On the Record

Whereas: All Georgia citizens need to make the necessary preparations to shelter in place while the storm passes through the state; and

Whereas: The assistance of the government of the state of Georgia is necessary to protect the public health, preserve the safety of the public, keep property damage to a minimum, and restore the social and economic welfare of all counties; and

Whereas: The authority is vested in the Governor … to issue reasonable orders, rules and regulations deemed necessary to protect public safety, health and welfare, and bring the emergency situation under control within the acknowledged limitations of the power of the Governor.

From an Augusta Chronicle editorial:

They ignore evacuation orders and curfews. They lurk behind, potentially endangering first responders tasked with saving them, and preying on those who’ve followed the law and common sense to seek safety elsewhere.

They’re looters. And we’ve absolutely had it up to the gills with them.

It’s time to buffet them with Category 5 punishments.

“Going to prison over a pair of sneakers is a fairly bad life choice,” Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Rick Maglione said dryly. “Stay home and look after your loved ones and be thankful they are all safe.”

Sage advice. Of course, that presupposes these folks have their priorities straight, which they obviously don’t. And since you can’t very well munch on Air Jordans, you can stash away “need” as an excuse.

These reprobates, when society takes the trouble to stop them and police are forced to divert their attention from emergency management, face theft charges – little more. In Florida, at least, there’s such a thing as “grand theft during a state of emergency.” But all that means is that your theft charge is upgraded to the next highest theft charge.

Big deal.

It needs to be a much bigger deal. Serious time, serious fine.