Page 1 of 2

Price-gouging during natural disaster

Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 10:09 am
by Texian
There is a thread running on another forum about this. Just wonder if this is SOP during emergencies in Texas.

http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/ ... -2008.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Port Arthur officials now say evacuation transportation will continue
By BLAIR DEDRICK ORTMANN
September, 11, 2008

Port Arthur evacuation transportation from the Civic Center will continue as long as weather permits and resources are available, according to a press release issued at 6 p.m.

Earlier information said that evacuation transportation would cease at 9 tonight.

Citizens who have their own transportation should use their own transportation and not rely on the buses.

Pre-arranged shelters are not capable of handling medical special-needs persons.

If citizens need transportation to the civic center they should call 983-8767, and 983-8794.

Citizens should arrive at the Civic Center with photo ID and try to limit their baggage as much as possible with only essential needs including prescription medication. No weapons, including firearms. This no firearm rule applies to those persons with Concealed Handgun licenses.

Pets must be restrained in a pet carrier. Unsecured animals will not be allowed on the buses or in the shelters.

Evacuation transportation operations are set to cease in Beaumont at 6 a.m. Friday, according to a press release from Southeast Emergency Management officials.

The City of Beaumont is responsible for assisting it's residents as well as those citizens from the surrounding rural area's such as, but not limited to, Fannett, Cheek, China and Nome.

Citizens choosing to evacuate by bus should make their way to their local assembly sites as soon as possible.

Citizens are asked to pack their necessary clothing items, medications, important papers, identification, etc. Citizens can catch a bus ride from the following sites:

- Dunbar Elementary, 825 Jackson

- French Elementary, 3525 Cleveland

- Martin Luther King Middle School, 1400 Ave A

- Ozen High School, 3443 Fannett Rd

- Smith Middle Sdchool, 4415 Concord

- South Park Middle School, 4500 Highland Ave

The main assembly Point is Westbrook High School, 8750 Phelan Blvd. If someone has a car and can get to Westbrook, he or she can be evacuated by bus.

Re: CHL Carry prohibited Port Arthur Civic Center shelter

Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 10:12 am
by The Annoyed Man
Notice that all of these locations are schools.

Re: CHL Carry prohibited Port Arthur Civic Center shelter

Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 10:19 am
by DoubleJ
man, that's messed up!

Re: CHL Carry prohibited Port Arthur Civic Center shelter

Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 3:46 pm
by KFP
It could be the long day I've had, but I read (quickly) through the article and think that the schools may be points to pick up a bus to go to the civic center for shelter. I don't see how carrying could be restricted in the civic center?

Re: CHL Carry prohibited Port Arthur Civic Center shelter

Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 3:51 pm
by anygunanywhere
It is one of those unenforceable rules that will be enforced to the fullest extent of the law.

Anygunanywhere

Re: CHL Carry prohibited Port Arthur Civic Center shelter

Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 9:38 pm
by KBCraig
anygunanywhere wrote:It is one of those unenforceable rules that will be enforced to the fullest extent of the law.
Exactly. Those affected can contact their state rep, or a lawyer to file for an injunction. In the meantime they'll be told, "You're not getting in here with a gun."

I learned some disturbing things during the last wave of evacuees (Hanna). One of my co-workers is chief of a local VFD, and two others are on his crew. Their VFD, in conjunction with a church, operated a shelter at the church. This was for evacuees arriving by bus.

All evacuees seeking space in a Bowie County shelter reported to a central site in Texarkana, where they were identified, underwent a criminal background check, and wrist bands were applied. Once they were at the shelters --which they could not leave-- they were counted three times a day and their wrist bands were checked.

Yup -- they weren't evacuees, they were detainees.

I really don't care for that way of doing business. :mad5

Re: CHL Carry prohibited Port Arthur Civic Center shelter

Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 1:42 am
by dihappy
So they are evacuees, with no where else to go but a shelter, yet they will not be allowed with a firearm.

is that not in essence illegally disarming citizens, in a round about way?

I mean, if you dont give up your rights, then you dont get help. Sure i guess you can refuse help, but what are the chances that a displaced person will refuse help?

Its almost like charging them admission: "You have to evacuate and here are the shelters set up for you, but you have to pay to get in"

Boloney if you ask me!!

Re: CHL Carry prohibited Port Arthur Civic Center shelter

Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 3:02 am
by Frost
Not being able to bring your gun is only the first in a long list of reasons to avoid government camps of all types at all costs. Even those they provide to "help" you.

link(Warning: possibly disturbing images.)

Re: CHL Carry prohibited Port Arthur Civic Center shelter

Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 8:04 am
by AEA
Let me get this straight........

A natural disaster and chaos, just the time that you need your weapon for personal protection and some "official" associated with the City decides that they can just override State Law and institute their "policy" as they please????? :headscratch :mad5
There needs to be an investigation into this and the person/persons responsible should be charged accordingly. :rules:

Oh, and by the way..........
All those gas stations that are price gouging need to be shut down and those persons responsible arrested. :nono:
We need a Gouging Militia in Texas. These places know they can get away with it because all LE Agencies are busy helping people in need. There needs to be a Militia of appointed civilians that have the authority to identify gouging on the spot and stop it. A good way to stop it in my mind is arrest the people doing it and then give their remaining product away for free to those that need it. :hurry:

Re: CHL Carry prohibited Port Arthur Civic Center shelter

Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 8:29 am
by KD5NRH
AEA wrote:All those gas stations that are price gouging need to be shut down and those persons responsible arrested.
Of course, comrade. We must not let basic economics determine prices.

Re: CHL Carry prohibited Port Arthur Civic Center shelter

Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 8:40 am
by AEA
I don't consider taking advantage of people under duress to be "basic economics".

Re: CHL Carry prohibited Port Arthur Civic Center shelter

Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 8:47 am
by Xander
KD5NRH wrote:
AEA wrote:All those gas stations that are price gouging need to be shut down and those persons responsible arrested.
Of course, comrade. We must not let basic economics determine prices.

:iagree:

Re: CHL Carry prohibited Port Arthur Civic Center shelter

Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 9:31 am
by KBCraig
AEA wrote:I don't consider taking advantage of people under duress to be "basic economics".
All those people rushing out to fill every car, generator, law mower, gas can, and milk jug wouldn't be "taking advantage" of prices that are kept artificially low by government edict?

All the people stranded when the stations run out of gas (due to a run on cheap fuel) would really be the ones taken advantage of, don't you think? Don't you think they'd gladly pay $5 or more per gallon to keep moving their families out of harm's way?

Re: CHL Carry prohibited Port Arthur Civic Center shelter

Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 10:49 pm
by flb_78
Those folks who wait until the hurricane is 30 seconds away to buy gas deserve to pay a little more for having to keep some poor son of a gun at work.

Re: CHL Carry prohibited Port Arthur Civic Center shelter

Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 12:39 am
by KD5NRH
AEA wrote:I don't consider taking advantage of people under duress to be "basic economics".
Supply is limited, demand increases, price goes up. That's basic economics.

Business owns something that people want, people have to pay what the business wants for its property. That's basic freedom.

If you want government to control what someone can charge for their property, that's called socialism.

Besides, the people who didn't fill up until the streets started flooding put themselves into that situation. It's not the government's place to force gas station owners to bail them out.