Posted on 08/31/2005 12:20:28 PM PDT by Former Military Chick
GULFPORT, MISS. - Looters are taking whatever their hands can find, creating a sense of lawlessness that has overwhelmed local police.
Water, food, cigarettes and beer are some of the most sought-after items, but even kids' piggy banks aren't safe. In unconfirmed reports, looters have hit homes on Hardy Avenue in West Gulfport where residents reported piggy banks had been broken and robbed.
Officers from every available state and federal agency continue to arrive here to help the manpower-stretched Gulfport Police Department protect property that wasn't destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
The city's police force, about 195 strong, has dwindled since the storm, with an undetermined number affected by the same devastation as the residents they're sworn to serve and protect.
The hurricane demolished the main police station, a long-time downtown fixture.
"We are very overwhelmed, but looters are our main concern," said Gulfport Police Commander Alfred Sexton. "We've caught so many people looting that keeping track of the numbers is the least of our concerns."
Sexton lost his own set of handcuffs. Officers used them to restrain a looting suspect being driven to the over-crowded Harrison County Jail.
It wasn't immediately clear how the increase in arrests is affecting the jail. The aging structure can safely hold 750 inmates, according to a federal court ruling that has hung over the jail for more than 10 years. The jail's average daily population under normally circumstances is about 1,000.
Harrison County is under a 24-hour curfew, but it hasn't stopped many people from venturing out. Officials this morning announced that police will arrest anyone caught on the street after 6 p.m.
Officers from a number of state and federal law enforcement agencies and the Mississippi National Guard have joined forces to help police maintain order. Police and deptuties from other areas of the state and parts of Florida and Alabama have been sworn in to have the same arrest powers as local officers.
Police are operating from a command post on U.S. 49 in Gulfport's Orange Grove area. They are using the Harrison County School District's administrative building and alternative school. Police dispatchers now occupy the main building's boardroom.
Police still have no access to cell phones, but are relying on their radios for communciation.
Cya troll.
I think we can reasonably shoot to kill those looters who are going to be a danger to the public. For example, those who loot gun shops, pharmacies, etc. Knock off a couple of them and the press can't hit too hard, but the word will still get out that they're shooting looters.
For the looters who would steal TVs and piggy banks while dead bodies float around them, they deserve a single bullet.
And arrest at leisure.
Is it OK to loot radios, tv's, jewelry, etc, if it's used to pay/barter for food, water and other essentials?
A few?!? What videotape were you watching. I would say there were a few alright.... a few hundred, maybe even thousand. Bring on the National Guard and shoot to kill. The looting will stop immediately, guaranteed.
That would be INCREDIBLE television.
What disgusts me about these looters is that they are wasting the valuable resources of our soldiers and cops who should be busy saving other people's lives. For this, they are the scum of the earth.
No, the best would be some hung from some lightpoles, with a "looter" sign around the neck.
no kidding....scary isn't it?
think of America is only the criminals have guns too...wow..
Society has come a long way (The WRONG way!) in very a short time my friend, and I am afraid this is just the beginning. At least it sounds like they have a "little" better handle on things in that area than they do over in New Orleans. Looks like the "authorities" over there either "can't" or "won't" do much about this type of disgusting behavior.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as well as everyone else who has been severely affected by this disaster...
Prayers for you and your family Former Military Chick. I hope you hear from the soon. My father was in the USAF for 30 years and we spent many a weekend in the VOQ's at Keesler. I can still hear jets taking off and landing at all hours of the night. What a beautiful area, what a sad day. Hugs.
What good is martial law when there isn't any?
But then Jesse Jackson would go on TV and decry the wholesale slaughter of his 'people jus tryin ta survivin!!'
Yeah? It was my favorite part. I tuned in this morning to catch some more looting video before work. I don't know why.
(looter walks away faster carrying TV)
"Stop or I will shoot you! STOP NOW!"
(looter and pals pick up the pace)
BANG. (incredulous silence) BANG.
(looters pals drop everything, run. word gets around.)
"Honest, officer, I was just going to trade this 42 inch plasma television for some formula for my baby."
Yeah, right.
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