Looting

[Jeff Snyder]

What the heck is wrong with people?!

Originally posted by WDSU

A WDSU news crew just captured images of looters hauling items out of the Winn Dixie across from the Municipal Auditorium. The video shows people using shopping carts and hand-held carts to haul off cleaning supplies, beer and other items.
http://www.wdsu.com/news/4907744/detail.html

Seriously, you'd think that the last thing you'd want to do at this time is steal stuff. Grrr. If the building is damaged, the owners and employees are in enough trouble, without having to take loses from looters (thieves).

[B Ozanne]

I have no problem with people looting food in a disaster if they are starving.

I also have no problem with a shoot first ask questions later policy if it is anything but food.

[Cole McConnell]

I couldnt agree more.

Some people just need to be thrown in jail.

[Guest]

The same thing happened in Miami with Andrew.
Disgusting! Sometimes, tragedy brings out the best AND the worst in people.

[Anonymous]

Maybe it's funny to you. Try being one of the ones who evacuated not only having to worry about damage from the storm, but now having what's left of your belongings carted off by thieves. I wish the Governor would issue "shoot looters on sight" orders for the Nat'l Guard.

[Tim Vasquez]

As long as corporate stores are looted and and not residential houses or mom & pop places, it's hard for me to get upset. Many of the corporate entities and their owners are far better off than these people. I guess that's the socialist in me. Though if I was governor I would certainly not condone any looting, period.

On the other hand, I am pretty sure tonight will be a really dark time for New Orleans, as the inevitable burglaries, larcenies, assaults, et cetera take place. I've been trying to find a really absorbing article on this that I read in 2003 regarding the anarchy following Hurricane Andrew, but came up empty on Google. Based on what happened in Andrew, tonight is absolutely going to suck in New Orleans -- a deep darkness of many different facets.

Tim

[Dan Cook]

Originally posted by Tim Vasquez
As long as corporate stores are looted and and not residential houses or mom & pop places, it's hard for me to get upset. Many of the corporate entities and their owners are far better off than these people. I guess that's the socialist in me.
Tim

Stealing is stealing regardless of ownership.

[Andrew Geil]

Someone at work today suggested, in a sarcastic tone, that we use the instances of looting as target practice for the National Guard troops who are going to be sent over to Iraq later on.

[Jay Cazel]

Originally posted by B Ozanne
I have no problem with people looting food in a disaster if they are starving.

I also have no problem with a shoot first ask questions later policy if it is anything but food.

I agree with you on this.

Dan Cook wrote:

Tim Vasquez wrote:
As long as corporate stores are looted and and not residential houses or mom & pop places, it's hard for me to get upset. Many of the corporate entities and their owners are far better off than these people. I guess that's the socialist in me.
Tim


Stealing is stealing regardless of ownership.


I agree with Dan on this one....I mean I can understand if someone needs food, water, medicine or even a shirt, after something like this. But stealing is stealing.

[Tim Vasquez]

Certainly -- where do I differ with you all on this?

Tim

[Anonymous]

I don't think food was kept in the pharmacy or ATM machine. Besides that, this is not even 24 hours after Katrina. It's not like they have gone without food for several days. These are just the typical New Orleans animals who are taking advantage of "the man" and feel entitled to take whatever they are "owed".

[Andrew Khan]

Man, I have heard about this happening before in other disaster events...people are really very foolish and ignorant. This really makes me sick.

[Aaron Kennedy]

So what's happen to pershible goods/items in stores that are exposed to the elements (and likely to be looted)? Does it just go to waste?

Aaron

[Anonymous]

2:23 p.m.: Looters Grab Things From Grocery Store
A WDSU news crew just captured images of looters hauling items out of a New Orleans Winn-Dixie on Basin Street. People were seen using shopping carts and hand-held carts to haul off cleaning supplies, beer and other items out of the back of the store. -- WDSU.com Web Staff

Doesn't sound like perishables to me.

[Andrew Khan]

Sounds like they just wanted to steal...

[Anonymous]

I suspect some of the thugs chose NOT to go to shelters because they planned to do some looting all along.
:twisted:

[Kyle Masters]

So what's happen to pershible goods/items in stores that are exposed to the elements (and likely to be looted)? Does it just go to waste?

From my experience in natural disasters, the meats, frozen items, dairy products, etc, only last 24 hours without refrigeration, so what I've always seen is gorcery stores donating all that to shelters in the first day so it can at least be eaten before it's thrown out.

[Benjamin Sipprell]

Walmart has low low prices ... why couldn't they just wait?

shame ...

[Chris Sokol]

Certainly -- where do I differ with you all on this?

Tim

I think that they got the impression that if somebody was in Circuit City, and got themselves a big screen, dvd, stereo system, etc that you were ok with it...they took it out of context, thats all.

