Houston night curfew imposed to stop robbery and looting - Sensationalist Headlines

[QUOTE]The US city of Houston has declared a night-time curfew as it battles the impact of Hurricane Harvey. The storm has dumped record rainfall, leaving largeparts of the city underwater, homes destroyed and over 20 people reported dead. Houston mayor Sylvester Turner said the curfew was needed to head off looting in America's fourth most populous city. President Donald Trump visited Texas on Tuesday to survey the damage brought by Harvey, calling thestorm "epic". The curfew will run from 00:00-05:00 local time (05:00-10:00 GMT) for an indefinite period. Relief volunteers, first responders, and those going to and from work are exempt.[/QUOTE] [url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-41091030[/url]

What annoys the fuck outta me is how anyone can find it appropriate to loot at a time like this. Honestly, I'm hopeful that the rescuers are going to be carrying weapons from now on. Several people have attacked members of the Cajun Navy, and it's getting to the point where even standard EMS-types are also coming under attack.

[QUOTE=Thomo;52629053]You have to be the ultimate scumbag to take advantage of people at a time like this and to bait rescuers, you deserve to drown.[/QUOTE] Honestly, anyone caught looting should be given life or charged with treason for disrupting rescue efforts during a state of emergency.

[QUOTE=Thomo;52629053]You have to be the ultimate scumbag to take advantage of people at a time like this and to bait rescuers, you deserve to drown.[/QUOTE] [t]http://i.imgur.com/RCsMV5n.png[/t] Looters can be shot you know

Can you shoot looters without going to jail?

They've raised the punishment to 5 years to life for being caught looting yesterday. This is exactly the scenario that armed neighborhood watches are needed. Does a curfew apply to the private property of a subdivision? [editline]31st August 2017[/editline] [QUOTE=TheNerdPest14;52633221]Can you shoot looters without going to jail?[/QUOTE] On your property, if you you think they are a threat you have the right to use deadly force. Stand your ground laws in Texas are about as strong as they come. They do not have to be armed and you are not expected to have to be able to prove that it was your only course of action unlike in some states.

NPR on the radio yesterday reported that people are going to houses posing as homeland security agents and telling people to evacuate, then looting their houses after they leave.

There's a difference between looting and foraging for food. If you're going to a supermarket for food and water, then that's surviving. If you're hitting up the best buy, that's looting.....

[QUOTE=Silence I Kill You;52633356]There's a difference between looting and foraging for food. If you're going to a supermarket for food and water, then that's surviving. If you're hitting up the best buy, that's looting.....[/QUOTE] No it is looting, just one is generally accepted while the conditions are right for it.

[QUOTE=JoeSkylynx;52629297]Honestly, anyone caught looting should be given life or charged with treason for disrupting rescue efforts during a state of emergency.[/QUOTE] That's pretty fucking drastic. You stole something and so you're obviously an enemy of the state? If you throw around words like treason for petty theft, it makes actual bonafide treason seem less important since you've softened that word. We have the 5th amendment to protect against cruel and unusual punishment so that in situations like this when emotions are high, we don't lose our fucking heads and charge someone who stole something with the same crime we would someone who raped and murdered someone

[QUOTE=proboardslol;52633399]That's pretty fucking drastic. You stole something and so you're obviously an enemy of the state? If you throw around words like treason for petty theft, it makes actual bonafide treason seem less important since you've softened that word. We have the 5th amendment to protect against cruel and unusual punishment so that in situations like this when emotions are high, we don't lose our fucking heads and charge someone who stole something with the same crime we would someone who raped and murdered someone[/QUOTE] You are an enemy to your community if you loot and quite possibly obstructing state and federal agencies during their operations. Looting is not petty theft during a disaster, you are causing resources to be diverted from rescue operations that could literally cause people to die and you are putting law abiding citizens at risk. Situations dictate the severity of a given crime. If you were to assault, scam or rob an elderly person, your minimum punishment in most states is significantly higher because of the vulnerable state of the victim. Looters taking advantage of flood victims are no different.

