A missing member returns

[57Coastie]

Howdy, guys and gals. I'm back. I have been gone since September 13, when hurricane Ike passed over my home in Crystal Beach on the Bolivar Peninsula. More than two months later my home remains uninhabitable -- indeed, the entire peninsula is uninhabitable in the literal sense. My home had power restored last week; no water; no Post Office; not a restaurant or store of any kind remaining on the peninsula -- not just damaged -- they are all destroyed; a curfew remains in effect. The scene reminds one of Hiroshima. One estimate by the authorities is that of some 4,300 homes on the peninsula before Ike, only some 2,000 are fit to be restored. My son's home, a quarter mile away from mine, has just disappeared. Not one item of personal property salvaged. Wife, three cats and I are safe and temporarily located up in College Station, home of the Fighting Aggies! (I wish they would fight just a little harder this year).

The county just opened the one road on the peninsula to travelers, tourists and ghouls, and announced that law enforcement presence would be increased, but at the same time warned residents to remove any valuables from their homes. An awful lot between the lines of that announcement, isn't there?

To get on topic, the brand new Galveston County Sheriff-elect issued this statement just two days ago: "The Sheriff's Office does not advocate the use of deadly force with looters. Deadly force is only authorized to protect an officer or other from what is reasonably believed to be a threat of death or serious bodily injury."

Stating what the Sheriff's Office advocates or does not advocate is one thing, as are rules of engagement he might specify for his deputies. However, using general terms the average citizen could consider to be a principal of law is quite another. It is possible that our new sheriff needs a refresher course. I will assure him that I am never without my Ruger SP 101 as I camp out in the remains of our home, working alongside contractors during the day and guarding a lifetime's accumulation of property at night.

Glad to be back. Still awfully busy trying to get my home fit to live in, so I cannot promise to monitor this fine web site as I once did, but I will try to visit ya'll now and then.

This too will be overcome,

Jim

[stevie_d_64]

Good to see you back...You have a lot of people pulling for you over here...

As for this...

To get on topic, the brand new Galveston County Sheriff-elect issued this statement just two days ago: "The Sheriff's Office does not advocate the use of deadly force with looters. Deadly force is only authorized to protect an officer or other from what is reasonably believed to be a threat of death or serious bodily injury."

Seems to me the Sherrif-elect needs a little education...Not that they may not have experience, but to dictate a policy like that which will increase the chance of criminal activity, knowing that criminals look for opportunities like this to exploit...Seems to me like a letter is in order...But, with no post office...I think a respectful face to face meeting would be in order...

But that's just me...

[seamusTX]

Glad to see you back. I wish you and all the residents of Bolivar luck in restoring your homes, or at least being compensated by the [insert adjective here] insurance companies.

Luck and God's grace are what you need, because nobody else seems to be willing to pitch in.

I wasn't aware of that statement by Mr. Poor, who is currently the chief deputy of the Galveston County Sheriff's department (he's basically the acting sheriff).

The Supreme Court ruled a while back that the use of deadly force in property crimes by police officers was a civil rights violation. That means that police officers cannot stop looters or other thieves by deadly force. (Tennessee v. Garner is one decision that I can come up with.)

A private citizen is not bound by that rule. Though conceivably a criminal or his survivors could bring suit in federal court, I don't know of it happening.

If you look at the history of grand and petit juries in Galveston County, they seem as no-nonsense as anyone in Texas. I know of no legitimate self-defense incident resulting in an indictment here. Most don't even involve arrest.

You'll find that not much has changed around here.

P.S.: Here is the source of the Deputy Sheriff's statement: http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000013696" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

[jamey]

Welcome back, and best wishes getting your life back in order and your house rebuilt relatively quickly. And here's hoping you won't have to test the incoming sheriff's new policy regarding deadly force against looters.

For anyone who wants to see a glimpse of the destruction on Crystal Beach that Jim is dealing with, check out http://www.hawkeyemedia.com/bolivar/default.asp. Those are some stunning panoramas of Bolivar after the storm.

[FightinAggieCHL]

Wife, three cats and I are safe and temporarily located up in College Station, home of the Fighting Aggies! (I wish they would fight just a little harder this year).

Don't we all...

Good luck in getting everything back in order. Stay safe!

[Venus Pax]

Hey, 57Coastie.
Glad to hear you're in a safe place now. Based on what you wrote, I'm guessing you will rebuild there rather than relocate.

[Charles L. Cotton]

We've been wondering about you; it's great to have you back.

Chas.

[John]

Glad you are safe... Sounds like you are making the best of your situation. Best Wishes...

[57Coastie]

Tks guys. Really appreciate your good wishes. I have been down here alone for almost a week trying to get some work done. No water except what I could carry with me, so you will all probably begin to smell me soon. For another look at the utter desolation inflicted by Ike you can take a look at this video taken by CG helo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQWdIXTNkDQ&NR=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

These flyboys did a great job down here. Saved many lives while flying outside the permissible weather envelope. As a CG reiree I am proud of them. My user name here tells you when I started my CG service and dates me. My next door neighbor, an Air Force reserve officer recently back from Iraq, was hoisted by CG helo out of his pickup truck as it literally floated out to sea. It sank moments later. He says he was in far greater danger right here at home than he was in The Sandpile.

Hold 'em and squeeze 'em,

Jim