Jean-Paul Villere
As the 2013 close of another JazzFest leaves in its wake a thankfully healthy trail of mud, sweat, and beers I find myself at once indifferent but pleased, however mostly curious with one eyebrow raised just so. You see, if I get to go any given year I generally only have the privilege of going one day, and I’m okay with that. As such I tend to take it all in, looking to maximize my experience, people watching, carving out set times, and noting what, if any, differences from years past. So color me dismayed this season when as I queued to purchase my ticket and then queued again to enter the fairgrounds, the security measures in place from previous fests seemed largely unchanged – or – maybe even exactly the same. Bags searched? Maybe. Strollers examined? Ha! And the coup de gras of all contraband concealers the chair tube: opened? Nary a one. Frankly my fellow New Orleanians in a post Boston Marathon bombing world, this is not okay.
I can’t be the only one noting this, can I? In no way do I believe living in fear is the way to go and mongering on emotions therein isn’t where I’m coming from. But to see the fest in 2013, I wouldn’t have been able to tell it apart from any other year. Do you think the 2014 Boston Marathon might have some different levels of safety enforcement already ready to go? I’m going to go out on a limb here and say yeah, things won’t be the same next year. So what’s the difference between a marathon and music festival – or even a parade route – to the criminally inclined? Nothing. And okay, NOPD was notably present, but honestly I wouldn’t say any more than any other year. I still got hit up for citizen vended BEvERages on my way in as well as the inescapable $20 parking. Still unenforced with NOPD right there. And maybe that was my first indicator, before I even got close to the fest. It all felt very familiar, not at all what I, for one, was expecting.
For much of 2001 I had the pleasure of calling myself a Bostonian, even though I wasn’t even close to being able to carry the title. For the duration my wife and I lived in Brighton; she was doing an internship at Harvard, and I was slinging coffee in a green apron in Coolidge Corner. It was hilly and chilly, but the people were mostly warm. I nearly wept Mardi Gras Day watching the snow fall outside that season. I missed New Orleans, even though Boston was just fine for then. I worked the day of the marathon that year, and the city was abuzz, like a Red Sox double header. The masses had taken to the streets and shaking off that long cold winter felt amazing; I had missed the rain immensely. In many ways, Boston was my home. And watching the aftermath of the bombings there, well, no, I’m not a Bostonian, but I think we all know those events could’ve unfolded anywhere, but the un-intimidating metropolis that is the birthplace of our nation? Sheesh.
So back to New Orleans. Unfortunate events can unfold anywhere, and we’re no strangers to being knocked down. But shouldn’t we take a little more precaution? Then again, maybe we did, and I just didn’t see it.
Jean-Paul Villere is the owner of Villere Realty and Du Mois Gallery on Freret Street and a married father of four girls. In addition to his Wednesday column at UptownMessenger.com, he also shares his family’s adventures sometimes via pedicab or bicycle on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
” Frankly my fellow New Orleanians in a post Boston Marathon bombing world, this is not okay.” Are you serious?! If we were patted down and x-rayed, we would either pass out from the heat from waiting or the ticket price would be cost-prohibitive. Be careful what you wish for. We still live in America. I am very happy with Jazz Fests entry procedures and could not disagree with you more.
Jesus Christ…………why dont you just submit to a procto scan at every public event? Get a grip.
I’ve been to most of the Jazz Fests since 1973. As it has gotten more popular, and all of our local musical folks have died, from the Fess to Big Chief Jolly, and the financial support by corporate sponsors has neutered its soul, the Fest has developed into a prohibitively expensive rule laden tourist event.
And now you want to add body cavitiy searches so that you don’t have to worry about being blown up? Worry about the 15yr old kid with a cheap handgun who wants to wear your glasses.
Sheesh…ninnies
Jean-Paul, you totally misunderstand the purpose of the security check at Jazz Fest. It is to make sure that patrons do not bring in any disallowed liquids. The Fairgrounds is paid for the use of the grounds by its taking a cut of drink sales. Before this arrangement was created, there was no security check at JF.
In the early years we would park on the grounds with a large cooler in the trunk. We carried our refreshments in a small Igloo cooler around the fest, which we would periodically refill from the trunk cooler.
Now, security may also check for other forbidden items, such as metal poles, but the rules are so widely violated, I have doubts.
Next year cavity searches at Jazz Fest. Happy now?
Clearly the world will keep turning, and this year’s JF did what it always does. Too I never endorse in this piece cavity searches, body scans, or the like. Disagree, be flip, or stay neutral: I don’t care. My observation is simply that, and I obviously still attended this year. As I wrote – if you read it – I don’t think living in fear is the answer. However nor do I think keeping the same set of standards provides any better or different level of safety. Why? Because nothing behaviorally has changed.
You need to be patted-down for a brain, then fitted for one.
Yes Al, that’s what I need.
And the jerk store called, and said they’re running out of you. Oh wait, that line doesn’t work – – – how about, I’m rubber, you’re glue yadda yadda yadda.
Living in terror allows terrorists to thrive. Even the “beverage shakedown” by JF staff would catch a pressure-cooker full of explosives.
I completely disagree. X-rays and security lines are for people who won’t let their kids climb trees or play on the monkey bars. Life is full of risks. Please just enjoy it.
Um, you literally paid the “inescapable” $20 parking fee? Gee, do you fall for the “know where you got your shoes” gimmick too? You just park on the street, assert that it’s public parking, and tell them to talk to the cops if they got heartburn. Giving them money only makes it worse. Good lord how long have you lived here?
I never said I paid it or bought a beer; I rode my bike, Craig. It’s inescapable as its in every block wherever one might squeeze in a Dae Woo. I’ve lived here long enough to know these practices are longstanding, get good press on the front end of a mayoral election, and will never change.