Gretna responds to blocked evacuees

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by dissention

His version of events differs greatly from that of the people who were there. I suppose it's all just a matter of who you believe.

It is easily verifiable that Gretna sustained looting and hurricane damage and that it was assisting in the evacuation of people through Gretna to Metairie. I do not think anyone is actually disputing that.

Thus, where does it differ greatly?

[dissention]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

It is easily verifiable that Gretna sustained looting and hurricane damage and that it was assisting in the evacuation of people through Gretna to Metairie. I do not think anyone is actually disputing that.

Thus, where does it differ greatly?

Although our investigation of the bridge incident is not complete, initial reports revealed that a warning shot was fired when the crowd became unruly and the safety of the officer was threatened.

Eyewitness accounts from the people trying to cross the bridge, a group of about 100 people, said that they never became unruly and that the officer in question fired warning shots as soon as they approached. The group then disbanded and a group of around 30-40 (many elderly) people camped out at the base of the bridge, and were then supposedly approached by Gretna police later that night and robbed of food and water at gunpoint.

And what exactly measures his safety being threatened?

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by dissention

Although our investigation of the bridge incident is not complete, initial reports revealed that a warning shot was fired when the crowd became unruly and the safety of the officer was threatened.

Eyewitness accounts from the people trying to cross the bridge, a group of about 100 people, said that they never became unruly and that the officer in question fired warning shots as soon as they approached. The group then disbanded and a group of around 30-40 (many elderly) people camped out at the base of the bridge, and were then supposedly approached by Gretna police later that night and robbed of food and water at gunpoint.

And what exactly measures his safety being threatened?

Well, in that situation, a group of 100 people walking toward a closed bridge during a time of wild rumors about raping and pillaging might qualify as a perceived threat, esp. considering the bridge was closed for that very reason and many of those rumors were substantiated. In the end, the bridge was closed and the people should have apparently in the end, did respect that. I just do not see the horrible nature of the officers here - save for the robbing of food and water, which to me is incdredible as many people had no food and water and the police had it.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

Well, in that situation, a group of 100 people walking toward a closed bridge during a time of wild rumors about raping and pillaging might qualify as a perceived threat, esp. considering the bridge was closed for that very reason and many of those rumors were substantiated. In the end, the bridge was closed and the people should have apparently in the end, did respect that. I just do not see the horrible nature of the officers here - save for the robbing of food and water, which to me is incdredible as many people had no food and water and the police had it.

I don't think a group of 100 people made up of many elderly citizens, poses a great risk of committing rape and thievery. I personally don't think their firearms should have been shot at that point, but that's my opinion. Nothing more, nothing less.

I hope they find the officers involved in stealing food and water and fire their sorry asses. What a disgrace.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by dissention

. . . I hope they find the officers involved in stealing food and water and fire their sorry asses. What a disgrace.

If it happened

[dissention]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

If it happened

I believe it did. I posted the transcript from AC 360 when it first aired, I'm sure it's still around.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by dissention

I believe it did. I posted the transcript from AC 360 when it first aired, I'm sure it's still around.

Well, who said it. I mean the press was reporting things by rumor only then Maybe AC had an eyewitness, but even then, it sort of defies belief that the police, who had food and water, would come across the bridge to a random homeless site and steal what little food and water they had. That makes no sense, esp. considering the simultaneous reports that food and water were very scarce amongst evacuees at that time

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

If it happened

I saw the witnesses being interviewed on television and they seemed pretty credible.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by dissention

I don't think a group of 100 people made up of many elderly citizens, poses a great risk of committing rape and thievery. I personally don't think their firearms should have been shot at that point, but that's my opinion. Nothing more, nothing less . . . .

Do any pics of the make up of the crowd exist - or are you just taking the word of the people who were there, etc. I am not being antagonistic, just curious because that is quite an incline in the 100 degree weather for really old people who are famished to climb.

In the end, I just do not see the big deal about a warning shot, esp. considering the rumors of the lawlessness and the proven lawlessness. I mean a soft spoken voice on a bull horn representing like 10 or so officers likely would not have been sufficient. But, to each their own.