"If you've seen Les Miserables, I'm not sure Inspector Javert is a character you want to be quoting."
Well, my young FReeper Friends, I read the book fifty-some years ago, long before the broadway musical was ever conceived.
I wasn't quoting Javert, but a FReeper who said, in essence, it is never justified to steal even if you are in dire straits, etc etc. and I sarcastically attributed her quote to Javert. Then I forgot my < SARCASM . tag!
That's a long explanation for a silly remark of mine, but just so you understand, I have ALWAYS hated Javert!!!
Interestingly, the old B&W movie w/ Charles Laughton highlights his motivation - that he was the offspring of a gypsy and a convict, and his self respect and self image are completely bound up in the absolute enforcement of the letter of the law - justice without mercy.
Of course, in a natural disaster, justice w/o mercy is probably what's needed, at least in the first few days. It's too hard, especially in the absence of enough effective law enforcement, to tell the "scavengers" from the "looters". Better to get to the shelter and get a couple of MREs than get shot hooking a couple jars of peanut butter out of somebody's general store.