on public safety, as well as the police budget for that district. While there are now extra cameras and police officers, the shootings, fights, pick-pocketers, muggings, and drunk people in your face at late hours are still not under control on Bourbon Street. There is violence in every place, but the French Quarter’s rate is increasing while the overall crime in the city is decreasing. In 2019, as of June 30^th, there had already been 34 incidents, including homicide, aggravated battery, assault and robbery, on or near Bourbon Street alone.

After seeing his co-worker fatally shot, Kevin Fruits, an employee at Clover Grill, would not recommend this street to his friends and family when they visit because, to him, it is not safe. And it makes sense. Bourbon Street is an easy target for crime: there are always large crowds on any day of the week, and the people, mostly drunk, typically have money on them, and therefore, it leaves the crowds vulnerable. So, while the loud music, the huge drinks, and the overall vibe of this street is thrilling, is it safe? Not always, and people know that too. The Clover Grill shooting was just one of many on Bourbon Street. Not only did this terrify tourists and local residents, but it also decreased business, because who would want to go to a crowded street that was unsafe and could not be monitored effectively? People who are excited by thrill, chance, and unpredictable events.

The adrenaline, the risk, and the novelty that one feels on this street makes the known dangerous incidents nonexistent, or at least worth it. Risky situations are attractive to some people because it leads to adrenaline rushes, which gives a thrilling and excited feeling due to the dopamine and serotonin levels within the brain. This gives people a “high” feeling, and it becomes addictive. Furthermore, adrenaline seekers can also be people who have high pressure jobs or lives in general. So, going to Bourbon Street to escape their lives for a little gives people this adrenaline rush and thrilling experience that they may crave. Safe or not safe, Bourbon Street is a symbol of how people are attracted to danger. It is where millions of people come to escape the pressure in life. But, at the late hours, is it worth it to be somewhere where the crime rate is steadily on the rise? Some would say no, but risk takers could say “let’s go”.