I live in Houston and our community has done a great job with helping all of the victims of Katrina. Here we all realize the very good possiblity of us getting a storm that would be just as devastating. That and people here are generally nice and giving. I am afraid that people will be scared off though with some of the things going on. Let me first say that I had already contacted a volunteer agency to start coming in once a week, but now I am a bit afraid.
A nurse that one of my friends knows went to the Astrodome this past weekend and was promised security while there. She has security for a while, but then they left. When her shift was up she realized that all of her things had been stolen. Another nurse went outside to leave and her car was stolen.
Then one of my coworkers was telling me that her neighbor went in to do some work on the building air conditioning at the Astrodome and was robbed at gunpoint. He told the guy that he was there trying to help them and the guy said that he didn't want help he needed money.
My bosses friend was leaving his job late @ 9, and was robbed at gunpoint at the gas station and the people told them they were from Louisiana, broke and needed money.
We have our fair share of loonies here in Houston on a regular basis. What frustrates me though is that these people are coming over here and ruining it for everyone who is decent and just need help. Most people, like myself, who want to do more than just give money, and want to help are now going to be terrified to do so. What would you guys do? Would you still go? I really want to, I just don't know how safe it is.
Hey girl. I am in Houston and have heard the same stuff from other people who have gone down there to help. I've decided that I'm going to find churches or companies that are collecting things and dropping them off there to donate. I will not go down to the dome to help out. It is not worth the danger and the possibility of getting injured and robbed. It frustrates me that these people are this ungrateful to people who are trying to help but it is the truth. Also there are tons of diseases that are starting to be passed around and I don't want to be sick - cholera for sure.
oh, lsu--i was wondering if this was the kind of stuff you were hinting at in your other post. i am so sorry to hear it. i sat down and wrote a letter of thanks to gov. rick perry over the weekend, because it warmed my heart to see all the generosity and kindness that the people all over texas were showing--it was truly inspiring. i really hope that these are isolated incidents and that the situation will calm down once people get settled in and feel safe and cared-for. i hope that this doesn't discourage texans' noble instincts to be kind and helpful.
joy0302... i tried to go down to the astrodome to help on sat but was turned away cos they have too many volunteers.. we were redirected to the grb convention center where ALOT of help is needed... people are donating piles and piles of clothes and all these clothes need to be sorted thru and folded. nothing glamourous but they need the help. i'm not sure if u wanted to help specifically with the evacuees.
sat was when they started moving people to the convention center so pretty much they have a whole section divided up into men/women's clothing so people could go to a section and pick out clothes already sorted out in their sizes.
leave me a msg if u want more info but i would say it was very safe. i went with my bf but he ended up moving boxes of clothes instead so i was alone for the 8hrs pretty much. but during the weekends there are soo many volunteers. just pick some friendly faces and sit with them and start folding clothes...
I was just saying to my husband how impressed I was by Houston & their offers to help...not to mention how quickly they planned for all these extra people. I am sure the strain on the school system alone will be huge, but I haven't heard anyone complaining.
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"We live in an age where unnecessary things are our only necessities." --Oscar Wilde
The whole situation with schools is crazy both in Houston and BR. BR is starting to have school from 7:30-3 and then 3:30 to 9. It is crazy but somehow they are bound and determined to make it work.
that is disgusting and shameful. I don't care how desperate you are, that does not entitle you to steal from someone, especially someone who is trying to help you.
A little late on this, but Im in Houston as well & for the most part have had nothing but positive feelings on the outpour of generosity here. Last week we started hearing about people dropping stuff off, only to turn around a second later and have their cars stolen. People have been stealing from the drop spot locations (and these might very well be our on Houstonians), but all of it is very frustrating. My co-worker's brother in law got called into active duty at the Astrodome yesterday & he told her that they have people there passing out condoms b/c there are people just going at it on the cots-- in front of everyone including kids. Who knows how much of what we're hearing is the truth, the cops and the news channels have been trying to dispel rumors regarding crime.
One thing that they've put into play is a curfew. All the people staying in the Astrodome have to be in by 11pm or they have to stay out until 6am. Apparently there was a problem with people coming in drunk & disrupting those who were trying to get some sleep. Most of the women interviewed were happy about the curfew, but they interviewed a few me who thought the idea was, "stupid" or "whack." They argue that they arent in trouble, why should they have to live under those rules?
All these images of NO & MS have just sickened me & I've actually had dreams about stuff I've seen on TV. I cant even imagine what these people have gone through and it makes me sad to think that they are still suffering here and they have no idea when they will be able to return to their lives.
I'm sorry to say this but as a former Houstonian, I would not be surprised if a lot of the crime occurring is coming not from the evacuees but the Houston natives. Houston's doesn't exactly have the lowest crime rate in the country. (Not saying it's a crime laden city of anything but let's be honest here. The 5 o'clock news reads like a police log.) It's sad that people would capitalize on other's misfortune and I certainly don't want my car stolen, but I can assure you, if I were in Houston or San Antonio or Dallas, I'd be out there in a heartbeat no matter what.
As is I'm stuck donating (not that there's anything wrong with that - it's good). It's just that I don't really have enough resources to make my donation substantial and I wish I was in an area where I could donate time and energy, things I have in abundance.
I forgot to add that I'm so, so proud of Houston!! They were the first ones to step up to the plate and everyone there is doing such a fabulous job. I hope they continue to show the world what good a U.S. city can do. (Even if other people in charge are sucking it up.)