Do you feel safe in New Orleans?

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser said violence like Sunday's mass shooting on Bourbon Street in New Orleans threatens to destroy Louisiana's $11.5 billion industry he oversees.

One victim was killed and nine were shot during a shootout between two suspects about 1:30 a.m. near Bourbon and Iberville streets.

"It's the one thing that can destroy the tourism industry," Nungesser told USA Today Network of Louisiana. "Something has to change. We have to do something now before we let thugs kill tourism."

Nungesser oversees the Louisiana Office of Tourism.

"It appears we're not aggressively attacking the problem; federal oversight could be hurting us," said Nungesser, referring to the city's consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice overseeing police reforms in the city. "I've offered to help the mayor, the governor and anybody else. It's a great concern."

READ MORE: 1 dead, 9 wounded in NOLA shooting rampage

State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson called the shooting "horrific," but said there was "an immense police presence" in the area when it occurred.

"Unfortunately, we had two individuals brandishing weapons and shooting into crowds who weren't deterred by the police presence," said Edmonson, who was in the city Saturday.

"I think this was an anomaly. I thought the police presence was appropriate."

Gov. John Bel Edwards asked Edmonson to install a permanent State Police unit in the French Quarter almost a year ago. A tax in the French Quarter pays for a portion of the unit's expense.

"We will continue to be visible and aggressive in our response to crime," Edmonson said. "I believe our presence is making a positive difference in the French Quarter."

He also backed up the city's police force, saying, "I'm proud to stand with them. I believe they did everything they could in this incident."

New Orleans crime has been politicized during the past 18 months.

Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter sparred with New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu when Vitter was running for governor in 2015, saying the city was "one high-profile murder away from seeing (the) tourism economy going into the cellar."

Vitter later refused a State Police detail, saying they were needed more in New Orleans.

On Sunday, Republican Treasurer John Kennedy, who faces Democrat Foster Campbell in the Dec. 10 runoff election for Vitter's seat, said in a campaign press release: "The violence in New Orleans is out of control. ... We need to take action today to empower our law enforcement officers, not undermine them. ..."

But nobody can deny the shooting capped off a brutal week of violent crime in the state's signature city where three were killed and 30 injured.

One New Orleans businessman called for police to install metal detectors or use hand-held wands at every entry point to the city's most famous street, according to a story in The Times-Picayune.

Edmonson questioned the feasibility of such a plan, but does have some suggestions.

"We need more lights and more cameras there," he said.

Edmonson also suggested closing Bourbon Street to vehicle traffic at all times. The street is currently closed to vehicle traffic only at night.

When asked if he felt safe in New Orleans, Edmonson said, "I bring my family to the city. You have to be aware of your surroundings."

Nungesser believes urgent action is needed.

"We've had four straight record years of tourism, but that won't continue if we don't do something," he said.

"I don't have the answers, but we better fix it. We have a short window to correct it before we begin feeling a hit to the industry."

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1