Captain Tropic's
Looters
Each year natural disasters destroy thousands of homes and disrupt just as many if not more lives. Many people have found their life's work mingled in the tattered mess that was once they're home. To make matters worse, many of these victims have found themselves facing the leaches of our society that have manifested themselves as looters. I believe that post-disaster looting is on the increase and I don't think it will get any better as time goes by.
Many if not most of victim's demand that our government take action and do something. The thinking during a time of stress like this is that the victims are not responsible for their own safety or security. The size of some disasters totally shuts down the government's support system. The very system, upon which they are depending, is in total chaos. This opinion is totally wrong and you must push as far out of your mind as you can no matter how bad the situation is. Think about it your depending on the people who brought you the IRS, the postal system and the ATF!
It was not until after Hurricane Hugo and then Hurricane Andrew that looting really became an issue in my mind. The storm damage estimates For Andrew alone reached 20 billion dollars. There were 250,000 homeless, and 35,000 living in shelters. Additionally 1.3 million were without electrical power, a staggering number.
In any disaster cash rules, after all the banks will be closed. The lack of electricity means no electronic funds transfers or normal operations for the banks cash was the only means of purchasing goods. Many people had emergency products to sell but they did not accept credit cards or personal checks. For several weeks, victims could not even get their payroll checks cashed.
Unfortunately thieves and looters seek out those who have cash or goods. Most victims are too intent on making a purchase or resolving their immediate crisis to be aware that others are watching them. They falsely assume no one could be so cruel to take from those who already lost most or all of their possessions. This kind of thinking foolish and will make you an easy mark.
In large disasters, the National Guard will provide a little security, but the huge amount of debris blocking the roads will hamper and delay them. Also the quick deployment of the National Guard activity mainly on town centers leaves rural residents very vulnerable to attack.
After Hurricane Andrew, it was reported that the Assistant City Manager of Homestead, Florida had a hundred National Guard next to the city hall. Yet, when he tried to send them to a problem area, he was informed they needed clearance from above, which sometimes took hours and sometimes days. Unfortunately, there was and still is a severe shortage of leadership, locally and nationally when it comes to this problem.
Before the National Guard's deployment is widely known, looting will be rampant. In many cases, neighbors were guilty of the looting and plundering. I read a story after Hurricane Hugo about three low lives that broke into a number of the evacuated apartments. When they began to pry door open a remaining tenant's door he threatened to shoot. The looters then kicked in the door of the next apartment and ransacked it rather than face someone who was armed.
I also heard a story about some low-income areas, the bars were in full swing by noon, and by dark, bands of drunken men were moving out into urban areas looking for something to do. During Hurricane Andrew, looting was common place and accepted as a way of life.
Fred Taylor, Metro-Dade police director said, "The looting has occurred in areas made vulnerable in the storm. That's mostly homes on main roads, convenience stores and strip shopping malls. The takers included young people, old people and people with little kids." In one case, a looter was questioned about his looting as he carried out a television. He said, "I'm not looting, I need this television." This is the kind of thinking that you may have to content with. I call this "the world owes me" mind set.
The Police confessed they had more important worries. "Frankly, the priority is not property, "one said. "We're only handling life-threatening situations." This is a frank admission and one that is true. Drug stores and veterinary clinics were especially vulnerable for drug theft.
One thing is for sure; your safety will be dependent on your prior planning. It is a fact that during the LA riots; major portions of those injured were out only to get food or water. If they had been prepared to be self-reliant for two weeks, the danger would have past and no harm would have come to them. In addition, I have yet to hear about a loss due to looting occur to anyone who was prepared to defend his or her property. During Hurricane Andrew, peaceful citizens packed guns to protect their damaged homes as looters pushed shopping carts through the streets of Homestead. During Hurricane Hugo, prepared neighborhoods barricaded their block. Home watch guards worked in shifts during the day and night. This system was found to be very effective.
The larger disasters experienced in this decade continue to breed looting. You always hear about widespread looting and a few arrests but nothing is done to prevent it from happening again. So during the next storm or disaster up pop the looters again. There was confusion and false starts on the part of federal and local agencies. Many victims had cause to feel helpless and become angry toward the powers in control.
In the case of Andrew in south Florida it was reported that the governor of Florida delayed requesting federal aid for three days. The federal government may not commence operations in a state until invited to do so. For three days the White House ask him if he needed help and got no answer. After everything was over and during the next presidential election, the governor in question came forward and had the utter gall to complain about the poor assistance he received from the president and FEMA! This was pure politics and still sickens me to this day.