I think that basic needs are ok...as long as people don't get carried away. I could see somebody getting all the milk out of a store, then trying to sell it.

[Andrew Geil]

Walmart has low low prices ... why couldn't they just wait?

shame ...

Assuming Walmart is even still structurally standing...

[Bill Hark]

I love New Orleans and regularly go to Jazzfest and enjoy the awesome food and music. Aside from that, there are a lot of dirtbags who live in the city. That is why it is dangerous to visit a historic cemetary when alone or even in small groups and straying away from Bourbon St at night is not recommended. I once visited a restaurant where the staff quickly escorted me the short distance from the door to a waiting cab. I have also taken wrong turns while drivign around the city. Pretty scary.

Many areas of New Orleans are powder keg of disorder, looting and chaos. Unless there is a strong law enforcement (and National Guard presence), I worry about tonight and upcoming nights.

Bill hark

[Mike Ridgeway]

I suspect some of the thugs chose NOT to go to shelters because they planned to do some looting all along.
:twisted:

My thoughts exactly. I seriously wouldn't put it past some people to do this. I can just picture these jerks licking their chops as their neighbors evacuate there homes, realizing they won't be coming home for several days. Just terrible.

Mike Ridgeway

[J West]

WDSU just showed footage of upwards of 100 persons* looting a store, working in teams with a human conveyor belt.

Can you say martial law? :evil: :!: They are lucky the property owner isn't there with a 12 gauge.


* To prevent comments on race, all I'll say is watch the webcast footage.

[Bob Hall]

While it is pretty hard to make a case that stealing is superior to being prepared, personal survival is a consideration. It just gets into a slippery moral slope. “Trigger Effect” is an excellent movie. The plot explores how tenuous is man's hold on civilization when survival becomes an issue? When the lights go out and stay out for several days…(from IMDB.COM)

As far as looting other than basic necessities This reminds me of The Simpson’s episode where Fat Tony hires Bart to work in his social club.

Bart: Uh, say, are you guys crooks?
Tony: Bart, um, is it wrong to steal a loaf of bread to feed your starving
family?
Bart: No.
Tony: Well, suppose you got a large starving family. Is it wrong to steal
a truckload of bread to feed them?
Bart: Uh uh.
Tony: And, what if your family don't like bread? They like... cigarettes?
Bart: I guess that's okay.
Tony: Now, what if instead of giving them away, you sold them at a price
that was practically giving them away. Would that be a crime, Bart?
Bart: Hell, no!
Tony: Enjoy your gift. (transcript from www.snpp.com)

[Rob_Davis]

* To prevent comments on race, all I'll say is watch the webcast footage.
:lol:

There is no doubt, Anonymous is right. Staying around simply for the opportunity to loot was on the minds of many.

The heck with rescue helicopters. A few gunships would make a bold statement.

[Chris Nuttall]

Dateline ran a really interesting special on Hurricane Andrew recently...something like within the last couple of weeks. Anywho, they did a great job showing the looting and basic anachry that reigned in Andrew's aftermath. One reported asked a looter, "Why are you looting?" The man replied with, "Because everyone is." They also showed how some people formed vigilante groups to patrol their neighborhoods.

Definitely dark times ahead. I've been to New Oreleans twice. It is a rough city and not a place where I would want to spend an extended amount of time.

I pray for all the law-abiding people there that are trying to surivive in the face of this kind of thing.

[Brandon Clement]

People die because of looters. I don't care if they are stealing food and water or computers they should be punished very severly. First of all these looters are not even supposed to be there. If by chance they did not have any way to get out of the city they were supposed to be in a shelter. It is there fault they wanted to ride out a cat 4-5 hurricane in New Orleans despite years and years of warnings. Who is to determine what people are stealing. It does not matter, they should all be shot. Oh, how many videos did you see of looters coming out of the stores with food? How many of the looters where elderly and disabled?

Looters kill people. I wonder exactly how many people did not evacuate because they knew the looters would just take all of their belongings. I wonder how many of those people got rescued today off the roof of their house. I wonder how many of those people did not get rescued and died. I do believe that these Looters did not go to shelters so they could go out and steal after the storm. It is disturbing, but being from the NO area not at all suprising.

[B Ozanne]

Did you hear the governor of MS? He said the rules of engagement are as loose as allowed by law. He gave the police and national guard permission to be as ruthless as possible to looters.

[John Diel]

From WWLTV. New Orleans Officer shot in while attempting to stop looting.

I picked this up from the web cast. Officer arrived at a Gas Station, attempted to stop some looters and one of the looters came up from behind and shot the officer in the back of the head.

