Even if you build it....they just might NOT come..

Son #2 (J) worked in pre-Katrina New Orleans. He and some friends did event set-up. Since New Orleans hasn't been having many events lately, he's pretty much been out of work. But, a couple of weeks ago he and the rest of the guys got some FEMA work. Yes, some locals actually got some FEMA work! ....You'd have to be a local to understand that.

Seems as if FEMA finally got some trailers set up on some land north of Baton Rouge and were ready to move some of the Katrina evacuees into them. These evacuees had been staying at our convention center in downtown BR and, by law?? at least I think it's a law, this center could only operate for so long. Anywho....there was to be a big news event with the FEMA people welcoming all these people to their new trailers and J and coworkers were hired to design/build the official FEMA tent. So, similing, gainfully (marginally) employed, and feeling as if he was contributing once more, off he went.

Upon arrival they started busily setting things up and eventually began talking with the FEMA employees (who the guys described as being, on the whole, caring capable individuals). There are people coming down here to LA and MS under the guise of wanting to help and they are found stealing from deserted homes/businesses and homes/businesses they are 'repairing'. But, I pray, those are few and far between. I still wonder about allllllll the sensitive paperwork that's lying around. But, that's another problem for another day....

Back to FEMA City. J and coworkers are setting up and talking with FEMA workers and learn that only 40 or so evacuees out of the 500 or so still at the convention center have agreed to come live in these trailer. Now..there are 600 trailers set up, waiting. No one knows what's going to happen, except that the center in downtown BR is closing and the people left will have to go somewhere else.

The next evening, local news showed FEMA employees welcoming two different families to their new trailers.

Odd situation in an odd time. I know these FEMA trailer parks are in a rural area, and I know most of the evacuees are urban people -- used to walking to the corner store, catching a bus to get to work and other places they needed to go. Even though there are supposedly shuttle busses running for shopping and such, it's not the same. And add to that the local good ole boys standing guard along the perimeter with shotguns in hands. So many people faced with so many lifestyle changes.


As a postscript, it seems people have been moving into the trailers. I'm not sure who or how many but the questions now are whether or not FEMA trailer residents can own firearms. Local police said 'no' but later had to reverse that decision. Local police also wanted access to FEMA crimanal records of the trailer residents, but so far that's a no-go.

On an up note, New Orleans no longer has the nation's highest murder rate. ....There's that. But that only means the people who helped the city earn that 'distinction' have moved elsewhere. Lots of police forces on the lookout around the country.