Where Were the Police During the Storm?

To The Editor:
I am dismayed with the lack of police protection that I personally witnessed during the recent Hurricane Sandy.
The borough officials posted the ”mandatory” evacuation notice to residents for Sun. Oct. 28, by 4 p.m. on the illuminated sign when you enter the borough. Then they announced the same message on the reverse 911 telephone messaging system.
Many of the residents heeded the warning and evacuated their homes in a hurry. But where were the police when they were most needed?
In all other storms that I have experienced in the Borough of West Wildwood, and I am a lifelong resident here, that required evacuation due to flooding, there was someone at the bridge to check the identifications of anyone entering or leaving the borough during the emergency. There is only one way in and out of the borough and that is over the bridge serving this island community. Not this time. Where were the police?
Anyone was allowed to enter West Wildwood during and after the storm at will. And they did. No one was checking to see if those entering the borough were residents or property owners. Before residents were back to their property, there were trucks, and trucks with trailers, entering the borough to loot whatever was on the streets. Peoples’ property that floated from their homes was snatched up by the looters as quickly as the water cleared the streets. Where were the police?
It is against the law to take property put at the curb for pick up or lost due to the storm. The borough earns credit for those recyclables which they pick up at the curb, and it helps off set the tipping fees charged by the MUA. That can amount to thousands of dollars in savings to taxpayers.
The looters were observed breaking the glass from aluminum storm windows and storm doors and leaving the glass and debris in the streets. They absconded with the metal to sell as junk to line their own pockets. That is illegal. Where were the police?
Residents were mandated by borough officials and the governor to leave their homes with the idea that their properties and belongings would be protected. Where were the police?
It was three days following the Oct. 28 storm before I finally saw a police person. That was on Wed. Oct. 31. In the meantime trucks with trailers were stealing the taxpayers’ blind. Where were the police then?
Why was no one at the bridge checking the credentials of those entering the borough? Next week police will return to sitting with radar on Glenwood Avenue checking the speed of unsuspecting residents and visitors entering the borough over the same bridge that was left open for looters to enter and steal from the taxpayers of this tiny community. Why didn’t the police sit on Glenwood Avenue after the storm to see the looting trash pickers entering the borough and stealing from the taxpayers? Where were the police? I found this situation to be unacceptable and embarrassing at best.
I am sure someone will give an excuse for the lack of police presence and protection during and following Hurricane Sandy. Why were looters allowed to steal from taxpayers? I am billed a total of $21,208.18 yearly in property taxes and feel cheated.
There is no excuse why there was a lack of police presence to protect the borough, its residents and their property during and following this terrible storm. Especially when the elected officials ordered people to leave their homes then did little or nothing to safeguard the community. Shame on those responsible.
HERBERT C. FREDERICK
West Wildwood