This is a report from the field and and the details aren't confirmed. If this is indeed true, I would expect a much tougher stance on the looting than what has been seen so far.

[Robert Dewey]

This is a report from the field and and the details aren't confirmed. If this is indeed true, I would expect a much tougher stance on the looting than what has been seen so far.

Yeah, like shoot anyone who is looting non-essential items :twisted:

[Jeff Snyder]

Why do people keep referring to these folks as looters? The more video I see of this (now of a Walmart in Mobile I believe -- maybe in New Orleans), the more I realize that we need to refer to these folks as THIEVES! Folks stealing TVs, XBoxs, jewelry, etc... You MAY have a moral argument if folks are starving to death, etc, but there is NO moral argument for the folks that are stealing non-essential items. Grrrrr.

[Kevin Bowman]

Why do people keep referring to these folks as looters? The more video I see of this (now of a Walmart in Mobile I believe -- maybe in New Orleans), the more I realize that we need to refer to these folks as THIEVES! Folks stealing TVs, XBoxs, jewelry, etc... You MAY have a moral argument if folks are starving to death, etc, but there is NO moral argument for the folks that are stealing non-essential items. Grrrrr.

i love the fact that they have all this crap and will not be able to use it for a very long time.

[Ryan McGinnis]

This is simply civil order breaking down. This is what happens in a power vaccume. (Coincidentally, this is why Libertarianism/Anarchy can't function as a political system -- it denegerates into warlordism). This looting would happen anywhere in any city in America if everyone around felt that there was no chance of getting caught.

At the moment there is effectively no law enforcement in NOLA. Can you imagine that? People can do whatever they want and get away with it. Murder, rape, arson... anything. I can't imagine what is going on in NOLA right now and don't want to. Looting is the least of their problems.

[nickgrillo]

Why do people keep referring to these folks as looters? The more video I see of this (now of a Walmart in Mobile I believe -- maybe in New Orleans), the more I realize that we need to refer to these folks as THIEVES! Folks stealing TVs, XBoxs, jewelry, etc... You MAY have a moral argument if folks are starving to death, etc, but there is NO moral argument for the folks that are stealing non-essential items. Grrrrr.

Very much agreed....

[J West]

At this point in time, it's time to get the keys to the weapons cache...esp. after the prision riot and all the looting that is occuring. Laws of society have degraded to the point the conventional methods are meaningless.

[David Schuttler]

Saw a shot where they where rolling a desk down the street . This desk was a desk from an office since it still had papers on it. No concern about the stuff inside that might be very important to the owner of that desk. That is plain stealing and robbery not looting. :(

[Cole McConnell]

Saw a shot where they where rolling a desk down the street . This desk was a desk from an office since it still had papers on it. No concern about the stuff inside that might be very important to the owner of that desk. That is plain stealing and robbery not looting. :(

Thats sad and pretty funny if you think about it.

Sorry if people dont think it is funny.

[David Schuttler]

They'll all be having a pity party when they are forced out of NO and can't enjoy or profit from their deeds and find it all ruined when or if they can return.

[Justin Turcotte]

I can have a little sympathy with the grocery store looters (though the video on TV showed the looters as all smiles which tells me they are enjoying the endeavor). My question is what the heck are you going to do with a TV or microwave oven with no power and water rising? There is simply not enough man power to deal with the issue and there are much higher priorities. NBC Nighly News showed a dead man on a curb. Homicide? The only good news about the rising waters is that the crime wave should get seriously reduced as people will not be as mobil. A good reason to raid the grocery store but these peole should have been out of dodge when the evac order was given. A 24-hr curfew would be helpful in theory but not very enforcable. NOLA is anarchy.

[Brandon Clement]

Just saw some video of NOPD officers raiding a store and before you say they need supplies the buggy was full of junk that would not be needed for rescuing people or anything else for that matter, like a display shelf of perfume. Another NOPD officer was shot while trying to stop some Looters. It is very sickening. Haley Barbour is not to worried about looting on the Ms gulf coast since there is nothing left to steal. Also heard of some guys wading in waste deep water wearing a full length Mink coat. It is really disturbing. I have my artillery ready in case someone tries it my neighborhood. I doubt they will but you never know. People are getting real edgy hear and bored with no electricity. WAPT is still going wall to wall with some incredible video and interviews. Streaming can be found on their sister stations web site WVUE.COM.

[Jeff Snyder]

As more evidence of the atrocity occurring, from NOLA.com



Children's Hospital under seige
Tuesday, 11:45 p.m.

Late Tuesday, Gov. Blanco spokeswoman Denise Bottcher described a disturbing scene unfolding in uptown New Orleans, where looters were trying to break into Children's Hospital.

Bottcher said the director of the hospital fears for the safety of the staff and the 100 kids inside the hospital. The director said the hospital is locked, but that the looters were trying to break in and had gathered outside the facility.

