JACKSON, Mo. (AP) The mayor of this southeast Missouri town has
proclaimed a state of disaster following last week’s tornado.
Mayor Paul Sander enacted a curfew in areas where the tornado caused
significant damage. The action came after Police Chief James Humphreys asked for help to curb looting and to keep non-residents out of the damaged neighborhoods, Sanders told members of the city council Monday.
The curfew will be effective from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. until May 21. Movement in
and out of the damaged neighborhoods will be limited to residents, contractors, city workers and emergency volunteers.
Sander cited a seldom-used ordinance giving the mayor, council or police chief the authority to increase the powers of law enforcement during a disaster and to issue a curfew.
Police responded to 25 calls last weekend from residents in the tornado-damaged area. They said intruders were pilfering through debris and homes. One man’s damaged trailer was hauled away by someone who apparently thought it was free for the taking, but police later found it.
”The scavenging, that needs to stop,’ city administrator Paul Roach said.
”People that don’t belong in these damaged areas need to stay out. They’re hampering cleanup efforts and police patrolling.’
Gawkers have been a persistent problem, too, according to residents.
”On Sunday afternoon, it seemed everybody’s Mother’s Day present was to geta look at the damage,’ resident Susan Crites said. ”It was bumper to bumper.’
The city’s police and fire complex was destroyed by the tornado. Police have set up an interim station house at the sheriff’s department. The fire department is operating out of an administrative building.