[QUOTE=Ajacks;52633447]You are an enemy to your community if you loot and quite possibly obstructing state and federal agencies during their operations. Looting is not petty theft during a disaster, you are causing resources to be diverted from rescue operations that could literally cause people to die and you are putting law abiding citizens at risk. Situations dictate the severity of a given crime. If you were to assault, scam or rob an elderly person, your minimum punishment in most states is significantly higher because of the vulnerable state of the victim. Looters taking advantage of flood victims is no different.[/QUOTE] Thieves, rapists, and murderers are are "enemies of the community" and have always been. That doesn't make then an enemy of the state, which includes the entire country. At that point, you would have to assume any and every violation of the law is "treason". Which is hilariously absurd.

[QUOTE=Ajacks;52633447]You are an enemy to your community if you loot and quite possibly obstructing state and federal agencies during their operations. Looting is not petty theft during a disaster, you are causing resources to be diverted from rescue operations that could literally cause people to die and you are putting law abiding citizens at risk. Situations dictate the severity of a given crime. If you were to assault, scam or rob an elderly person, your minimum punishment in most states is significantly higher because of the vulnerable state of the victim. Looters taking advantage of flood victims is no different.[/QUOTE] Did you ever consider that "looters" are vulnerable themselves? Sure, looting a TV makes you a scumbag, but if some store is charging $100 for a pack of water and is [I]underwater[/I], then should you be charged with [B]attempting to overthrow the government of the United States[/B] for trying to survive?

[QUOTE=proboardslol;52633506]Did you ever consider that "looters" are vulnerable themselves? Sure, looting a TV makes you a scumbag, but if some store is charging $100 for a pack of water and is [I]underwater[/I], then should you be charged with [B]attempting to overthrow the government of the United States[/B] for trying to survive?[/QUOTE] I never said treason. I was saying it's more than petty crime. And causing interference with state and federal aid agencies makes it a state or federal offense.

[QUOTE=Ajacks;52633515]I never said treason. I was saying it's more than petty crime. And causing interference with state and federal aid agencies makes it a state or federal offense.[/QUOTE] No you didn't say treason, but you're responding to people who are responding to someone who did say it.

[QUOTE=proboardslol;52633506]Did you ever consider that "looters" are vulnerable themselves? Sure, looting a TV makes you a scumbag, but if some store is charging $100 for a pack of water and is [I]underwater[/I], then should you be charged with [B]attempting to overthrow the government of the United States[/B] for trying to survive?[/QUOTE] are you an idiot or something? what the fuck does looting a TV have to do with surviving. it's called being a piece of shit human being. steal some fucking water then, not wheels, tvs, computers. they are looting to sell it when it's all over. don't be a naive fool [highlight](User was banned for this post ("Flaming" - Mezzokoko))[/highlight]

I dont see nothing wrong with raiding an store for food and water. Since some places are price grouging anyways. Raiding a best buy and that's a nono

[QUOTE=Sky King;52648422]I dont see nothing wrong with raiding an store for food and water. Since some places are price grouging anyways. Raiding a best buy and that's a nono[/QUOTE] All the employees of these stores are going to suffer under that kind of attitude. In my state, you have to be pretty much dead in order to defend yourself. I work at BestBuy - we're running a company-wide donation campaign for everyone effected, and paid time off hours for employees. Looting is not justifiable by any means. Thank God Texas is a sensible state, best gun laws in America and the way they should be. Hope these looters find themselves on the wrong doorstep. My buddy does relief efforts and he's already been dealing with this shit, he arms up every time he goes out now.

[QUOTE=SGTSpartans;52648699]All the employees of these stores are going to suffer under that kind of attitude. In my state, you have to be pretty much dead in order to defend yourself. I work at BestBuy - we're running a company-wide donation campaign for everyone effected, and paid time off hours for employees. Looting is not justifiable by any means. Thank God Texas is a sensible state, best gun laws in America and the way they should be. Hope these looters find themselves on the wrong doorstep. My buddy does relief efforts and he's already been dealing with this shit, he arms up every time he goes out now.[/QUOTE] Looting of essentials I think is justifiable. Trying to ensure you and your family's survival during a natural emergency shouldn't be a matter of economics, it should be a matter of survival. Looting non-essentials like electronics and clothes or whatever else you can think of, [I]that[/I] is inexcusable.

[QUOTE=MR-X;52633389]No it is looting, just one is generally accepted while the conditions are right for it.[/QUOTE] Trying to survive is pretty good impetus [editline]4th September 2017[/editline] Though if you're stealing a tv in the middle of a hurricane I question your priorities.

