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Saturday
March 20, 2010 Since 1922 |
First responders busy with rumors, crime
By Tara Sullivan
The Baytown Sun Published September 16, 2008 More than 48 hours after Hurricane Ike rolled through Baytown, first responders are proud to commend citizens for remaining level headed. Though many citizens are without power, there have been few reports of looting or other related problems.
Right now, Baytown's biggest enemy aside from lack of electricity is the rumor. At the Emergency Operations Center - staffed by volunteers, city employees, community leaders and first responders - a "Rumor Control Board" has been erected to organize and help dispel some of the false information that is circulating.
Chief among those stems from a circulating text message telling folks that the city will be shutting off the water, or advising citizens to stop using tap water all together.
"This is simply not true," said Mayor Stephen DonCarlos.
Though a boil-before-use advisory is still in effect for city water, test samples have been sent out to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality lab and could come back with favorable results as early as Thursday. Though there appears to have been no leaks at the water treatment plant, it is not safe for citizens to consume water straight from the tap until these test results are received. This water must be boiled before consumption, but is safe for bathing. At no point will this crucial element be cut off, nor has there been talk of such action.
DonCarlos also advised that the city curfew of 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., or "dusk till dawn," is still in effect. Businesses however will be allowed to remain open after the curfew period.
While tree limbs and debris clutter most streets and yards, DonCarlos said there is a crew in every district out to clear Baytown. One way to speed along this process is to gather all limbs together near the end of the street, readying them for pick-up. Not only will such action allow these crews to traverse the city, but it will also ensure a more thorough clean-up effort.
Further, regular garbage service began on Tuesday and will resume the regular Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday schedule.
Subhead: Crime remains at a minimum, thanks to combined efforts
With first responders out in full force, police officers and fire fighters have been responding to calls throughout the city.
Chief Keith Dougherty ventured to say looter apprehension rates have been 100 percent.
"There have been few incidents of looters and people have been calling in to report looting when they see it," he said. "We've been able to catch those folks and get them off the streets."
Dougherty attributes Baytown's good behavior in part to a stock of good citizens.
"People have been obeying the curfews and listening to officials even though it is sometimes inconvenient," he said.
The curfews serve a dual purpose - to keep citizens from unknowingly driving over downed lines during the lightless hours of the night and to make criminal activity easier to spot.
Even with mile-long lines wrapping around gas stations and supermarkets, Dougherty said problems among citizens have amounted to little more than a few yelling matches.
Further, Dougherty said the quick response of those who do have supplies has helped to quell the panic that could have led to widespread civil disobedience. With the Red Cross manning a shelter operation at Wooster Baptist Church, a Red Cross Disaster Relief truck driving through Lakewood and the surrounding area to deliver meals, and a FEMA Point of Distribution (POD) located on Decker Drive, supplies have been available for Baytonians 24 to 36 hours following the storm.
One of the many city officials manning the Emergency Operations Center, Dougherty commended Baytonian leaders as well as their constituents.
"We have city workers here working 12 hours a day with no home to go back to themselves," he said.
Mayor DonCarlos said much of the same, commenting on how smoothly EOC activities have been moving along.
"Mainly, we're proud of our citizens for helping each other," he said.
The Baytown Sun Published September 16, 2008 More than 48 hours after Hurricane Ike rolled through Baytown, first responders are proud to commend citizens for remaining level headed. Though many citizens are without power, there have been few reports of looting or other related problems.
Right now, Baytown's biggest enemy aside from lack of electricity is the rumor. At the Emergency Operations Center - staffed by volunteers, city employees, community leaders and first responders - a "Rumor Control Board" has been erected to organize and help dispel some of the false information that is circulating.
Chief among those stems from a circulating text message telling folks that the city will be shutting off the water, or advising citizens to stop using tap water all together.
"This is simply not true," said Mayor Stephen DonCarlos.
Though a boil-before-use advisory is still in effect for city water, test samples have been sent out to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality lab and could come back with favorable results as early as Thursday. Though there appears to have been no leaks at the water treatment plant, it is not safe for citizens to consume water straight from the tap until these test results are received. This water must be boiled before consumption, but is safe for bathing. At no point will this crucial element be cut off, nor has there been talk of such action.
DonCarlos also advised that the city curfew of 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., or "dusk till dawn," is still in effect. Businesses however will be allowed to remain open after the curfew period.
While tree limbs and debris clutter most streets and yards, DonCarlos said there is a crew in every district out to clear Baytown. One way to speed along this process is to gather all limbs together near the end of the street, readying them for pick-up. Not only will such action allow these crews to traverse the city, but it will also ensure a more thorough clean-up effort.
Further, regular garbage service began on Tuesday and will resume the regular Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday schedule.
Subhead: Crime remains at a minimum, thanks to combined efforts
With first responders out in full force, police officers and fire fighters have been responding to calls throughout the city.
Chief Keith Dougherty ventured to say looter apprehension rates have been 100 percent.
"There have been few incidents of looters and people have been calling in to report looting when they see it," he said. "We've been able to catch those folks and get them off the streets."
Dougherty attributes Baytown's good behavior in part to a stock of good citizens.
"People have been obeying the curfews and listening to officials even though it is sometimes inconvenient," he said.
The curfews serve a dual purpose - to keep citizens from unknowingly driving over downed lines during the lightless hours of the night and to make criminal activity easier to spot.
Even with mile-long lines wrapping around gas stations and supermarkets, Dougherty said problems among citizens have amounted to little more than a few yelling matches.
Further, Dougherty said the quick response of those who do have supplies has helped to quell the panic that could have led to widespread civil disobedience. With the Red Cross manning a shelter operation at Wooster Baptist Church, a Red Cross Disaster Relief truck driving through Lakewood and the surrounding area to deliver meals, and a FEMA Point of Distribution (POD) located on Decker Drive, supplies have been available for Baytonians 24 to 36 hours following the storm.
One of the many city officials manning the Emergency Operations Center, Dougherty commended Baytonian leaders as well as their constituents.
"We have city workers here working 12 hours a day with no home to go back to themselves," he said.
Mayor DonCarlos said much of the same, commenting on how smoothly EOC activities have been moving along.
"Mainly, we're proud of our citizens for helping each other," he said.