Arrests on the Holiday

[wdowns9]

Arrests Made on the Holiday

Tiffany Craig

News 5

Oct 5, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

The address is 202 Water Street and lots of people live there.

 

Jason Tyler is one of them.

 

"It's much better than the cot at the Red Cross shelter and that's where we were before so this is definitely a step up," Tyler says.

 

View Report

 

Evacuees from Mississippi call it home for now like Pascagoula's Tina Towne.

 

Christy Johnson says security on the ship is tight.

 

"This badge is what you need to get on the ship," Johnson says. "You cannot get off the ship without it and you can't get back on without it."

 

Johnson goes on to say that the ship has it's troublemakers too.

 

"They've been taking people off that aren't doing what they're supposed to do. Abusing it and drugs and all that they put them off the ship as soon as they find them. I've seen them escort quite a few people off."

 

FEMA won't let our cameras on board. They say it's an invasion of privacy.

 

But Mobile police gave us an idea of some of the things going on. They have made 17 arrests in two weeks.

 

Since mid-September, nine people have been arrested for drug and alcohol related crimes and three people were taken in for domestic violence. Two people were arrested for disorderly conduct, two warrants have been served for past crimes and one person went to jail for theft of property.

 

Ten officers are assigned to patrol the ship.

 

Corporal Marcus Young with the Mobile Police Department says this is a new experience for them.

 

"That's like their own little city right now. So, they are assigned there and have arrest power on the boat around the boat," Young says.

 

Police have responded to almost 50 complaint calls on board.

[Bran8778]

WOW, cant believe that////

[ladysail2]

People don't change, regardless of situation or circumstances. It is a shame....their shoes are different from ours.

[KAW]

Great update, Thanks for posting.

[GROUCHPUSS]

wonder if the bars and pools are open?

[glrounds]

You can't make a silk purse out of a pig's ear . . . . . :(

[futaba951]

Imagine the stress these folks are under. They have lost everything and I'm sure that is waying heavily on alot of their minds. Frustration and tempers are probably just a split second away from snapping. And then others are just trouble makers to begin with. Cram them all in a confined space and it's probably on the verge of a riot at any given time.

[finoky]

Not good for our reputation of being rowdy partiers!

[Mysticks1]

I didn't see it in the original post ( might have missed it ) I saw the broadcast of the story. They stated that there are approximately 1400 onboard now. They mostly are from Pascagoula, MS(where I grew up) which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. The homes that were within 2 blocks of the beach were basically destroyed with some only having a slab left where the house was. All belongings and debris were washed away. Houses for approximately 1/2 mile from the beach were flooded and most did not have flood insurance.

 

We went there approximately 3 week ago and saw it first hand. Where the houses were still standing, all of their belongings were either in the yard drying or by the road stacked up to be hauled away. I am not surprised that they are not happy on the cruise ship. It is not exactly a vacation for them. The ones that still have jobs are being bussed from Mobile to Pascagoula for work. So many businesses are destroyed that few still have their jobs. The biggest employer (shipyard) had to layoff the majority of their employees because of the damage to the shipyard.

 

Sure they have a roof over their heads and 3 meals a day but for some that is all they have and they don't know what will happen to them when they are told to get off because they lost their homes, belongings and their jobs.

 

The ones that are using drugs, etc. are the ones that were doing that before and will continue to do so in the future. Hopefully the police will be able to weed them all out so that the good people on the Holiday can have some peace.

[futaba951]

We had some work over in Pasc. and Ocean Springs MS a few weeks ago and I was amazed to see all the clothes and even furniture lodged up in the trees, some of it about 20 feet up. TV does not do the destruction justice. You need to actually see it for it to sink in how torn up MS is. And the bad thing is that nothing seems to be happening as far as rebuilding. It's like these folks are just stuck in time at August 30 2005.

[cruzinsteve]

We had some work over in Pasc. and Ocean Springs MS a few weeks ago and I was amazed to see all the clothes and even furniture lodged up in the trees, some of it about 20 feet up. TV does not do the destruction justice. You need to actually see it for it to sink in how torn up MS is. And the bad thing is that nothing seems to be happening as far as rebuilding. It's like these folks are just stuck in time at August 30 2005.

