[flashbunny]

On those, I'd save judgement in case they were ordered to get vital items for feeding or treating survivors. Maybe even if they were taking DVD's to keep crowds in shelters occupied and managable. Then the city can work with the merchants and insurance agencies on compensation.

If they were taking them for personal use, the videotapes should be used for prosecution and they should be made an example of prosecution for looting.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Maybe even if they were taking DVD's to keep crowds in shelters occupied and managable.

The shelters have home theater systems with power?

[rodguy911]

They did not appear to be on a mercy mission,IMHO.

[Robert A Cook PE]

You're making excuses: The FIRST ones photographed looting were grabbing merchandise, clothes, electronics, shoes, radio's, TV's, and liquor/beer/drugs (drugstores), and anything portable.

They were NOT getting food and water bottles or soft drinks (until later.) The "morally correct" (truly needful) residences getting food and water/soft drinks were still holed up in FEAR of the initial flooding and looters roaming the streets.

More tragic: Every photo or radio report of a looter REDUCES BY THOUSANDS the number of people donating to the legitimate and moral people needing help; and reduces by MILLIONS the amount given by the rest of America!

The resentful thought naturally becomes (after hearing about looters running wild in a disaster area) "Why should "I" donate to people who are stealing things that I can't afford for my own family"?

[cambridge]

I think DVDs is stretching 'essentials'...but food and water are fair game.

[Valpal1]

I saw some reports about 2 female officers with a cart or carts full of shoes and wondered about that.

Later the evening paper had picture of people in NO shelters using cardboard and rubber bands to protect their feet a little.

I sure as heck wouldn't want to be wading around in flood waters barefoot or in flip flops.