Two different views

Tommy Mann, Jr.
The Orange Leader

October 16, 2008 09:38 pm

— One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, but that is not how some area residents see it.
Numerous reports of Hurricane Ike damaged property being taken without permission are flooding area law enforcement offices and leaving owners without their belongings not once, but twice.
Since Ike’s storm surge drenched much of Orange, West Orange, and Bridge City, along with areas in Vidor and Rose City, it has become commonplace to see storm damaged items such as sofas, televisions, refrigerators, washers, dryers, along with other belongings.
Many people who have placed water-damaged items along the roadside for debris collection are also waiting for insurance agents to visit so a claim can be filed. However, as items continue to disappear, residents are losing their items again, but this time to unscrupulous people who could be attempting to file false insurance claims or seeking to turn in damaged items for cash at recycling locations, depending on the item.
“We’ve had lots of reports of this happening,” said Sgt. Robert Estrella of the Orange Police Department. “But if it is items which have been placed along the road side, then it’s not stealing. It’s considered garbage.”
Many residents have spray painted messages on signs such as “Do Not Take” or “For Insurance” in hopes of keeping debris from disappearing unexpectedly.
“If people have their items covered or a sign stating not to take it, then that is something totally different,” Estrella continued. “But most of the reports we are getting are people who just have the items out by the road without a sign.”
As bad as the matter is in Orange, it appears to be worse in Bridge City.
“Not too long after the storm, we were getting 30 to 40 calls a day for the first few weeks,” said Maj. Joey Hargrave of the Bridge City Police Department. “It’s not as much now, but we still get those calls on a daily basis.”
Even though items placed along a road or curb would normally be considered garbage, since these are not ordinary circumstances, Hargrave said ordinary rules do not apply.
“We are looking at it as if it is still their property,” Hargrave continued. “These people are waiting on insurance agents to come so they can make a claim, and we have people who are driving through town and picking stuff up and taking it back to their houses. They are taking large items like televisions, washers and dryers, and refrigerators, and then photographing the stolen items in their houses to file an insurance claim.”
Hargrave said the police department experienced similar problems following Hurricane Rita three years ago.
“We’ve already put a whole bunch of people in jail for this,” he said. “We’ve heard every excuse in the book too, but this is still people’s property.”
Hargrave continued by saying he was fearful the problem would escalate as more and more temporary housing units arrive into Bridge City.
“I’m afraid it’s only going to get worse as more FEMA trailers arrive,” he said. “But it’s something we are not going to tolerate and will do our best to keep from happening or arrest those taking other people’s belongings.”

Reach this reporter at 409-883-3571, Ext. 2620 or tmann@orangeleader.com

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