 

 

I agree and it seems like all you hear about is New Orleans this and New Orleans that. My neice lost her home and got a whoping nothing from FEMA. Also her insurance won't cover the lose because they are calling it Flood problem rather than hurricane. SHe didn't even try to get on a ship, as her husband was laid off from the shipyard after the storm, so they left for Wyoming, with basically what they took in the car when they evacuated. We gave them some money to start over. Not much being done in Alabama or Mississippi.

[homeofthedogs]

It's such a sad situation. I say prayers every day for all of them. God Bless them!

[Mysticks1]

For those that are interested I uploaded a few of my own photos of the hurricane Katrina damage in the Pascagoula area.

 

http://community.webshots.com/album/469762865CSxqSR

[BlueHerons]

. They mostly are from Pascagoula, MS(where I grew up) which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. The homes that were within 2 blocks of the beach were basically destroyed with some only having a slab left where the house was. All belongings and debris were washed away. Houses for approximately 1/2 mile from the beach were flooded and most did not have flood insurance.

 

 

Sure they have a roof over their heads and 3 meals a day but for some that is all they have and they don't know what will happen to them when they are told to get off because they lost their homes, belongings and their jobs.

 

.

 

I live on the beach in South Carolina and can tell you that most of the homes surrounding me are not insured. Why? Because they are vacation rentals rented out weekly for the season and flood insurance is very very expensive. Also, most of these houses are not owned by one person or family but several people or families and are investments.

 

I'm sure the houses were insured but did not have flood insurance. Flood insurance is a different rider that covers hurricanes. Regular homeowners insurance does not.

 

Homes on the coast are very expensive. I doubt these homes were lived in by the poor.

[Mysticks1]

I live on the beach in South Carolina and can tell you that most of the homes surrounding me are not insured. Why? Because they are vacation rentals rented out weekly for the season and flood insurance is very very expensive. Also, most of these houses are not owned by one person or family but several people or families and are investments.

 

I'm sure the houses were insured but did not have flood insurance. Flood insurance is a different rider that covers hurricanes. Regular homeowners insurance does not.

 

Homes on the coast are very expensive. I doubt these homes were lived in by the poor.

 

Once again someone making statements on something that they know nothing about. :rolleyes:

 

Things in Pascagoula are not the same as in South Carolina - yes most of the beachside homes that were destroyed were owned by the wealthier people but they were not vacation rentals. These were their primary homes. I don't know of any homes there that were rental property and there are no vacation homes there.

You don't know this area and the people that live there. The majority of the homes that were flooded ( including some of my relatives ) are owned by poor to middle income working people some of them that were over 1/2 miles from the beach area were flooded. These areas were not in a flood plain and did not require flood insurance.

And flood insurance doesn't cover "hurricanes". They cover rising water. There are already many lawsuits in this area because neither the homeowners policies nor the flood policies are willing to pay for the damage. The flood insurance stated that the damage was due to wind which is covered under the homeowners policy and the homeowners policy insurers state that the homes were damaged by the storm surge. ( I worked for insurance agents for years:) )

I lived there for more than 20 years so I think I see things a little more clearly than you do from your beach home in South Carolina.

[BlueHerons]

You are correct and I stand corrected that I know nothing about Pascagoula.

 

 

I do find it odd that 1/2 inland is not considered to be inside the 100 year or 500 year flood plain map.

[Mysticks1]

You are correct and I stand corrected that I know nothing about Pascagoula.

 

 

I do find it odd that 1/2 inland is not considered to be inside the 100 year or 500 year flood plain map.

 

It is not in the 100 year flood plain. :) There was a small amount of water in homes as far away as 3/4 of a mile from the actual coast. The flood surge there was estimated at 28 - 30 feet. There are numerous creeks in the area as well as it having the Gulf on the South and the Pascagoula river to the west. Water pushed inland from many directions.

[BlueHerons]

Let me state for the record that my family's home on Pawley's Island, SC was partially destroyed by Hurricane Hugo in 1989 when the hurricane tore the island in two so I am familiar with hurricanes and the destruction. I am not just mouthing off something I read in a newspaper.I do understand there is no 'hurricane' insurance but for the sake of argument I was referring to flood insurance as such.

