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Looters around the city freely cleaning out stores (Amazingly Honest Account)
Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | Natalie Pompilio

Posted on 08/31/2005 7:09:41 AM PDT by End Times Sentinel

Looters around the city freely cleaning out stores


Inquirer Staff Writer

At first it just seemed that the Wal-Mart in New Orleans' Lower Garden District was doing a very brisk post-hurricane business yesterday: The parking lot was full, people were leaving with brimming baskets, and city police and firefighters were there as if to oversee it all.

But people weren't going through the front door. They were squeezing between boards meant to protect the now-shattered glass from Hurricane Katrina's winds. One man was packing his van so full of computers, televisions and DVD players that he had trouble closing the rear doors. One woman was carrying three jugs of laundry detergent in a city with no power to run a washer.

As in so many past disasters elsewhere when crisis and chaos have replaced order and normalcy, a beleaguered New Orleans was beset by looters.

The widespread plundering started before Katrina had finished its onslaught Monday. That afternoon, looters broke into an emptied sporting-goods warehouse in Mid-City, a grocery in Treme, and the hardware center Uptown. In one instance, witnesses said, police were called but did nothing until one man shot another.

People said they had heard Wal-Mart had opened its doors to provide supplies for law-enforcement agencies sheltering the 10,000- plus people in the Louisiana Superdome. A Wal-Mart spokeswoman, Sharon Weber, said law enforcement, emergency-management teams, and relief agencies had "unwritten permission" to help themselves to whatever they need from Wal-Mart stores in times of crisis, but that standard procedure was for the police or aid officials to "leave us a list of what they take so they can pay us later."

At the Lower Garden District Wal-Mart, among the items seen being loaded into police cars were dozens of T-shirts, DVDs, and dog food.

But when law-enforcement officials went to get their goods, others - people of all ages and races - followed.

"They just came and no one could stop them," said David Brown, 38, a Port of New Orleans employee.

Brown and a coworker were filling their vehicle with dozens and dozens of canned goods - stews and chilis and Spaghetti-O's. Brown said the food would be used to feed the port's police and its employees, many of whom, like him, had worked nonstop since Saturday.

They were only taking essentials, he said, though a copy of Queen Latifah's Beauty Shop movie had apparently made that list.

Brown said the work showed no sign of easing.

"It's pretty bad," he said. "They've been calling for body bags all day."

Most streets in New Orleans were empty yesterday except for the hub around the Wal-Mart, in a section of the city that remained dry. People were everywhere: in cars and trucks, pushing goods in carts and baby carriages, dragging full trash cans and laundry baskets. The steady stream of cars caused a traffic jam on the streets near the store - the type of traffic jam last seen here when people tried to evacuate.

"Is everything free?" asked a woman who pulled up in a red car. Hearing "yes," she started to chant: "TV! TV! TV!"

Inside, a teenage boy held up a pair of blue lacy panties and snickered, "I want to see somebody in these so bad," before tossing them in his basket.

Another man used a table to break into one of the last unscathed jewelry cases.

A rumor that the National Guard had arrived sent people running toward the store's exit, shouting: "Come on! Come on!" But no one put down any merchandise, and the Guard rumor turned out to be false.

Some shoppers were oddly selective. One woman said she was taking only facial-care products. Another was pushing a cart filled with silk roses and baby's breath. In the pharmacy aisle, she leaned over the handle, pushing it slowly as she read labels the way a paying customer would.

But the overwhelming feeling was one of chaos - angry shouting, carts ramming, fast grabbing. When a teenage girl passed out face down between the baby clothes and a women's-sock display, people pushed past or stepped on her.

Joseph LoCascio of Picayune, Miss., stopped to try to help the girl. He rolled her over, and she vomited pink liquid all over her face and hair. He then rolled her back.

"People just walking around like they don't care," he said.

He and his friend Sandi Nolan, 21, of Baton Rouge, tried to revive the girl by pouring water, Gatorade and soda over her face and neck. It only left her shirt and hair soaked.

LoCascio tried to get a man in a firefighter T-shirt to treat the girl, but the man hesitated, saying: "She's breathing. If I took her, where would I take her?"

About 15 minutes later, a firefighter medic arrived and began checking the girl. Still, LoCascio and Nolan were furious at their fellow looters.

Both have infants being treated at Children's Hospital, New Orleans, and had come to get baby food and supplies.

"I've never seen people like this. I have drinks and chips, things I need," Nolan said. "They're getting chain saws and fishing poles, anything they can get for free."

As she and LoCascio left, she noticed he had at least a dozen DVDs in his basket, as well as baby formula and baby food. She laughed and pointed it out to him.

"They're for the kids, so they can watch them," he said. "Things like Finding Nemo."

Nolan laughed. "Don't worry," she said. "I got a few too."



TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Front Page News; News/Current Events; US: Louisiana
KEYWORDS: crime; hurricane; incompetence; katrina; katrinafailures; looting; neworleans; urbanbarbarians
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To: Thrusher

Re your post #145......AMEN!


341 posted on 08/31/2005 2:20:29 PM PDT by BnBlFlag (Deo Vindice/Semper Fidelis)
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To: IronMan04

"Being concerned about looting in New Orleans in like being concerned about the looting that took place on the Titanic the night it sank."