The director has sought help from the police, but, due to rising flood waters, police have not been able to respond.

Bottcher said Blanco has been told of the situation and has informed the National Guard. However, Bottcher said, the National Guard has also been unable to respond.
http://www.nola.com/newslogs/breakingtp/in..._08.html#075290 (http://www.nola.com/newslogs/breakingtp/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_Times-Picayune/archives/2005_08.html#075290)

[Alex Lamers]

That is just wrong and disturbing. It's one thing to even rob a home or a business...but a CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL? Come on.

...Alex Lamers...

[Robert Dewey]

This makes me wonder if the death toll as a result of all this non-sense/rioting will be higher than the actual death toll of the hurricane itself... :roll:

[Anonymous]

there are reports of carjackings...where are they going to drive?

[Anonymous]

Calling all flatbottom boats in area to help with evacuation of new orleans. last time in New Orleans I had a gun stuck in my face. Me and my flat bottom boat arnt going anywhere near new orlans. dont need my name on that list of dead.

[Lisa Wadlow]

I'm ok with people taking food, water, etc to survive but some of the looters down there are smiling as they're looting and a police officer was shot in the head by a looter (CNN as source). IMO these people who are taking all these non-essentials like they're free and shooting people are just pigs. How low do you have to be to do such things? I'll give a few of them the benefit of the doubt and assume they're looting for necessities or cause they have lost their minds and are in a state of panic but I doubt that's what most of the looting is because of.

[Dan Cook]

:x

[Dave Kaplow]

I heard on the radio a few minute ago that weapons are becoming the most sought after items among the looters. If this true it could spell real trouble. Heavily armed gangs of looters in shootouts or even open battles with the National Guard... Not a pretty picture.

Of course, they may just be trying to protect themselves. Crazy things happen in a society when the usual rules break down.

[Rob_Davis]

Well, I can honestly say that if I were stuck there right now, I would want to be armed too.

All the looting is pretty pointless, really. Those people won't be allowed to stay in New Orleans. And they won't be allowed to bring their plasma TV with them to wherever they are being evacuated to. If and when the looters ever get back to their homes, that stuff won't be there anymore.

I guess it keeps the kids off the streets. :lol:

[Tim Vasquez]

I'm curious about what specifically is being looted. Certainly guns and plasma TVs are being taken, certainly the entire contents of supermarkets, however I'm curious what you have specifically noticed. Maybe we'll see something interesting here.

I haven't watched much of it but so far I've seen:
* Plastic bag with about 20 bottled sodas, at a gas station
* About 50 of blouses and shirts off a rack (this has got to be for bartering or something, if not just for having it)

Tim

[Rob_Davis]

Seems like every network has shown people carrying new shoes. That ain't a bad idea. I'd say it rates up there pretty close to water in this situation.

Almost every shot I see of looters though, I can't make out what is in the box/bag/cart they are carrying.

[Chris Sokol]

Well...I guess if you are going to loot, do it with style:

http://www.wwltv.com/sharedcontent/breakingnews/slideshow/083105apkatrinawed/img/69.jpg

[Tim Vasquez]

I was about to ask if that was a real pic, but sure enough it's from WWL-TV.

Tim

[Jay Cazel]

I have heard reports about gangs in NO roamming around with AK-47s lootted from some gun shops??? CNN and Fox both said something about this. Has anyone else heard the same thing?

[Anonymous]

Yes, I heard the same reports. VERY SCARY!

[Will Tinder]

I think all the major news networks have reported this. Its scary, not only because chances are looters have guns, but it implies people have given up trying to rely on the authorities, and are starting to take matters into their own hands.

[Kurt Wayne]

Rob,

This is so much like what's happened before in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Africa (and a former sister city, briefly, to New Orleans in the late 80s).

In the last days of the Mobute Sese Seko reign (a long time African so called "big man" ruler there) he was getting rich while on the streets it was "every Congolese for themself". People would steal big electronic items and take them to huts with no electricity.

[B Ozanne]

Can you even buy Ak-47's? Thought automatic rifles were against the law. Not saying they aren't out there, just not in gun shops.

WWL-TV is now reporting that the mayor of NO has declared Martial Law. Now, techinically its probably not Martial Law but it looks and smells like it.

Edit: Sorry, just to add something else. I kept hearing that a Wal-Mart was looted and all the automatic weapons were taken. You really think Wal-Mart sells automatic weapons?

[Anonymous]

I have a few comments to make.

#1. Today, on the radio, i heard a guy call in the station, saying he was from New Orleans and was African American. He said that he wants to appologize to the general public for the way his race is acting during this time of crisis. He also mentioned that EVERYONE, including store owners who are being stolen from, are all in the same situation. (i agree with this last statement 100%)

#2.

