When faced with a fire threat, most homeowners agonise over whether to flee to safety or stay and defend their homes. In many cases, that decision includes the fear that looters will descend under cover of chaos and help themselves to the treasures that we accumulate in our homes.
This fire event is so serious that the decision to leave has been taken out of homeowners hands. A law to make " forced evacuation " an option for the police is now in force. It is deemed necessary to save lives - and it is not an order that will be taken lightly.
Looting is seen by many as one of the lowest acts of criminality. That thieves will use a national disaster to cover their tracks and steal from distressed people is totally devoid of mercy. In many parts of the world, this crime is considered so serious that a " Looters will be shot if detected " order stands.
Looting has already taken place during this fire emergency. The fire season has started early and all the indications are that we face a long, hot summer. It seems that there is a small sector of the population which will not hesitate to avail themselves of the opportunity offered to plunder empty homes. It would be sad if those that get caught suffered light punishment because of inadequate laws.
Looting is - and should be - a major crime. The very presence of any person in an evacuated area without a valid reason should result in arrest and that person required to convince a court of their innocence.
Emergency situations need appropriate laws - to both protect and punish !
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