you know, prisoners on the run...if that were the case that might explain the reluctance of some folks to any help....they know they're going back to the big house if caught...find a gun, shoot a cop is probably their mentality
still don't know for sure, but i find it hard to believe they'd let prisoners go, but wouldn't be suprised if some made a run either...
The rumors I've read say about 100 prisoners were released. Now on any given day in a city the size of New Orleans, more than 100 prisoners would be in lock up immediately following their arrest, but before they made an appearance before a judge for a preliminary hearing. And many of those who were in holding cells would not be violent felons. Governments have to provide protection for anyone in custody during mandatory evacuations, so it would be easier to release about 100 of the non violent alleged offenders in holding cells, than try to transfer them. Or something along those lines. Judgement calls were made on the fly by over worked, under prepared police officials who had lawyers breathing down their necks.