FEMA Pulls Out of Lower Ninth

FEMA Pulls Out of Lower Ninth

The Federal Emergency Management Agency pulled all its workers out of New Orleans's Lower Ninth Ward yesterday after threats of violence and planned to request additional police or National Guard support, a FEMA spokeswoman said.

A spokeswoman for Mayor C. Ray Nagin said the police commander for the district knew of no incidents or threat complaints.

The Lower Ninth Ward was reopened Thursday; it was the last neighborhood in the city to remain closed as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Residents, who had been limited to bus tours, were allowed to reenter homes, inspect damage and retrieve items but not stay in the area, which still lacks electricity.

But U.S. Army Corps of Engineers workers near levees and FEMA workers -- who were on hand to help remove debris, set up disaster service centers and coordinate relief -- received numerous threats, said FEMA spokeswoman Nicol Andrews . About 20 FEMA workers were withdrawn from the area, Andrews said.

"It's unfortunate that threats of violence would be made against anyone, as we all work together to recover from this disaster," Andrews said. "The first priority is to protect and ensure the safety of FEMA workers. There are a lot of employees working hard . . . to help folks return to their homes and ensure they are receiving the assistance they are eligible for under the law."

Andrews said local FEMA workers planned to seek an increased presence by local or federal law enforcement or Guard troops before resuming their duties.

But Tami Frazier, a spokeswoman for Nagin, said the New Orleans Police Department commander in charge of the area reported no incidents, complaints or removal of anyone for making threats. "We have stated . . . that we would have guards out there and police officers escorting people during this time," Frazier said, "but there has not been an increase in police or guardsmen."

One relief worker in the region said an angry resident berated a Corps of Engineers employee before delivering a threat to the effect of "I'm going to go get my gun, and I'm going to kill you." Federal agents have arrested six people in the New Orleans area in recent weeks for making threats against FEMA workers, who have been advised against wearing clothing with the agency logo in public.

A New Orleans Police spokesman did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

How convenient! Sounds like another cry of wolf to me....

Even if true, maybe somebody ought to take a hint about how badly the US government screwed up on this one...

What a pathetic joke...

[edit on 3-12-2005 by loam]

They don't want to finish the job - so they're using the old "threats of violence" line to justify pulling out. Cute.

Any word on why insurance claims aren't being honored? Or what's happening to the refugees?

Years ago, I went to the local Department of Motor Vehicles to renew my license plates. I walked in and there were no customers there-- not a one. So, smiling at my good fortune, I walked up to the lady at the first window, put my form on the counter and, before I could say anything, she said, "You have to take a number," and pointed at the number dispenser.

Surprised, I said, "What?"

She repeated, "You have to take a number."

So I walked over to the dispenser, pulled out the ticket with a number printed on it, and walked back and put it down on the counter in front of her.

She sat for a minute, obviously fuming, then took the number and my form and started slamming things around, beating on the keys of her computer, hurling forms this way and that. I smiled at her and made some comment about how remarkable it was that there was nobody there, just trying to take the edge off, but she wouldn't have it. She snatched my check away from me, threw it into the register, and smacked the new stickers down on the counter in front of me, glaring the entire time.

As I turned to walk away, she said, "I don't appreciate your rudeness!"

Of course, she was the only one who was rude at any point in that whole transaction, and she was from the very beginning, and continued to be throughout the entire thing.

I didn't say anything more, and simply walked out, but I'm sure that there are other people who would've responded heatedly to her, and I'm sure that there are such people in New Orleans who are responding in just such a way to just such bureaucratic petty tyrants from FEMA. Good for them.

I find the demonization of the these New Orleans people to be absolutely diabolical.

FEMA's tactics are gratuitously offensive to those that are aware of it all.
*SLAP* after *SLAP* after *SLAP* in the face, of anyone who is cognisant and moreso to the masses who arent aware.

Unforgivable. Unforgettable. Unacceptable.

Loam,

Where did you get this story? I cannot find it on the local news.

Lily

Lady Lily

It's a Washington Post article, so seems pretty credible.

Originally posted by loam
Lady Lily

It's a Washington Post article, so seems pretty credible.

I find this very disturbing. I checked our local news websites and our paper and there is nothing about this. I wouldn't be surprised if FEMA did receive threats. I can't imagine finally being able to go home after 3 months way and there is no electricity. These people are so frustrated. I'm not sure if FEMA is to blame for this. Just my 2 cents.

Don't be naive. That's one of the roughest neighborhoods in the world. Of course the police don't know what's going on. They're part of the problem.