More updates from Alexandria/Pineville this morning. Remember, you can DIRECTLY help refugees who are marooned in Central Louisiana, and know exactly how your charitable donation is being used. Just because these thousands of family escaped the city in time doesn't make them all that lucky. Remember, they're stranded here for the next several weeks and they've got no homes or jobs even if they choose to return to their southern parishes at some point in the uncertain future. Please don't abandon them after the headlines change to a more sensational topic!
And yes, the crime wave is spreading out of New Orleans. While it may seem trivial at first, I mentioned in an earlier post that someone broke into my car and stole my CD player and speakers during the early morning hours on Monday. However, as the days passed and I spoke to my landlord and other residents of Pineville, it has become apparent that the migration has brought a crime spree with it. The Pineville Civic Center at Kees Park is housing what has been described as a "rough crowd." My landlord does not believe it's a coincidence that the apartment complexes where the car stereos were boosted are not that far from that relief facility. And a concerted effort has been made to keep reports of these burglaries OUT of the local media, which I think is a disservice to everyone who is a potential target of these looters.
But I digress, because I want all of you to read these links and focus your assistance to the place where it really is needed the most. Now that a considerable percentage of the original motel guests have been evicted and relegated to shelters like the Rapides Parish Coliseum, it's important to concentrate on assisting them with their everyday basic needs like personal hygiene, classroom and automotive supplies.
Hundreds of students being absorbed by Rapides Parish schools -- see http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050901/NEWS01/509010323/1002
10,000 need shelter here (has good list of local places where you can offer help) -- see http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050901/NEWS01/509010331/1002
I'll post more info as it comes in.
Scanner stream back up at http://205.252.89.181:8000/live.m3u
On a good note - just received a FedEx package shipped yesterday from Jackson, Mississippi. Even the FedEx delivery guy was impressed to see the MS origin. Said he had heard FedEx moved all their trucks to safe locations prior to the storm.
And yes, the crime wave is spreading out of New Orleans. While it may seem trivial at first, I mentioned in an earlier post that someone broke into my car and stole my CD player and speakers during the early morning hours on Monday. However, as the days passed and I spoke to my landlord and other residents of Pineville, it has become apparent that the migration has brought a crime spree with it. The Pineville Civic Center at Kees Park is housing what has been described as a "rough crowd." My landlord does not believe it's a coincidence that the apartment complexes where the car stereos were boosted are not that far from that relief facility. And a concerted effort has been made to keep reports of these burglaries OUT of the local media, which I think is a disservice to everyone who is a potential target of these looters.
I was afraid of this. Don't be surprised if they "pick up help" & spread across the nation...unless they start getting shot.