Children's Hospital under seige
Tuesday, 11:45 p.m.

Late Tuesday, Gov. Blanco spokeswoman Denise Bottcher described a disturbing scene unfolding in uptown New Orleans, where looters were trying to break into Children's Hospital.

Bottcher said the director of the hospital fears for the safety of the staff and the 100 kids inside the hospital. The director said the hospital is locked, but that the looters were trying to break in and had gathered outside the facility.

The director has sought help from the police, but, due to rising flood waters, police have not been able to respond.

Bottcher said Blanco has been told of the situation and has informed the National Guard. However, Bottcher said, the National Guard has also been unable to respond.

They are simply doing this, I am positive, to get there f**king drug fixes... During the past days, all their stashes have been flooded or used up, they need some more heavy meds to keep them happy.

#3. These people are the lowest of scum... killing innocent people (INCLUDING POLICE OFFICERS)... When the authorities see people looting a building, they need to get the National Guard there to get in a line around the building, take out their M-18s, and just open fire in the building! Let all those suckers get a taste of their medicine.

This whole situation is just pissin me off and enlightening me even further how so many humans are complete bastards. :(

[Jay Cazel]

Can you even buy Ak-47's? Thought automatic rifles were against the law. Not saying they aren't out there, just not in gun shops.

WWL-TV is now reporting that the mayor of NO has declared Martial Law. Now, techinically its probably not Martial Law but it looks and smells like it.

Edit: Sorry, just to add something else. I kept hearing that a Wal-Mart was looted and all the automatic weapons were taken. You really think Wal-Mart sells automatic weapons?

Well some gun dealers can sell full-auto stuff but most likely they are the sem-auto kind. I just saw that on the news MSNBC all 1500 cops are back in to stop the looting.

[Anonymous]

CNN's website has footage about the armed looting.

Pentagon officials said Wednesday the governors of Louisiana and Mississippi have ordered the mobilization of an additional 10,000 National Guard troops to provide security and help with hurricane relief.

The latest deployment will double the number of National Guard troops deployed to the area. The troops are expected to arrive in the next two days and will be split evenly between the two states, the officials said.

[Anonymous]

Well, I can honestly say that if I were stuck there right now, I would want to be armed too.

All the looting is pretty pointless, really. Those people won't be allowed to stay in New Orleans. And they won't be allowed to bring their plasma TV with them to wherever they are being evacuated to. If and when the looters ever get back to their homes, that stuff won't be there anymore.

I guess it keeps the kids off the streets. :lol:

LOL! I made that same point on wx-chase earlier today. That's the truth of it, they're too stupid apparently to know this.

[Will Tinder]

Well, I can honestly say that if I were stuck there right now, I would want to be armed too.

All the looting is pretty pointless, really. Those people won't be allowed to stay in New Orleans. And they won't be allowed to bring their plasma TV with them to wherever they are being evacuated to. If and when the looters ever get back to their homes, that stuff won't be there anymore.

I guess it keeps the kids off the streets. :lol:

LOL! I made that same point on wx-chase earlier today. That's the truth of it, they're too stupid apparently to know this.


Maybe part of the looting of TVs, etc., is people planning for possible future bartering. Doubtful this will happen, but I suppose if I was on the ground in a situation like that (apparent complete chaos, no authority), I might want to get some high-end items to barter away for food. Not saying that its a wise or smart move (its really dumb), but chances are many of the people down there have no idea things are going to be gone out for so long.

[Miriam Lawrence]

Martial law--or at least, the closest thing to it that Louisiana law allows--has been declared to get control of the looting.

http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/WWL0831...s.1242410b.html (http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/WWL083105lawless.1242410b.html)

[Guest]

I have a few comments to make.

#1. Today, on the radio, i heard a guy call in the station, saying he was from New Orleans and was African American. He said that he wants to appologize to the general public for the way his race is acting during this time of crisis. He also mentioned that EVERYONE, including store owners who are being stolen from, are all in the same situation. (i agree with this last statement 100%)(

I have one problem w/this. Why should this black man have to call in and apologize for something other blacks are doing. He shouldn't have to feel the need to IMO. Whites get upset when others call on some of them to apologize for the racist actions of the past. I mean when Clinton did this some people were hot. If whites don't feel it's fair to be blammed for the sins of their fathers then who do you think a black person feels not only about this but other issues of being lumped into a category when people(s) act wrong. One black man goes crazy in Atl courthouse and we're all looked on with an evil eye. Kobe accused of raping a girl and we're all look at again w/an evil eye as white fathers want to protect their daughters from us eveil black pigs. Make no sense and is BS. Wish more people in this "Christian" nation would judge on character not color. Hate the looters b/c they're looters, not b/c they're black looters as I have the feeling most on the boards, and probably throughout the U.S. (especially in middle america, the south) are doing.