"BTW- I am a New Orleans property owned and had to evacuate myself. I don't care if my property is looted. Winn-Dixie does not care if their stores are looted. Why do you care so much?"

Everything will be lost by loot or flood.What is the difference?"


The difference is... you have decided to allow your property to be looted, those on either side of you may not have! Maybe they are of the belief that we live in a civilized society that have established rules and laws that keep us civil and respecting of other people and their property.
That you are just adding to the 'mob mentality' by letting them get a start.
Many of those people who survive, will be readjusted back into society(maybe next to your new house).

Your decision has consequences that are no longer just personal.

Glad to hear you got out and are safe.





342 posted on 08/31/2005 2:37:37 PM PDT by loboinok (Gun Control is hitting what you aim at!)
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To: expatguy
The crowd then marched him down the road through the crowd of tents as refugees stepped up to punch him, the children mocking him with chants of "I'm a thief".

It sucks when such a backwards country is more just than the US!

343 posted on 08/31/2005 3:17:01 PM PDT by America's Resolve (I've just become a 'single issue voter' for 06 and 08. My issue is illegal immigration!)
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To: Owl_Eagle

And the little children who will suffer? And the majority of law abiding citizens?


344 posted on 08/31/2005 3:21:43 PM PDT by jb6 (The Atheist/Pagan mind, a quandary wrapped in egoism and served with a side order of self importance)
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To: GovernmentShrinker; IronMan04

Mob mentality, needs to be curbed at the start before it spreads..the start is failure of the looters, not stopping it is failure of the govt.

Looters that are not shot will be punished in Miss. La is giving a free run..they need to shoot a couple and hang them from lamposts with signs on them and that will end that.

We are a nation of laws or we are not. Should we determine who gets the supplies by might or right? First they rob unattended stores then houses then as we have heard armed robberies...

Those needing life sustaining supplies should go to the media or their govt first and request help before looting. If the govt fails to aid them then IMO they have the moral right to do non violent acts to survive.


345 posted on 08/31/2005 3:31:06 PM PDT by rolling_stone
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To: America's Resolve

Makes you think does it not?


346 posted on 08/31/2005 4:26:05 PM PDT by expatguy (http://laotze.blogspot.com/)
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To: BykrBayb

Still following me around, aren't you. I'd say it's a schoolgirl crush.


347 posted on 08/31/2005 4:31:05 PM PDT by Hildy (a fact to a liberal is like Kryptonite to Superman.)
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To: twntaipan
If that man catches a fish w/that fishing pole and eats that fish....man will die! Everything in that water is contaminated.
348 posted on 08/31/2005 4:45:37 PM PDT by the Deejay (THE LADY DEEJAY)
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To: Owl_Eagle

These animals are now carjacking, and robbing homes at gunpoint that are occuppied by people who stayed, survived and did not loot. Not to mention the rapes, etc. Police are taxed to the extreme.
And anyone defends these animals? They disgust me.
I do not fault anyone for taking food and water for their families needs. They need to survive. But tvs? Dvds? Etc? I hope they starve looking at that blank screen (no power still). They are not Americians. Americians help each other and act civilized (with exceptions).
And yes, I DO know how I'd act. I'd take care for my family, but I wouldn't throw out my morals no matter what others are doing. (With an M4 at my side.....)


349 posted on 08/31/2005 5:00:37 PM PDT by Aut Pax Aut Bellum (No wonder some animals eat their young..)
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To: Owl_Eagle

They're all scumbags . . . looters should be shot and will be if they ever come into my house.

People who don't own a gun should buy at least one to protect their lives & property from looters.


350 posted on 08/31/2005 5:11:01 PM PDT by RightWinger
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To: the Deejay
"If that man catches a fish w/that fishing pole and eats that fish....man will die! Everything in that water is contaminated."

And the downside is...

351 posted on 08/31/2005 5:22:14 PM PDT by Aznar5
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To: Owl_Eagle
I would recommend that people take a look at post #16.

My contributions are going to the Salvation Army. I consider the SA much more trustworthy than the Red Cross.

352 posted on 08/31/2005 5:24:53 PM PDT by OldPossum
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To: rolling_stone


Here's how it is in Texas:
___________________________________________________________________________
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/PE/content/htm/pe.002.00.000009.00.htm

SUBCHAPTER D. PROTECTION OF PROPERTY

§ 9.41. PROTECTION OF ONE'S OWN PROPERTY. (a) A person
in lawful possession of land or tangible, movable property is
justified in using force against another when and to the degree the
actor reasonably believes the force is immediately necessary to
prevent or terminate the other's trespass on the land or unlawful
interference with the property.
(b) A person unlawfully dispossessed of land or tangible,
movable property by another is justified in using force against the
other when and to the degree the actor reasonably believes the force
is immediately necessary to reenter the land or recover the
property if the actor uses the force immediately or in fresh pursuit
after the dispossession and:
(1) the actor reasonably believes the other had no
claim of right when he dispossessed the actor; or
(2) the other accomplished the dispossession by using
force, threat, or fraud against the actor.

Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974.
Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, § 1.01, eff. Sept. 1,
1994.


§ 9.42. DEADLY FORCE TO PROTECT PROPERTY. A person is
justified in using deadly force against another to protect land or
tangible, movable property:
(1) if he would be justified in using force against the
other under Section 9.41; and
(2) when and to the degree he reasonably believes the
deadly force is immediately necessary:
(A) to prevent the other's imminent commission of
arson, burglary, robbery, aggravated robbery, theft during the
nighttime, or criminal mischief during the nighttime; or
(B) to prevent the other who is fleeing
immediately after committing burglary, robbery, aggravated
robbery, or theft during the nighttime from escaping with the
property; and
(3) he reasonably believes that:
(A) the land or property cannot be protected or
recovered by any other means; or
(B) the use of force other than deadly force to
protect or recover the land or property would expose the actor or
another to a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury.

Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974.
Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, § 1.01, eff. Sept. 1,
1994.


§ 9.43. PROTECTION OF THIRD PERSON'S PROPERTY. A person
is justified in using force or deadly force against another to
protect land or tangible, movable property of a third person if,
under the circumstances as he reasonably believes them to be, the
actor would be justified under Section 9.41 or 9.42 in using force
or deadly force to protect his own land or property and:
(1) the actor reasonably believes the unlawful
interference constitutes attempted or consummated theft of or
criminal mischief to the tangible, movable property; or
(2) the actor reasonably believes that:
(A) the third person has requested his protection
of the land or property;
(B) he has a legal duty to protect the third
person's land or property; or
(C) the third person whose land or property he
uses force or deadly force to protect is the actor's spouse, parent,
or child, resides with the actor, or is under the actor's care.

Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974.
Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, § 1.01, eff. Sept. 1,
1994.


§ 9.44. USE OF DEVICE TO PROTECT PROPERTY. The
justification afforded by Sections 9.41 and 9.43 applies to the use
of a device to protect land or tangible, movable property if:
(1) the device is not designed to cause, or known by
the actor to create a substantial risk of causing, death or serious
bodily injury; and
(2) use of the device is reasonable under all the
circumstances as the actor reasonably believes them to be when he
installs the device.

Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974.
Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 913, ch. 342, § 6, eff. Sept.
1, 1975. Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, § 1.01, eff. Sept. 1,
1994.


353 posted on 08/31/2005 5:31:16 PM PDT by BigDaddyTX (Don't Mex with Texas)
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To: Hildy

Get over your fantasies. If you're going to stay at Free Republic, you should expect to run into conservatives. If you can't handle it, leave.


354 posted on 08/31/2005 5:39:28 PM PDT by BykrBayb (Impeach Judge Greer - In memory of Terri <strike>Schiavo</strike> Schindler - www.terrisfight.org)
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To: Hildy

Just to be a little more clear, I am not the one pushing the homosexual agenda, and I am not guilty of the homosexual crush you accused me of. You should seek professional help.


355 posted on 08/31/2005 5:45:23 PM PDT by BykrBayb (Impeach Judge Greer - In memory of Terri <strike>Schiavo</strike> Schindler - www.terrisfight.org)
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To: Hildy
You have no idea what you would do in those circumstances.

Yes I do, and it would be following the law of the land! Without the law there is chaos, as we are now seeing which you seem to support by your comments........

356 posted on 08/31/2005 5:52:01 PM PDT by Hot Tabasco (I'm tired of idiots and don't have enough ammo to shoot them all.......Jeez, I hate that thought!)
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To: expatguy
Indonesia's system of street justice

Works for me.......

357 posted on 08/31/2005 5:54:47 PM PDT by Hot Tabasco (I'm tired of idiots and don't have enough ammo to shoot them all.......Jeez, I hate that thought!)
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To: Owl_Eagle

I will think long and hard before making any donation to New Orleans or Houston...or to the Red Cross. I just heard on TV that Houston is kicking out all the New Orleans refugees who arrived there on Monday or Tuesday, and won't let them into the Astrodome. Mind you, these are the responsible people who took their families far out of harm's way.

When asked by the reporter why these people could not be accommodated at the Astrodome, the Red Cross spokesperson said, "It's a matter of control. And we have to make sure we have room for those being shipped in from the Superdome".

HUH???


358 posted on 08/31/2005 6:01:12 PM PDT by Palladin (America! America! God shed His grace on Thee.)
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To: Phantom Lord

>>>They are only doing it for food and baby supplies. After all they are only days away from canabalism!<<<

Most of the people I've seen going into and out of the Dome look like they could go a month without food and be none the worse for wear.


359 posted on 08/31/2005 6:04:01 PM PDT by Palladin (America! America! God shed His grace on Thee.)
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To: Kokojmudd

I realize that these scumbags who are looting the stores are a small minority of creeps and crooks , but they are members of a larger group of twisted Americans who Rush Limbaugh years ago labeled as " the takers " . Whether it is looting , welfare fraud , etc...all these freaks share the GIVE ME mentality and make me puke . Thanks to the Libs for creating these monsters .


360 posted on 08/31/2005 6:21:39 PM PDT by sushiman
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