As horrible as things are in the BVI's I am just disgusted on every level with the reports on looting. I just don't get why people loot a store that employs their neighbors.

The islands are in ruins. If people are taking food/supplies, it's for survival. That's not looting.

It's a natural occurrence today. Looters know you will replace what they steel thru tourism. The owners of the stolen merchandise know it also.

And! This comes as a surprise????

There's looting and then there is taking food and drinks to feed your family from a store without staff to sell it to them. Let's just make sure we are condemning the right folks.

In USA looting is 50 Inch TV, Phones and other delicious items, it is sick. Sorry I do not believe you need to loot for food. I am sure (hope) there are options in BVI. I post nothing till this...only read and cry for my favorite islands. This though is not acceptable, no mater where you live. I am sure someone can say "What About...." and their always will be some excuse...BUT IMHO 99% of looter are just that...Looters.

The track now shows the storm going practically over my house as Cat 4 in 3 days. Who really knows? But no mater what happens I guarantee I will not loot.

Sorry to to tirade with all that has happened and all that is coming my way I just see this looting and it blows my top.

With that I want to thank everyone for all the info, comments and Carol H. for her oversight of all this. It is almost too much to comprehend and for me the worse may be coming.

Bless all those in the Island and in the path , Houston before this mess, those in the path and all you for all your caring, I just hope and pray next year or the next I can make a visit to my beloved BVI.

Much of the content of this topic may be an example of why Carol posted the "Be careful what you post" topic. If you have nothing to eat or drink, and everything is in ruins, taking food from a store is the right thing to do.

Most of the post-Katrina reports of looting from New Orleans were just that. Yes, there are always some bad actors, but they are a tiny minority compared to the good people of the BVI who need to keep their families and themselves alive.

This is not food. Many reports of electronics and luxury goods being looted.

I'm sorry to hear that, Glenn.

Many, MANY reports of looting in St. Maarten/ST. Martin also.

somewhat off-topic - but, St.Maarten appears to be suffering terribly as well.. as are all victim islands, no doubt
As for looting, it's wrong, it's strictly opportunistic at this moment in time .. but can anyone honestly suggest a place it would not happen ?

Saw a video of a resident on STJ telling of a safe that had been stolen, burned in an attempt to open it(unsuccessful), and was being returned to it's home. They finally have adequate police coverage from St. Croix.
Looting is one thing - but there are thugs forcefully entering what's left of homes to rob and terrorize people that have just been through hell.
THAT would not happen here - at least not in TX. We thankfully are well armed; shoot first, and ask questions later.
I plan to retire to the VI, but will be seriously trained and "equipped" for home / personal security before that happens.

You'd think on a tiny island, they could locate and remove these losers.

When all this is over and things are "back to normal", hopefully they will really re-think their disaster planning and also maybe pro-actively station added security prior to any significant storm. This was the strongest to ever hit them, so clearly a lot of lessons can be learned.

I keep looking at this post. All I can come up with is ?????????

Video/photos from the BVI's and St. Martin showing LOOTERS running down the street wit flat screens! Please take the food, water, clothing.

Also verified stories of machete wielding thugs robbing people of whatever they have. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Mad.gif" alt="" />

Very sad indeed, and the prisoners are still at large. It is terrifying for some people in remote areas of the islands.

I read somewhere that some of the prisoners went back to the prison after helping family etc.

I hate to hear these looting stories..but also hate folks talking of bringing down guns " shooting first and asking questions later"..please..not down here..lets not return to an NRA run Wild West..