I do agree w/this last statement as they're all in the same boot but hey, human nature. Gurantee you if this situation were happening in Asia, Russia that there'd be mass looting too. I mean last time I checked not many blacks in Asia, Russa but crime is laden in those POOR areas as well. Druggies wanting a fix, robberies, sex trade. Poverty is the key. Of course no secret high % of blacks are poor but I won't get into discussion on that. I've already thrown enough flame on the fire.

[Will Tinder]

On MSNBC, Congressman Bobby Jindal has been saying that armed looters have been shooting at rescue helicopters.

I think it is time to send in a couple armed gunships.

[Amos Magliocco]

My sense is that the nature of lawlessness in New Orleans changed today. Initially, when looters were clearing out shops with food and water, or the occasional television or pair of shoes, authorities looked the other way. There was nowhere to put prisoners and no point in risking the lives of police officers who might find themselves outmanned and outgunned. I also happen to believe that officials know the city of New Orleans is finished, at least in the short term and perhaps longer, and it doesn't really matter what happens to all these goods in the larger picture. What I mean to say is that in a city about to be abandoned for long, long time, there's no point in urban gunfire to save a big-screen plasma TV.

Today, however, with armed gangs roaming the streets, the nature of the problem is public safety. Most of the people in the city are not looters. Many are in real trouble, in a weakened physical condition, frightened and unsheltered. They are easy prey for these evil bastards terrorizing the city center.

The contest for power becomes a question of which warlord presents the most force. I think Mayor Nagin's decision to impose martial law is the right choice. Yes it's unconstitutional. It violates every tenet of American justice and our standards of due process. At the same time, Nagin has a sacred obligation to protect those who cannot protect themselves. It is the most basic, foundational reason for organized government. NOPD should do whatever necessary to restore order. If we lose a few armed terrorists without a trial, no big loss.

[Brandon Clement]

I'm starting to hear reports from family members in Baton Rouge that looting is becoming a problem there. The people that have been evacuated out of NO have been arriving at Baton Rouge and dropped off at shelters. As soon as they arrive they leave and go to the nearest store that they think they can loot. In Jackson several stores where looted last night and local law enforcement has warned that it could get bad tonight. I have been able to buy a generator, window unit, 8 five gallon gas cans, two weeks worth of food and plenty to drink so I am set for at least a week. Hopefully things will get under control quickly.

[Anonymous]

do agree w/this last statement as they're all in the same boot but hey, human nature. Gurantee you if this situation were happening in Asia, Russia that there'd be mass looting too. I mean last time I checked not many blacks in Asia, Russa but crime is laden in those POOR areas as well. Druggies wanting a fix, robberies, sex trade. Poverty is the key. Of course no secret high % of blacks are poor but I won't get into discussion on that. I've already thrown enough flame on the fire.

I live in Baton Rouge and most here are saying this is what happens in disaster. people only have problems mostly with the TV's and such like that. we love the city of NO most of us and go there often and our friends and family are there. Most here realize that there are many, many poor people there (here as well) and that is just what happens, besides alot of these poeple are probably going nuts (don't mean that in a bad way). There is alot of lawlessness there right now and unfortunatly the worse comes out in some people. Of course NO has a very high rate of crime in the best of times.

[Anonymous]

On MSNBC, Congressman Bobby Jindal has been saying that armed looters have been shooting at rescue helicopters

I heard that today and many here are saying perhaps these people should just be left, cruel I know but why are you gonna shoot at rescue people.

[Anonymous]

On MSNBC, Congressman Bobby Jindal has been saying that armed looters have been shooting at rescue helicopters.

I think it is time to send in a couple armed gunships.

I was just listening to the New Orleans police scanner, and one of the folks on their mentioned that he was covering the helicopter approach. He said it had to be covered full time.

[Nysee]

I'm starting to hear reports from family members in Baton Rouge that looting is becoming a problem there. The people that have been evacuated out of NO have been arriving at Baton Rouge and dropped off at shelters. As soon as they arrive they leave and go to the nearest


Sorry ya'll I keep forgetting to write my name. Anyway.......I live in Br and have not yet heard of looting but there are people everywhere. People turned away b/c shelters are full, people that don't wanna be in a shelter and some here are getting worried. Every store you go to just about has people everywhere just hanging out ect. People worry b/c NO (though we have crime ourselves) has one of the highest murder rates in the country and many of those people are coming here. In addition they are desperate people.