I'm the most stand your ground motherfucker out there and I see no issue with raiding shuttered stores for essential supplies if you need them. Your need to live trounces the need of a business to turn a profit on that item. Don't be greedy, don't take more than you need for yourself or your family. And don't steal shit to sell later.

[QUOTE=SGTSpartans;52648699] Thank God Texas is a sensible state, best gun laws in America and the way they should be. Hope these looters find themselves on the wrong doorstep. My buddy does relief efforts and he's already been dealing with this shit, he arms up every time he goes out now.[/QUOTE] i'm always skeptical of vigilantism in these situations because a lot of em see themselves as heroes of the wild west and then shit like danziger bridge happens

[QUOTE=Jund;52649008]i'm always skeptical of vigilantism in these situations because a lot of em see themselves as heroes of the wild west and then shit like danziger bridge happens[/QUOTE] Danziger Bridge wasn't vigilantism, it was a massacre committed by police officers. They arrived in a rental truck, wearing civilian clothing, and carrying at least one civilian weapon (a semi-automatic AK rifle). So I don't blame anyone for mistaking them for misguided vigilantes or bloodthirsty thugs.

[QUOTE=Grenadiac;52648941]I'm the most stand your ground motherfucker out there and I see no issue with raiding shuttered stores for essential supplies if you need them. Your need to live trounces the need of a business to turn a profit on that item. Don't be greedy, don't take more than you need for yourself or your family. And don't steal shit to sell later.[/QUOTE] If you're willing to murder a person over Cheerios I also great question your priorities.

[QUOTE=Mr. Someguy;52649428]Danziger Bridge wasn't vigilantism, it was a massacre committed by police officers. They arrived in a rental truck, wearing civilian clothing, and carrying at least one civilian weapon (a semi-automatic AK rifle). So I don't blame anyone for mistaking them for misguided vigilantes or bloodthirsty thugs.[/QUOTE] it wasn't but they thought they could get away with it because they could sell themselves as heroes in the chaos. i have absolutely no doubt that innocents are going to die to "vigilante justice", especially in texas of all places

[QUOTE=Lambeth;52649667]If you're willing to murder a person over Cheerios I also great question your priorities.[/QUOTE] Definitely, but he's got a point. If my kids are starving and there's a Shoprite acrossed the street and I can't find food anywhere, you think I'll hesitate to smash a window and grab food to feed them because I'll be worried about the business owner? [editline]5th September 2017[/editline] Nobody needs to die over that

I said shuttered (evacuated, flooded, closed) stores. If you're walking into operating gas stations with an AR-15 and [I]robbing the place[/I] you deserve however many bullets you catch. In emergency situations I see a clear distinction between scavenging and theft.

[QUOTE=Grenadiac;52650162]I said shuttered (evacuated, flooded, closed) stores. If you're walking into operating gas stations with an AR-15 and [I]robbing the place[/I] you deserve however many bullets you catch. In emergency situations I see a clear distinction between scavenging and theft.[/QUOTE] Scavenging would imply abandonment. When you're forced to evacuate your property because of a hurricane you are not willfully abandoning your assets, you are temporarily leaving, the same as if you went on vacation. These stores are often owned by people, like you and me. They are not all faceless corporations that can absorb all losses and not every building and its contents are a full write off after a disaster like this. I own a commercial building and if there was an emergency and I was forced to leave for a time, I would not feel like someone else should automatically get the rights to be able to forcibly enter my building and steal my goods, food or not, without recourse, simply because they were unprepared themselves and/or couldn't leave.

If someone were smart enough to evacuate themselves, they shouldn't be punished by having their business or home robbed because someone else was not smart enough to evacuate themselves.

[QUOTE=SGTSpartans;52648699]All the employees of these stores are going to suffer under that kind of attitude. In my state, you have to be pretty much dead in order to defend yourself. I work at BestBuy - we're running a company-wide donation campaign for everyone effected, and paid time off hours for employees. Looting is not justifiable by any means. Thank God Texas is a sensible state, best gun laws in America and the way they should be. Hope these looters find themselves on the wrong doorstep. My buddy does relief efforts and he's already been dealing with this shit, he arms up every time he goes out now.[/QUOTE] Yeah sorry I care more about surviving and keeping my family alive rather then the profit of some store sorry. Some places are selling water bottles for $28-40 to people that might not even be employed for the next half a year.