Natural disasters=looters!

[critter]

I recently heard news reports from some of the wildfires in the western parts of the country. Residents were told to evacuate for their own safety by the authorities but when they were allowed to return, many of those whose homes were saved had been looted. I find that infuriating!

In the cases of fire, floods, hurricanes, etc. when the authorities order evacuation, it would seem that they have a MORAL imperative to see that others DO NOT have the ability/opportunity to raid and loot the empty homes.

Do they (the officials) have a LEGAL mandate to do so? Might they be held legally and financially responsible for that neglect? Understand, I am talking about the law enforcement and civil employees who decide to order the evacuations (and then 'allow' others into the area), not the (for example) fire fighters who are trying to save and protect the homes in the area. (I am also assuming the fire fighters, etc. are NOT the ones responsible for the looting!)

Also, does one have the LEGAL RIGHT to refuse one of the 'mandatory' evacuations in order to remain and protect their own property from said vermin who prey on the forcably unoccupied homes?

I have never been in one of those situations (thankfully!) and feel greatly for those who are. Any additional burdens placed on them by the parasites of this earth is a greater crime than any of us have any right to tolerate!

 

[Zedicus]

I Went Through an Earthquake back in 83, and despite the fact that the town was flattened nobody was evacuated, and the looters came from quite a long ways away....
...In the Form of the National Guard.....

Yep, the guys that were there to stop the looters, looted downtown bare...

 

[greyhound]

I have often believed that in the wake of 9/11, the reason we need to be armed is not to confront the terrorists, its to confront our fellow citizens who will attempt to take advantage of the situation and go on a rampage in the event of another attack.

BTW, keep an eye on L.A. right now. A cop is on trial for slamming an African American youth on his cruiser and punching him. The evidence is weak, and it is highly possible he will walk.

I bet a lot of Korean store owners are dusting off their "evil black rifles" right about now.

 

[BerettaNut92]

BTW, keep an eye on L.A. right now. A cop is on trial for slamming an African American youth on his cruiser and punching him. The evidence is weak, and it is highly possible he will walk.

It got hot pretty hot last year but nothing happened. We had a local congresscritter say that we "don't see officers slamming little white boys" on police cruisers. We had Jesse Jackson, et al come to town.

Due to political pressure, the officer was fired before there was even a trial, but that's a whole 'nother story. Whether people will riot whether they win or lose (like after football games) remains the question....

 

[foghornl]

I was living/working in Charleston, SC Sept 1989. Some "locals" looted some of the downtown stores during the 'eye' of Hurricane Hugo. There were unconfirmed rumors that 1 or 2 did not make it back to cover when the backside of Hugo came roaring in.

Second wave of looting was when the NG set up on Sullivans Island & Isle of Palms. Private citizens were not allowed back on either island, just cops & NG. The brilliant .guv had decided to block access to Sullivans & Isle of Palms by blocking the "turntable" type draw bridge before Hugo hit. But the .guv had the bridge swung to the open position for channel (boat) traffic. So, when the winds picked up to 135MPH+, the bridge spun like a top, at a reported 10 RPM, untill the pivots broke, and one end of the bridge hit the water.

Next wave of "looting" was when the out-of-towners came in and set themselves up for roof repair, clean-up, etc.

 

[Mike Irwin]

After Hurricane Andrew hit Florida there were any number of looters shot and wounded/killed by residents protecting what they had left.

 

[Zedicus]

BTW, keep an eye on L.A. right now. A cop is on trial for slamming an African American youth on his cruiser and punching him. The evidence is weak, and it is highly possible he will walk.

*Is Very Thankfull he does not Live anywhere near LA At the Moment....*
Every time that kind of thing happens with Either Blacks or Mexicans (no raceisem or disrespect intended) in Callifornia, there's allways a Huge Riot that follows...
if it's a White guy People couldn't care less...why should the coulor of somones skin or if they are in the country legaly or not make any diffrance?

I know this subject can be very Sensetive with some people, but what is the point other than an excuse for mindless violence and looting in them rioting over what may or may not have happened to one person of one of two spacific ethnic origins?.

To me it unfairly gives many good people of those ethnic backgrounds a bad reputation just because of there ethnic origin.

I have had many Black and Mexican Friends who thought the same way, some were increadably ashamed by the actions of the ones who start those rediculus riots.

 

[QuarterBoreGunner]

Looters, or shall we say ‘opportunists’ are my biggest concern her in Cali; specifically during the expected three days without civil resources (cops, emts, etc) after a major natural disaster. And here in the bay area, ‘natural disaster’ is spelled ‘8 and above on the Richter scale’. My house is set on bedrock pretty good so I’m not worried about it coming down, more so I’m prepared for the resulting anarchy.

I figure a big ‘WE SHOOT LOOTERS’ sign at the foot of the hill would be a good start.

I was very concerned that we’d have a similar situation during the anti-war protests/riots in March, but thankfully it never got that far.

Mother Nature doesn’t worry me; I have a great deal of respect leavened with fear when she’s pi**ed off. But the human animal, now that’s another story.

 

[Logistar]

I have often believed that in the wake of 9/11, the reason we need to be armed is not to confront the terrorists, its to confront our fellow citizens who will attempt to take advantage of the situation and go on a rampage in the event of another attack.

I agree 100%.

Logistar