In addition to all this it took my hubby about 2 hours to come home from work and then when he got home he had to go miles away to find gas to work the rest of the week. he was very tense when he got home and told me I am not to walk to the store any longer for awhile and not to go anywhere alone. Don't know what prompted him to say that. BUT let's not forget about all the good people. The majority of the people are good but the bad stick out.

[Bill Tabor]

Amazing!...I was just watching MSNBC and the reporter and cam was in a Walmart store showing and interviewing looters including two female police officers! They were pushing a loaded cart around. When the reporter asked what they were doing one of them said they were looking for looters. The reporter said looks like you found them - they are all around.

Pretty unbelievable.

[Bryce Stone]

More about police looting here:

http://tinyurl.com/dbg8a

From that story:

Unfathomably, some New Orleans police officers and fire fighters, as well as harbor police joined a crazed mob in looting the Wal-Mart on Tchoupitoulas Street. As some police officers were carting off flat screen TVs, their co-workers stood by and watched the crowd plunder the store.

I have to admit, I didn't see anything so bad about looting at first. After all, this city is going to be underwater for a while and everything is going to be worthless after it rots in the water. But I'm changing my mind about looting now that I see what a mess it can be.

[Mikey Gribble]

I have seen lots of video of looters carrying stolen goods. They walk by the camera like there is nothing wrong with what they are doing. Aside from one guy covering his face, I haven't seen anyone show any signs of shame for what they are doing. I hope that the few people that get arrested for looting get prosecuted to the fullest extent possible. These people obviously have no sense of community. They only care about themselves.
I am having a hard time believing that the reports of looters shooting at rescue helicopters could be true. I don't think anyone is capable of that level of evil. If it is true and it continues, anyone caught doing it should be shot on the spot IMHO.

[Dennis Gulley]

:( Im guessing that many of these "people" are not going to leave as long as they can do as they wish. Their hell is just beginning. Starvation, disease and violence will be their reward.

Dennis

[Rob_Davis]

On the scanner I just heard LSP dispatch officers to Childrens Hospital. The place is under attack again and shots have been fired.

[Rob_Davis]

The director of Acadian Ambulance, which covers most of the state of Louisiana on both land, sea, and air, was just interviewed on CNN. He has suspended all operations because crews have been attacked and ambulances and boats overturned.

All New Orleans EMS ambulances are traveling with law enforcement escorts.

[Jeff Snyder]

And where could some of those stolen guns be ending up?

1:08 A.M. - AP: Late Wednesday, Tenet Healthcare Corp. asked Louisiana State Police and the U.S. Coast Guard to help evacuate one of its hospitals in Gretna after a supply truck carrying food, water, medical supplies and pharmaceuticals was held up by gunmen.

\"We have to close it down because we can no longer ensure the safety of our patients or our staff in that hospital,\" Tenet spokesman Steven Campanini said of the 203-bed Meadowcrest Hospital.

He said there were about 350 employees and between 125 to 150 patients inside the hospital, which is not flooded and is functioning.

From WWLTV.com -- http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/WWLBLOG...OG.ac3fcea.html (http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/WWLBLOG.ac3fcea.html)

[Anonymous]

And where could some of those stolen guns be ending up?


Hope my friend is alright....he was helping to deliver fuel for the efforts to the gretna area tonight.

[Guest]

Originally posted by Anonymous
[I heard that today and many here are saying perhaps these people should just be left, cruel I know but why are you gonna shoot at rescue people.

Yep cruel indeed. I have no problem w/leaving those w/guns trying to kill or maim behind to rot but you can't just decide not to go in to rescue people b/c you'd end up leaving a lot of innocent people in that hell. Not fair. We as a country are supposed to be above this and so Christian like. Not supposed to look at all the same based on actions of a few. I think most people aren't seperating those doing bad from those who aren't based on certain, well one, obvious factor. And it's no surprise the stupid media is helping fuel this fire. Show the looting enough and people think every black person in the city is going wild and crazy there or in Baton Rouge. Notice they didn't give the #'s looting in Baton Rouge but just that looting was going on. 10 or 100 it doesn't matter but media will make it seem like 1000s.

This whole recovery and aftermath was doomed from the start in my eyes just based on who'd be affected and what the country all ready thinks of them to begin with. I see all these offers from people willing to house refugees etc. but honestly I have a hard time seeing it'll work. Think some middle class family in the suburbs of Atlanta will take in a family of 3 who (while not criminals) will be rough around the edges so to speak due to all the drawbacks that come w/being poor not to mention who may have a different views on life, religion, politics (I mean have to have conversation during those few months at the house) b/c of their demograhic? Please...I have a better chance of getting a date w/a hot girl next Fri (out of town this weekend :) ) and if you know me then you know that's nearly impossible.

