Posted on 09/01/2005 12:11:31 PM PDT by sionnsar
From Baton Rouge Lawyer Andrew Hodges on the Situation in Baton Rouge
We just got power restored yesterday at the house. Baton Rouge received significant wind damage, but little flooding. However, traffic is a zoo all over the city b/c of refugees flooding the city. Just about every gas station has run out of gas. The ones that still have gas have long lines like we saw in the 70’s. All shelters are full and overflowing with desperate people who have had little or no food/water or shelter for days. Officials have now declared Baton Rouge the “Largest City” in the state. Apparently our population has doubled (some say tripled) almost overnight. There has been an outbreak of crimes committed in broad daylight… mostly carjackings, muggings, purse-snatchings, etc… presumably by the refugees who know the police are elsewhere… many of our law enforcement have been sent to New Orleans. Yesterday at lunch, a band of armed robbers were attacking people waiting in their cars at a stop light at Essen lane, a major intersection in a good part of town.
They were coming up to cars and demanding money, wallets and purses at gunpoint. These thugs have gotten very brazen… they have nothing to lose… jail at least means food and shelter.
So, citizens are arming themselves and I don’t blame them. My pistol is a constant companion now. I think it will get worse, especially here in BR. I think we are very close to a flashpoint, but city officials are stating on the radio right now that things are under control and these incidents of crime are nothing but rumors. While I have not personally witnessed any crimes myself, I have close friends who have, so I believe them. I’m not sure if the crimes are even being reported, b/c cell phone connections are horrible.
Courts are shut down; LSU is closed until next week; it is very surreal… the helicopters are flying through the night, constantly bringing dead bodies to LSU, presumably b/c they have refrigeration. I don’t think it’s a published fact.
On a brighter note, it is great to see emergency and fire trucks from places like Los Angeles, Arizona, etc. on their way to help in New Orleans. Obviously we need the help.
10:25 am- Just got a report that SWAT teams have been deployed to downtown Baton Rouge to address a “situation” at the River Center. The Mayor has ordered all “non-essential” employees to go home for security reasons.
Keep us all in your thoughts.
Andrew Jackson Hodges, IV
Baton Rouge Parish Mayor Kip Holden said that no more evacuees would be accepted. He also called for refugees housed in the River Center be moved elsewhere, WBRZ Channel 2 reported. Apparently an armed mob of refugees entered the 19th Judicial District Court next door to the River Center.
At the evacuation centers, in Baton Rouge, the biggest request, after food and water, is for Bibles.
Hunger and thirst, but man does not live by bread alone…
Important update from Baton Rouge from the Senior Partner of my law firm, Charlie Weems - please pray right now:
Friends:
I hope this is overstated, but I just got a call from BR that said that the refugees staying in the River Center have rioted and are setting fires and destroying property in downtown BR. If you have loved ones there tell them to be extremely careful especially in the downtown area and at night.
Can anyone in BTR confirm what the situation is there?
CSW
Shepard Smith just said he's gonna give the status of Baton Rouge right after this commercial.
I live in Baton Rouge and it's absolutley nuts around here. Traffic is horrible and anywhere you go there are lines,(bank, grocery store, gas station). I've never seen anything like this in my life.
If conditions get worse, where can the mayor of NO go?
I have received in the last hour an email from a close friend in BTR that confirms the substance of these reports.
Lock and load, BTR. The NOLA scumbags have arrived.
What is happening to America??? It's like a horrible nightmare that continues to get worse.
Thanks for reporting. I was wondering how you guys were fairing in all this.
Some TV commentator?
My mother works at a hospital close to downtown and she said a co-worker was car-jacked.
What the situation with LSU? Mamzelle wants to know...
Fox News. He's there in N.O. but they have a correspondent in Baton Rouge.
This is nothing compared to the craziness American will see when terrorists hit 2 or three cities at one time with a variety of methods.
What do you want to know about LSU?
Mamzelle, what do you want to know about LSU??
Here is a church we trust that has relief operations in Louisiana and is accepting donations. We are sure it will be wisely used: http://www.wfrchurch.org/Hurricane/hurricane_relief_POC.htm
My mother dropped off several tons of bottled water down there today. She said she wasn't even allowed to take it into a terminal, the military loaded it onto their trucks and took it the rest of the way into the city.
Thanks! If there's more can you add?
i don't know about the whole of America, but the true character of some New Orleanians is on display now, is it not?
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