Deadly blizzard conditions in upstate Latest York gave cover to local looters over the weekend as they robbed businesses while police were stuck elsewhere.
“I don’t understand how these people may even live with themselves, how they will take a look at themselves within the mirror,” Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown raged to reporters Monday.
“They’re the ‘lowest of the low,” Brown said of the opportunistic crooks.
Some businesses had their windows smashed and merchandise damaged and stolen as snow and ice pummeled the region, local TV station WRGZ reported.
Buffalo cops made a “few” arrests, based on city Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia, who added that investigations proceed into other incidents after widespread reports of looting on social media.
The weather conditions limited the crime-fighting efforts of local law enforcement, with travelers’ stranded vehicles clogging roads and snow-related emergencies taking police away from their normal beats.
Gramaglia said Monday that was changing.
“We’ve been capable of throughout the storm transition our patrol officers to get back [to] their patrol efforts while we’ve our search and rescue recovery teams which can be going out and doing the very difficult work of recovering bodies,” he said.
Brown said he was astounded by the looting.
“People who find themselves out looting when individuals are losing their lives on this harsh winter storm is just absolutely reprehensible,” he said.
“They’re not looting foods and medicines, they’re just looting items that they need. So these aren’t even people in distress,” the mayor said. “These are people who find themselves benefiting from a national disaster and the suffering of many in our community to take what they need.”
Deadly blizzard conditions in upstate Latest York gave cover to local looters over the weekend as they robbed businesses while police were stuck elsewhere.
“I don’t understand how these people may even live with themselves, how they will take a look at themselves within the mirror,” Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown raged to reporters Monday.
“They’re the ‘lowest of the low,” Brown said of the opportunistic crooks.
Some businesses had their windows smashed and merchandise damaged and stolen as snow and ice pummeled the region, local TV station WRGZ reported.
Buffalo cops made a “few” arrests, based on city Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia, who added that investigations proceed into other incidents after widespread reports of looting on social media.
The weather conditions limited the crime-fighting efforts of local law enforcement, with travelers’ stranded vehicles clogging roads and snow-related emergencies taking police away from their normal beats.
Gramaglia said Monday that was changing.
“We’ve been capable of throughout the storm transition our patrol officers to get back [to] their patrol efforts while we’ve our search and rescue recovery teams which can be going out and doing the very difficult work of recovering bodies,” he said.
Brown said he was astounded by the looting.
“People who find themselves out looting when individuals are losing their lives on this harsh winter storm is just absolutely reprehensible,” he said.
“They’re not looting foods and medicines, they’re just looting items that they need. So these aren’t even people in distress,” the mayor said. “These are people who find themselves benefiting from a national disaster and the suffering of many in our community to take what they need.”