[Anonymous]

I fled from New Orleans on Sunday before the storm hit to a hotel in Lafeyette. Earlier today in the lobbey I saw a NEW ORLEANS POLICE OFFICER checking in. She had driven her police car all the way up here and was telling the check-in clerk she had had enough and quit.

Part of me is outraged. However, part of me can understand. After the horrific tales of armed gangs terrorizing the scared, starving, and essentially defenseless people that are trapped; my family and I will never return.

The President needs to send in the regular army and these thugs need to be treated as enemy combatants.

[Nysee]

Yep cruel indeed. I have no problem w/leaving those w/guns trying to kill or maim behind to rot but you can't just decide not to go in to rescue people b/c you'd end up leaving a lot of innocent people in that hell.

Sorry I was not more clear, the reports I saw and that people were discussing were people on a roof and shooting at a gaurdsmen trying to rescue them. They were saying if they were the gaurdsmen thay would just be like "ok I'm skipping you"

[Nysee]

The President needs to send in the regular army and these thugs need to be treated as enemy combatants

My mayor (baton rouge) is now complaing these "thugs" are in shelters in our city and causing some problems and he is asking the red cross to not open new ones but I belive he unfairly classifying people though people here are worried about it. A lot of people did not go the shelters and just are wandering around.

I'm sure you have heard but the lafayette school system is enrolling displaced children and it a nice place. maybe you might like to live there if you do decide not to go back to NO. I visit there often and really like it and thier officals are being more friendly than mine it seems.

I'm sorry for your losses in NO also. My heart goes out to the good people there.

[Aaron]

From http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,168112,00.html

"Tempers also were starting to flare. Police said a man in Hattiesburg, Miss., fatally shot his sister in the head over a bag of ice. Dozens of carjackings were reported, including a nursing home bus and a truck carrying medical supplies for a hospital. Some police officers said they had been shot at."

"Even as stopping the looting became a top priority, Tenet HealthCare Corp. asked authorities late Wednesday to help evacuate a fully functioning hospital in Gretna after a supply truck carrying food, water and medical supplies was held up at gunpoint."

I hate to see this but it's starting to look like freaking Iraq down there! Yes it's a TOUGH situation and people are desperate but I've never heard of relief effort being stymied by acts of terror in our own country. How do you even help some people under such conditions? Unbelievable.

Aaron

[Will Tinder]

Like I posted earlier... I think its seriously time to, for an hour or so, send in some Apache gunships. Clear out the garbage so people who really need help can get it!

[Brian Brubaker]

Originally posted by Anonymous
I fled from New Orleans on Sunday before the storm hit to a hotel in Lafeyette. Earlier today in the lobbey I saw a NEW ORLEANS POLICE OFFICER checking in. She had driven her police car all the way up here and was telling the check-in clerk she had had enough and quit.

Was she carrying a stack of DVDs lifted from a looted Wal-Mart like the woman cop in one of the press photos that's been going around?

I know, it's probably not. But this whole situation is surreal.

I'm slowly losing my confidence in humanity.

[Mike Johnson]

This is stupid -- giving all future looters, rapers and arsonists the idea that they can do what they want without any fear what-so-ever.

Now they are shooting at the rescue people.

Bring in the gunships now!

Mike

[j_scheerer]

I dunno if this is new. Even the police are looting.

http://media.putfile.com/Countdown-looting-in-Walmart

[Will Tinder]

Reports now on Fox News that snipers are "holding hostage" 50-100 firefighters and their families in St. Bernard's Parish. No idea where, the Fox people don't know yet either, and I haven't seen it on any other news channels, so take this report with a grain of salt.

[Robert Balogh]

As long as corporate stores are looted and and not residential houses or mom & pop places, it's hard for me to get upset. Many of the corporate entities and their owners are far better off than these people. I guess that's the socialist in me. Though if I was governor I would certainly not condone any looting, period.

On the other hand, I am pretty sure tonight will be a really dark time for New Orleans, as the inevitable burglaries, larcenies, assaults, et cetera take place. I've been trying to find a really absorbing article on this that I read in 2003 regarding the anarchy following Hurricane Andrew, but came up empty on Google. Based on what happened in Andrew, tonight is absolutely going to suck in New Orleans -- a deep darkness of many different facets.

Tim

and the stuff may be insured, stealing is now ok?

Doing what one must to obtain food and drinking water is understandable. Needed clothing (i.e. - A pair of shoes, A shirt, etc)
Heck I might admire the wherewithall of someone who goes for a BOAT in a flooded town
But those looting jewelry or electronics or robbing others of their essentials are fit only to be shot and used to help plug the levees

[Justin Turcotte]

I thought this was an excellent write-up in the City Journal:
http://www.city-journal.org/html/eon_09_01_05ng.html

Another in the Salt Lake Tribune:
http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_2997225