STOPPING THE LOOTING

One of the most disturbing aspects of the disaster in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast effected by Hurricane Katrina is the looting which has broken out in many places.

David Brooks suggests that the unrest has exposed the political, social and cultural fault lines of New Orleans society, and cites historical examples of how previous disasters, including the great flood in that city in 1927, did the same. This is, I think, a cogent analysis of the greater meaning to be found in the looting.

Unfortunately, that will not help the people who are being victimized by the looting. So, what is to be done?

In my estimation, historically speaking, the only way to stop looting in a disaster situation is to shoot looters on sight. After word spreads that looters are being gunned down, people who are generally not criminal in nature will be deterred, and true criminals will be more circumspect about their thievery. Thus, the sense of disorder created by looting in broad daylight will be replaced by the sense of order created by uniformed, armed men calmly patrolling the streets.

Of course, this will not happen. The reason is simple. No political leader in this country can withstand the fallout from the first nationally televised videotape of an unarmed looter (in the case of New Orleans, probably a young , black man) being shot by a police officer or national guardsmen (probably a young, white man) after he has already dropped his loot and is fleeing on foot. Therefore, Governor Blanco being no different, a shoot-on-sight order will not be issued in New Orleans. Governor Barbour in Mississippi is also unlikely to sign such an order. Expect the looting to continue unabated.