[Marxism] People of Gulfport, Miss., defy police, 24 hr. curfew, to get food and water

["Fred Feldman" <ffeldman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

And a judge orders release of people packed into jail for misdemeanors
to make room for "looters" -- another small gain for the people.  No
mention of race re these "criminals," but perhaps we can hazard a guess.
Fred Feldman

(From Knight-Ridder website)
Looting overwhelms police in Gulfport, Miss.

By ROBIN FITZGERALD

Biloxi (Miss.) Sun Herald


GULFPORT, MISS. - Looters are taking whatever their hands can find,
creating a sense of lawlessness that has overwhelmed local police.

Water, food, cigarettes and beer are some of the most sought-after
items, but even kids' piggy banks aren't safe. In unconfirmed reports,
looters have hit homes on Hardy Avenue in West Gulfport where residents
reported piggy banks had been broken and robbed.

Officers from every available state and federal agency continue to
arrive here to help the manpower-stretched Gulfport Police Department
protect property that wasn't destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

The city's police force, about 195 strong, has dwindled since the storm,
with an undetermined number affected by the same devastation as the
residents they're sworn to serve and protect.

The hurricane demolished the main police station, a long-time downtown
fixture.

"We are very overwhelmed, but looters are our main concern," said
Gulfport Police Commander Alfred Sexton. "We've caught so many people
looting that keeping track of the numbers is the least of our concerns."


Sexton lost his own set of handcuffs. Officers used them to restrain a
looting suspect being driven to the over-crowded Harrison County Jail.

Biloxi Municiapl Court Judge Eugene Henry issued an order to release all
Harrison County Jail inmates housed on misdemeanor charges filed by city
police. This will reduce the inmate population by 20 to 30 people and
won't involve defendants who are a threat to the community, said Vincent
Creel, city spokesman.

"It will make more room for looters and anyone accused of a violent
crime," Creel said.

It wasn't clear if other municipal or justice court judges are
considering similar orders. Biloxi police arrested seven suspected
looters by midday Tuesday.

It wasn't immediately clear how the increase in arrests is affecting the
jail. The aging structure can safely hold 750 inmates, according to a
federal court ruling that has hung over the jail for more than 10 years.
The jail's average daily population under normally circumstances is
about 1,000.

Harrison County is under a 24-hour curfew, but it hasn't stopped many
people from venturing out. Officials this morning announced that police
will arrest anyone caught on the street after 6 p.m.

Officers from a number of state and federal law enforcement agencies and
the Mississippi National Guard have joined forces to help police
maintain order. Police and deptuties from other areas of the state and
parts of Florida and Alabama have been sworn in to have the same arrest
powers as local officers.

Police are operating from a command post on U.S. 49 in Gulfport's Orange
Grove area. They are using the Harrison County School District's
administrative building and alternative school. Police dispatchers now
occupy the main building's boardroom.

Police still have no access to cell phones, but are relying on their
radios for communciation.


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