When are Americans going to begin asking the obvious question: “Is this how the much-vaunted Homeland Security Department handles a real disaster?”
WWLTV.com | News for New Orleans, Louisiana | Local News
(AP) The evacuation of the Superdome was suspended Thursday after shots were fired at a military helicopter, an ambulance official overseeing the operation said. No immediate injuries were reported.
"We have suspended operations until they gain control of the Superdome," said Richard Zeuschlag, head of Acadian Ambulance, which was handling the evacuation of sick and injured people from the Superdome.
He said that military would not fly out of the Superdome either because of the gunfire and that the National Guard told him that it was sending 100 military police officers to gain control.
"That’s not enough," Zeuschlag. "We need a thousand."
New Orleans Police Department Status: The situation for the NOPD
is critical. This is firsthand information I have from an NOPD officer
we’re giving shelter to. Their command and control infrastructure is
shot. They have limited to no communication whatsoever. He didn’t even
know the city was under martial law until we told him! His precinct
(5th Precinct) is under water! UNDER WATER — every vehicle under
water. They had to commander moving trucks like Ryder and UHaul to get
around. The coroner’s office is shut down so bodies are being covered
in leaves at best or left where they lie at worst.
They don’t
even know their own rules of engagement. He says the force is impotent
right now. They have no idea what’s going on, no coordination,
virtually no comms, etc. the National Guard is gonna air drop a radio
system for them with 200 radios? They are getting very little direction.
The 3rd District bugged out to Baton Rouge because they flooded out.
His quote: "It’s a zoo."
——
More from the Police Officer. I’m typing as fast as i can while he talks to us:He’s
only hearing bits and pieces. The people in the city are shooting at
the police. They’re upset that they’re not getting help quickly enough.
The fireman keep calling because they’re under fire. He doesn’t
understand why the people are shooting at the rescuers. Here it is 5
days ago the Mayor said get out of town and nobody went and now they’re
pissed.
The National Guard was at the Hilton, but now the
Hilton is evacuated. When they said the CBD was gonna get 6 feet of
water, it seems like everyone evacuated.
He turned the corner
onto Canal Street and it looked like a flea market. People breaking
into every store, going to the neutral gound (median) and trading and
selling everything.
They broke into Winn Dixie Monday Night. Do
they steal food? No. Cigarettes and liquor. Store was a mess. All the
meats were going to waste so the districts went over there to salvage
food for officers. Many cops have been eating MREs.
The
Iberville Housing Projects got pissed off because the police started to
"shop" after they kicked out looters. Then they started shooting at
cops. When the cops left, the looters looted everything. There’s
probably not a grocery left in this city.
Over 30 officers have
quit over the last 3 days. Out of 160 officers in his district maybe 55
or 60 are working. He hasn’t seen several since Sunday. HQ is closed,
evacuated. No phones to contact them.
"HQ, be advised, we’re going 10 7."
"Ok, y’all coming back on???"
"We don’t know."