Posted on 07/02/2012 6:54:54 PM PDT by dragnet2
Colorado Springs residents, many of whom have been away from their homes for several days, were allowed to return to what remained of their houses on Sunday.
The wildfires, which are being called the most destructive of its kind in Colorado history, forced thousands of people to evacuate the city as it blazed a 17,659 acre trail across the state. At last count, 346 homes and communities were laid to waste as a result.
Sadly, sifting through the rubble might be the least of their concerns at the moment. Bears and other wildlife have been spotted in these deserted neighborhoods searching for food.
Unfortunately, opportunistic burglars have been seen in the area as well; two houses were recently looted, bringing the total number to 24.
In order to keep these bandits off the streets and out of people’s homes, the National Guard has been brought in to police the wreckage.
Although some people were allowed to remain in their homes — a large number of which are still without power — the vast majority of folks were only permitted to view their property in order to survey the damage. Once visiting hours were over, they were asked to leave the premises.
(Excerpt) Read more at webpronews.com ...
Maybe, but not to Colorado Springs. This may be one of the most conservative cities in the country.
Vanreen drive.
Only one house was lost on that street at 2320 Vanreen dr. There was also visible damage to the houses on both sides. If your cousin or family needs assistance please Freep Mail me.
Colorado Springs is a dumping ground for the state (Denver) of meth heads, pedophiles, etc. because of all the charity here presumably - large population center, government resources and its not Denver, Boulder, Aspen, or other places the limo libs live.
Very strong conservative town. The looting was some various and assorted low-lifes.
The fact that there were over 32,000 people evacuated and the local cops can keep a running count of how many houses were looted is an indicator. Imagine if this had been a major city with thousands of unattended houses for the picking....two dozen houses? That’s pretty good. I acknowledge there will be more.
I’m not trying to minimize the impact on those affected, but that’s a pretty small number given the monstrosity of the disaster.
Also, the Sheriff is highly respected here and his deputies seem to be a pretty good bunch with a couple notable exceptions. The emergency responders from the city, county, state and out-of-state folks (including DOD) have been amazing throughout all of this and deserve our respect and admiration.
As a sidenote, both the DA (Dan May) and the El Paso County Sheriff (Terry Maketa) had to evacuate so they have a vested interest in protecting the empty neighborhoods. Both are staunch RKBA advocates and defenders.
So, maybe, just maybe if they had put those officers on another assignment... Say, patrolling evacuated portions of the County... Maybe some of those homes wouldn't have been looted? I don't blame the deputies - going where told. If I lived there though, I'd think long and hard about voting that Sheriff out at the next opportunity. Seems his priorities are a bit off.
Not true! The Sheriff has done an outstanding job during this ordeal.
Lock up the corrupt pieces of garbage in uniform if true.
Not true. Spew your garbage some where else.
They didn’t. They were arrested.
Obama did a photo op on Fri. in the middle of this mess, and he did it in front of a house that was burnt to the ground and the owner saw the photo op and was royally pi$$ed because Obama got to see his house before he did. Obama did not gain anything locally (maybe nationally) by coming here.
I understand they’ve only arrested two looters.
You are correct . This site seems to be full of sidewalk para rescue types who say things that makes them feel good about themselves .
Fricking echo chamber . When I was at the AFA and that damn wall 100 feet high jumped down over that ridge like hell was coming at you it was something .
Y’all have some things going on up there also dont you .
The city being discussed is government income central, and not only military jobs. As for Calirado in general, it’s administered by environmentalist, animal-worshiping NIMBYs from both political parties, who reject mining, drilling, manufacturing—real work in general. Funding from all levels of government, tourism,...that’s about it.
Your in Georgia and you know more about this than others do who seem to have all of the answers . Appreciate it . You have more patience with them than I do .
Also, the Sheriff is highly respected here and his deputies seem to be a pretty good bunch with a couple notable exceptions. The emergency responders from the city, county, state and out-of-state folks (including DOD) have been amazing throughout all of this and deserve our respect and admiration.
Yes Sir .
They feel with the arrests they have made and with the help of the Colorado National Guard they have a handle on the looting.
Burglaries in evacuated areas?
In the real world, it's called looting.
could result in a 24-year sentence per home burglarized.
And each count to run concurrent ;)He said “ We are going to evacuate you from our community so pack your bags “ .I like this man .
No. I’m not in Georgia - that’s just the flag on my page left there for personal reasons.
I am living in the jurisdiction of Sheriff Maketa and I give him high marks. See my tagline.
“Looting” is a rather generic term without a specific and meaningful legal definition. “Burglary” is a defined criminal law with a specific punishment.
Hope this helps those of you in the real world.
Oh boy, now we're going to define or redefine what looting is?
Real world from the article:
"Two houses were recently looted, bringing the total number to 24."
The authorities here did a great job under a very difficult situation. My hats off to them for their open and daily communication to the general public.
So if you evacuate from a fire disaster area, and someone comes along and steals all your stuff, this is not looting?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.