Another thought:

[arlani]

On people accused of stealing TVs...If they had a generator, but no television (damaged, or didn't own one to begin with), maybe some were attempting to gain access to information about their situation?

Stretching, perhaps, but possible

Comments

[carocrow]

They stopped people in stolen cars full of stuff headed out of the city, and have found bags of stuff elsewhere. I'm sure there might be some legitimate looters, but let's face it, in every large city there are also a certain population of people who live for crime. There were gangs and an active drug culture there. Not everyone can be justified with noble motivations.

[arlani]

Not trying to say that everyone who looted was doing so for survival, just that assumptions that everyone who took "non-necessary" items did so for selfish purposes may miss the mark.

[carocrow]

They are wrong; even police were "looting" for food and water during the worst of it. People have to live and take care of their children.

I have less sympathy for people who armed themselves and turned on the vulnerable. BUT I think they were a small minority of thugs, certainly not the majority of the people there.