sarettah
09-07-2005, 03:28 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/07/AR2005090701309.html
Confusion Reigns Over Forced Evacuations
Wednesday, September 7, 2005; 3:18 PM
Confusion reigned Wednesday over whether officials will force people out of their homes in New Orleans.
A Louisiana official said this morning the state won't make people leave their homes in the besieged city just one day after New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin authorized law enforcement officers and the military to force the evacuation of all residents who refuse to leave. Released late Tuesday, Nagin's emergency declaration targets all those still in New Orleans who have not been designated by government officials as helping with the relief effort.
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Meanwhile in Baton Rouge, La., Ed Jones, chief of disaster recovery and mitigation for the Louisiana Department of Homeland Security, said the decision to use the military and state rescue personnel to forcibly evacuate citizens from New Orleans lies with the governor, not with the mayor.
National Guard and state rescue workers have not received any communication from Mayor Nagin about forcing people out of their homes and an order to take such action would need to come from the governor, said Jones at disaster headquarters in Baton Rouge.
At this point, Jones said, National Guard and state rescue workers "will not force people out."
"It's a very tough decision to force an American out of their home," Jones said.
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But later in New Orleans, Police Supt. Eddie Compass said city officials would go forward with the mayor's plan. He said once the "voluntary evacuations take place, then we will concentrate our efforts and forces to mandatorily evacuate residents."
Compass said thousands of people still wanted to voluntarily evacuate the city.
"We hope that most people cooperate," Compass said. "We have a large enough manpower force with the army and the state, city and federal agencies to do this expeditiously and as safe as possible." Compass said authorities will use "the minimal amount of force necessary to evacuate people from the city."
Officials said the authority for the mandatory evacuation order came through state statutes.
As of midday Wednesday, there were no reports of anyone being removed by force, according to wire service reports.
Confusion Reigns Over Forced Evacuations
Wednesday, September 7, 2005; 3:18 PM
Confusion reigned Wednesday over whether officials will force people out of their homes in New Orleans.
A Louisiana official said this morning the state won't make people leave their homes in the besieged city just one day after New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin authorized law enforcement officers and the military to force the evacuation of all residents who refuse to leave. Released late Tuesday, Nagin's emergency declaration targets all those still in New Orleans who have not been designated by government officials as helping with the relief effort.
.................................................. ..........
Meanwhile in Baton Rouge, La., Ed Jones, chief of disaster recovery and mitigation for the Louisiana Department of Homeland Security, said the decision to use the military and state rescue personnel to forcibly evacuate citizens from New Orleans lies with the governor, not with the mayor.
National Guard and state rescue workers have not received any communication from Mayor Nagin about forcing people out of their homes and an order to take such action would need to come from the governor, said Jones at disaster headquarters in Baton Rouge.
At this point, Jones said, National Guard and state rescue workers "will not force people out."
"It's a very tough decision to force an American out of their home," Jones said.
..............................................
But later in New Orleans, Police Supt. Eddie Compass said city officials would go forward with the mayor's plan. He said once the "voluntary evacuations take place, then we will concentrate our efforts and forces to mandatorily evacuate residents."
Compass said thousands of people still wanted to voluntarily evacuate the city.
"We hope that most people cooperate," Compass said. "We have a large enough manpower force with the army and the state, city and federal agencies to do this expeditiously and as safe as possible." Compass said authorities will use "the minimal amount of force necessary to evacuate people from the city."
Officials said the authority for the mandatory evacuation order came through state statutes.
As of midday Wednesday, there were no reports of anyone being removed by force, according to wire service reports.