[futaba951]

We do contract work for HUD on their foreclosure properties and now we are working for FEMA as well since they have commandeered all of HUDs available houses. The storm surge did funny things as we have a house 1 block off of Mobile Bay that had NO water even in the yard but we had a house 1 mile inland that had 2 feet of water in the house and now is a total loss. I've tried to figure how THAT happened and all I can conclude is that the creeks even a mile inland had a surge go through them as well and flooded all those houses in that area. We are getting these houses ready to be habitated by those who are displaced but it is moving alot slower than I thought it would. I guess a lot of red tape and bickering over appliances and electrical codes. Only in America. :mad: As for insurance, these folks are in the same category as the IRS and organized crime IMO. :D I just hope everyone gets treated fairly and gets what it due them. In the mean time it sure is a bad situation. I think that the flood vs wind controversy will eventually end up in the Supreme Court. It sure won't be resolved here on CC. God bless these poor people.

[futaba951]

Homes on the coast are very expensive. I doubt these homes were lived in by the poor.

 

A lot of the homes on the coast of MS and AL were very much lower middle to middle class families. They weren't expensive homes before, but hang on to your hat because there is a land rush on right now of epic proportions. Ppl are selling damaged or destroyed property for more now than it was worth before the storm. Unfortunately that means alot of folks will be priced out of their old homes and won't be able to afford to rebuild where they were and will be forced to sell and move elsewhere. I know Point Cadet in Biloxi in the shadows of the Casinoes will probably be a case in point. A lot of the casino workers and poorer folks from old Biloxi lived there and where will they go that will be affordable after this? This will be an ongoing disaster that just won't go away for alot of ppl.

[wdowns9]

After dealing with Hurrican Ivan the insurance companies have been playing the blame game on either the water or wind. Some companies say it was the wind that caused the damage while others who so do not want to pay say it was the water. Either way it suxs for many people. Flood plain data is outdated or flawed. In Pensacola it has been corrected to reflect a much broader area. FEMA has recognized that the data is flawed and those who were flooded that lived in a dry area should of had insurance. If they didn't they would have to sue the Federal Government. (Good Luck).

 

The bottom line is that CCL offered their ships to help out (big profit for them) and the displaced people (some of them) do not respect the ship nor the people on-board. It has been 19 months since Ivan and those living in the FEMA trailers now have to leave because they did not find housing in that time period. Whose problem is that? Many were renting anyway so how come they do not have the $$ to move? Do the math, rent/utils on average $700 x 18 months = $12,600 $$ that did not come out of their pockets. There are the majority who honestly are trying to help themselves with the remainder being leaches on the system.

[DFD1]

I have just read this entire thread. Thanks to everyone who is contributing to it. You are giving many of us some valuable insight into the situation along the Gulf Coast.

 

The television pictures and stories tell a remarkable story, but not as complete or as meaningful as reading the comments of those of you who have been personally touched by this tragedy.

 

Thanks again.

[cruzn buckeye]

I understand and feel very bad for the people that lost so much, jobs, homes, family,......

However, when I see pictures of how the dome in New Orleans was trashed, it sickens me. Yes, the circumstances were not very good. But to totally trash a place that has been given to people for shelter,....I'm sorry, I just don't get it...I could never trash a place like that...

[futaba951]

when I see pictures of how the dome in New Orleans was trashed, it sickens me.

 

What?! The Super Dome was trashed? :eek: It looks just like my house, I thought it looked great.:D Just kidding. Can you imagine the wear and tear on these ships after using them for 6 months. They'll have to just about gut them and rebuild the interiors to be able to put them back in service. I wonder if a 3-4 week dry dock will be enough time to get them usable again.

[big_duck]

What?! The Super Dome was trashed? :eek: It looks just like my house, I thought it looked great.:D Just kidding. Can you imagine the wear and tear on these ships after using them for 6 months. They'll have to just about gut them and rebuild the interiors to be able to put them back in service. I wonder if a 3-4 week dry dock will be enough time to get them usable again.

 

What an absolutly ludicrous supposition. The Sensation and Ecstacy do not even have evacuees on it. It is Police, Fire and emergency personnel and their families. It is also obvious from the article that the authorities have the situation on the Holiday in hand.