So now that you have this background information you may be asking yourself what you can do to stop looters from taking what is yours. As we have seen in the stories from the previous page most looters will take the path of least resistance, as most tend to be opportunistic in nature. The rest are just plain lawless and pose a greater threat. I recommend you purchase what I call a universal translator and I don't mean some new electronic device. I endorse a Mossburg, model 500, 12 gage, pump action, riot shotgun. With this weapon you will be able to say no to even the most hardcore criminal.
As guns go this particular work of art is relatively safe. I believe a young child would find it very difficult to load, defeat the safety, and chamber a round. This shotgun is also quite heavy and a child would find it hard to carry around. Because it's easy to load (once you get familiar with its operation) you don't have to keep it loaded at all times. Also you can easily find trigger locks to secure it. I feel it would make a fine personal defense weapon for most any family. The price runs from about $250-$275 This weapon is a favorite among law enforcement officials across the nation. Just a few of it's advantages are, simple operation, short range, a wide variety of loads, low cost, short overall length and this is one tough gun. It also makes an unmistakable noise when you chamber a round and I would venture that this sound alone has averted a number of otherwise nasty situations.
They don't call me Captain Tropic for nothing. I have had the privilege to test fire nearly every weapon in the United States Navy's small arms arsenal. I found this weapon to be one of the most impressive. A great deal has been written about home defense and the Model 500 in particular. At the end of this page you'll find web links to sites that deal with this subject in greater detail. Let me close this part by saying that I was so impressed with this weapon I purchased one for my personal use.
The only drawback with the standard riot gun is its weight. Trust me you don't want to lug one of those around all day while your trying to recover from a storm. The obvious answer to this a medium size holstered handgun. I prefer a 9mm automatic over say a 38cal or 357 magnum revolver. They are easier to reload because they are clip fed and I think they are a little more impressive to the average thug. There are many good models and manufactures to choose from. Rugger is a good name brand as is Bretta. A good 9mm will cost you anywhere from $290 to $450.
A handgun is a little less safe than a shotgun, but with a little prior planning you won't have any problem keeping it away from the kids. You know your kids better than I do, keeping it locked up is always a good idea. I grew up around guns so why people fear them is beyond me. Our girls both knew where mine where and never bothered them. Every situation is different, so I'm not going to pretend that I know all the answers. When it's a choice between the safety of my family and the health of a looting criminal guess whose going to the hospital. This is deadly serious business and there can be no room for error. Killing someone is not like in the movies and it will effect you for the rest of your life. I've had to draw a gun on another person three times in my life. Once in the line of duty as an U.S. Navy Police Officer (suspects in a store burglary). The other two as a private citizen, one prowler (this one was one sick puppy) and a drunk who was climbing my back fence. I can laugh about it now, but at the time it was no fun at all and I was shaking like a leaf.
There are ways to protect your self from criminal prosecution in a self-defense shooting situation. One idea is to contact the local police department in advance and discuss what ammunition is considered excessive. The police in some communities frown on hollow point ammunition such as "Black Talons", but may use another brand such as "hydra shock" themselves. They may advise you use ball ammo only, which is still very effective. While you have their ear discuss the rules of engagement. In Florida you may shoot with out warning anyone in the actual act of murdering someone else. For example, 35-year old man beating 70-year-old woman over the head with a tire irons. You may not shoot without warning someone who is a threat to your person. For example, same man with the tire iron coming at you. You have to say, "stop or I'll shoot" then if he does not stop, you can shoot him. Another rule is never "back shoot" a fleeing criminal who is not posing harm to anyone. Even if he has you're TV under his arm.
There was a woman alone in an apartment in Jacksonville Florida early one morning that spotted a prowler trying to break into her back door. She called 911 and got her gun, he got the door open before the Sheriff could get to her (the JSO is very good and were just a little too far away). He was still outside when she shot him and he ran off. They later found him at the hospital. She was charged with no crime because the 911 operator heard her tell him to stop. So if you shot someone and they fall back outside don't drag them back into the house. That just ticks off the police and they will hassle you to no end.
Do not rely on the information on this page to decide rather or not to shoot someone. I am not a lawyer and have no law degree. Go out and get legal advice and research the laws of the land and obey them. When you do you will find you don't have to be a victim. Good luck and be wise.
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Thanks, Captain Tropic
