Sandy MaloneNew Orleans, LA – A weather videographer who was filming the destruction from Hurricane Ida in New Orleans captured video of looters attempting to get the cash out of a bank machine early on Monday morning.
The incident occurred on Aug. 30, just hours after Hurricane Ida tore roofs off buildings and caused some major destruction in the city on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
“The moment looters realize a drone is watching them try to break into an ATM [machine] in burned down St. Claude market in the lower 9th ward. #hurricaneIda #looting,” Brandon Clements tweeted with the video.
The video showed a man trying to get the money out of two burned out money machines that were accessible after the market burned during the storm.
The cause of the fire that destroyed St. Claude market is not yet known, according to Newsweek.
In the video, another man came through the destroyed doors, presumably to help his friend.
However, he looked up and saw the drone hovering above him and turned and walked back out, the video showed.
The first man stayed and continued to examine the ATM as if the other man had not advised him that he was being watched.
The moment looters realize a drone is watching them try to break into an ATM maching in burned down St. Claude market in the lower 9th ward. #hurricaneIda #looting pic.twitter.com/PtPGO7ZPGE
— WXChasing (Brandon Clement) (@bclemms) August 30, 2021
New Orleans Police Chief Shawn Ferguson sent out a message to would-be looters early on Sunday before the city lost power and shut down.
Chief Ferguson first explained how rescue and recovery efforts would proceed after the storm, but then he issued a stern warning.
“But also, anti-looting. We will not permit, we will not allow any looting throughout this process,” the police chief said at a press conference held by the mayor on Aug. 29. “And we will be out there to enforce it.”
New Orleans Police Chief Shaun Ferguson as Hurricane #Ida pummels Louisiana:
“We will not permit looting, and we will be out there to enforce that.” pic.twitter.com/UuvKrHxy3Y
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) August 29, 2021
Videos and still photos posted to social media after the storm showed some community members were making efforts to stop looters themselves.
“In Bay St. Louis post-#Ida. The #looters are out. Tires floated from a shop on 603. Guys in truck were trying to steal them. This woman ran them off. Always opportunists when people are hurting after a hurricane. Hate it! #mswx,” a reporter for McClatchy tweeted.
In Bay St. Louis post-#Ida. The #looters are out. Tires floated from a shop on 603. Guys in truck were trying to steal them. This woman ran them off. Always opportunists when people are hurting after a hurricane. Hate it! #mswx pic.twitter.com/DEumMaXiV0
— Anita Lee (@CAnitaLee1) August 30, 2021
IF YOU ARE IN THE HAHNVILLE TO LULING AREA PLEASE BECAREFUL IF YOU ARE TRYING TO GO OUTSIDE THE LOOK AT DAMAGE, LOOTERS ARE CURRENTLY OUT AND ABOUT WHILE ITS CALM. PLEASE STAY SAFE. #HurricaneIda
— ~*Luna*~ Hurricane Ida Gamer Updates (@LunacoVR) August 30, 2021
Many on social media were critical of the sheriff’s plan to deploy anti-looting squads and questioned the city’s priorities.
Holly Matkin
