"Everyone entering was patted down" A report from the SuperDome

[wndycty]

I guess this is the reality in a post 9/11 world, but its sad these people have nowhere to go and while its awesome that they have a place like the SuperDome to go to, its also sad that they will be living in these conditions, lets just hope they can return to their homes as soon as possible.

Line blocks long at Superdome for shelter of last resort

NEW ORLEANS They hobbled in on crutches and canes. They were wheeled in on stretchers. If they were physically fit, they lined up outside the Superdome, clutching their belongings.
With Hurricane Katrina bearing down, New Orleans' poor and infirm sought the only shelter available.

By the time the Superdome opened, the line stretched for blocks outside the main entrance.

Everyone entering was patted down, went through a metal detector and watched National Guard members search their bags. It was a thorough search -- people had to put hands on head and even clothing seams were checked.
-snip-

http://www.katc.com/Global/story.asp?S=3775312

[SouthernDem2004]

1. Pffft on 9/11. Every watching the NO news. I murder every day it seems.

Sometimes multiple. Do not need weapons in a place with such stress.

[Stephanie]

2. That is so fucking OFFENSIVE

I feel more outraged today than I have YET, and that is really saying something.

[Davis_X_Machina]

3. Drugs...

....the cops couldn't pass up on the chance to make dozens of easy arrests.

[aquart]

7. And where would they put the arrestees?

Talk about misplaced priorities.

[Cocoa]

9. I would be offended if they didn't have security

that would be totally irresponsible, and could easily compound the tragedy that's coming.

[Poppyseedman]

4. I would expect the police to ensure no weapons or drugs and

people physically searched for the protection of all

[aquart]

11. I wouldn't expect anything of the kind.

What an outrageous assumption during a rescue effort. These are the CITIZENS of New Orleans.

[Horse with no Name]

5. You know

I hate these types of things...but...if you put people in a situation where food runs out, water runs out, and it is stifling hot...I would fear for safety.
If some have weapons, it would be survival of the fittest and could turn ugly. New Orleans does typically have a very high rate of crime.
IMO, not allowing any weapons is a very good thing.:shrug:
Preparing to be flamed.

[Benbow]

6. I expect that it is so that the Superdome management can't be sued

if a fight breaks out, someone dies and their family sues.

[Boomer]

12. It might also be to SAVE LIVES

C'mon, get real. If you pack 12,000+ people into a space without adequate provisions, withering heat and humidity, and suffused with fear, you're going to have to work really hard to keep people from becoming violent.

It would be irresponsible to create a shelter without good security to keep it from becoming a death trap.

[Mutley]

I do agree.

As much as it sucks I agree. If it's as bad as they're saying it will be, people could be living there for weeks, or even MONTHS! It would be better for the group as a whole to make sure there are no weapons. Drugs on the other hand :eyes: I really don't think this is the time to worry about that.

[Launch Pad]

13. I could see the possibility...

of food and water supply running out and 50,000 people packed in there going into the "survival" mode. I could see things getting ugly real fast.

[NYC]

8. Are they worried about the people or the Superdome?

Just wondering.

[caligirl]

10. Morans, Terrorists have $$$, not likely they would grab a grenade

and run to the dome. this is unnecessary and rascist.

[FloridaPat]

14. Too bad the national guard isn't getting all that traffic moving instead

of searching the elderly and others fleeing from a hurricane. Hope there is more left of the national guard to help in the disater that might happen. Could get real interesting with all those guardsmen in Iraq protecting us from - what was it again?