After 1 week home, We were burglarized (NOLA)

[funkybutt]

i think y'all may have seen my thread a little over a week ago. I was so excited about moving home.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=1533495

Someone found a vulnerable window. They took our tv, vcr, dvd, laptop, backup drive!, tools, ect.

We spent our first few days there with no hot water or appliances. We work full time and then work on the house in the evenings and weekends. We haven't stopped fighting and pushing forward in 10 months. We lost important files and photos. Every step we take forward results in a step back. I'm so frustrated and pissed!

[leftyladyfrommo]

1. Oh. That is so sad.

But don't you dare give up!

[Jacobin]

2. Damn. I am so sorry to hear that.

What area are you in? Are you one of a few who have moved back in the neighborhood, or has your neighborhood repopulated?

[funkybutt]

8. there are people living in the neighborhood

It's not nearly completely repopulated. Most around us are either living in FEMA trailers awaiting their move in, or in raised or two story homes. We are some of the firsts. First on our block, but several good neighbors around the corner and on the next block over.

[Jacobin]

15. can't believe they took your back up hard drive

That would be the worst for me.

That and the pictures.

Hang in there, please and stay safe. Anyone else in the neighborhood getting broken into as far as you know?

[funkybutt]

20. not homes that anyone was living in

many homes that aren't inhabited have been broken into.

I think I know who did it. Guy who did our yard a couple of weeks ago. I've since learned that he has a crack problem. He knows our dog (70lb lab) and coincidentally hasn't been around since the crime.

[Whoa_Nelly]

3. Oh, fb! This so majlorly sucks!

Damn! Any hope of recovery on any of the stolen goods?

So sorry you had this happen :hug:

[EFerrari]

4. That's horrendous! I'm so sorry to hear this.

Those bastards. :mad:

[MadHound]

5. Oh I'm so sorry to hear that FB

More piled on top of more. A suggestion on the home security front, get yourself a big dog. Doesn't have to be mean dog, or trained as a guard dog, just feed it and love it and it will protect your house with its very life.

I hope things start looking up for you soon:hug:

[AirmensMom]

6. Oh, that sucks!

x( :cry: I'm SO sorry! :hug:

[BOSSHOG]

7. God Bless you Dear

I wish you strength. I may be in the city this week; I promise to light a candle at St Louis Cathedral for you and your loved ones. And my Catholic prayers are directed to your peace and safety.

[Libby2]

9. Oh man !! I'm so sorry to hear that.

Some people.
Yes, please don't give up.

[LA lady]

10. sorry!

I am so sorry! I hope you will be able to get back on your feet soon. It is a struggle, I know.

[uppityperson]

11. oh dang FB

that sucks.

[CrispyQ]

12. I'm so sorry to hear this!!

I know it sounds hollow, but hang in there.

My best to you & yours. :hug:

[madokie]

13. sorry to hear that. so many times it is just when you think its getting

better that shit happens.

[Catherine Vincent]

14. Oh man that is f'd up!

That has got to be frustrating for you and your family. Keep the faith and don't give up.

[Greyhound]

16. I am so sorry to hear this.

Is there anything we can do?

[funkybutt]

21. You're doing it

Support and encouragement...

thanks

:hi:

[bdamomma]

17. oh that is so terrible

maybe if this Government did something earlier like clean up and help people maybe these desperate measures would not affect those who are trying to get themselves on their feet again.

[Cleita]

18. That's terrible. My heart goes out to you.

This is the state that the Bush administration has left you in. The fact that criminals are taking advantage of the situation shows how little they care about you by not bringing in security for you and your fellow Katrina victims to deter burglars and looters.

[shance]

19. As if Katrina wasn't bad enough. How can we help you guys out FB?

I know we're all really sorry to hear the news, especially since you've just been there a week.

Please keep us posted let us know what we can do to help, if its to try and see if we can help get any of these things replaced, (although of course your things can never fully be replaced).

Take care and hang in there.

[funkybutt]

24. Thanks

The support and encouragement here at DU is very helpful and important. We'll make it back to some kind of normal one day. I'm don't even want my family to know about it b/c of all of the "why would you want to be there?" bullshit.

[bdamomma]

29. you can reply,

"it's home".

[juajen]

35. Thanks for your loyalty to New Orleans

Check into getting a second dog, maybe from the pound? This dog will have no familiarity with the suspected varmint. Dogs really are the best armor against burglars.

My best to you and yours in your struggle. I am praying for a light hurricane season. Louisiana needs some respite.

[nosillies]

22. Is the curfew still on? (If it even helps)

I was home in LA a couple of weeks ago when it began, but I didn't know if it was still in effect.

[funkybutt]

25. I think that's for kids under 17

which is helpful.

This burglary happened between 1:30 and 4:45 on Friday afternoon. Broad daylight. There are so many random workers in and out of houses, it's hard to tell who belongs and who doesn't. I wish someone would have seen something.

[intheflow]

23. This is terrible, funkybutt.

But don't you feel safer knowing all those National Guard troops are in the neighborhood? :sarcasm:

Sorry to get all sarcastic on you in your distress. This really and truly does suck. You'd think in a town where's people had lost so much they'd be able to respect other people's stuff. :(

[funkybutt]

26. On a positive note

First, the National Guard aren't patroling my neighborhood. They are patrolling less populated areas. We have the police patrols.

The police in this instance were great. And I'm not one to be overly complementary of the NOLA cops. They showed up within 15 minutes. They were courteus, empathetic and supportive. The Crime Lab guy came and spent about 2 hours looking for prints. Unfortunately, he didn't get and good prints.

[intheflow]

27. I guess that's the upside of living in an empty neighborhood.

The cops have more time to devote to home break-ins. I experienced this same phenomena in Biloxi when someone stole my Colorado license plates. The cops were there about 5 minutes after I called. I doubt they had that kind of response before the storm forced 25% of the population to relocate. And of course in NOLA, it's more like 70% of the population is gone now, isn't it? I wish theyhad found some prints. As an avid digital photographer, I'd be absolutely crushed if my computer photos was stolen. Everything else I could replace, but digital photos of my son's college graduation (for example) exist only on my hard drive.

I'll light a candle for your stuff, fb, and add an extra prayer for its recovery. (And your recovery, too, from this new trauma.)

[wake.up.america]

30. I leave the doors open while I am away as well as leaving

the car unlocked while shopping. Everybody should have the opportunity to live in an area where everyone can do the same.

[flordehinojos]

36. do you live in the u.s.a?

[wake.up.america]

47. No, but I am sure there are areas in America, which are safe.

[kestrel91316]

48. I live in Los Angeles and the crime in my neighborhood is so low

that I leave my kitchen door unlocked and open when I walk the block or so to the grocery store. It can't be seen from the street, of course, and my yard is all fenced except the driveway. That helps. Nobody wandering through.........

[nosillies]

31. Amazing response!

Maybe something will come of it eventually.

In the meantime, you and my family and friends and everyone else in NO right now are constantly in my prayers!

[Warpy]

33. You're going to have to hope somebody

is major league stupid and tries to pawn the stuff. Either that, or you're going to have to hope for a major break and hope somebody finks the thief or his fence out.

You can help the latter along if you call the paper with your story. It's the kind of human interest thing that newspapers love: home a week, everything stolen.

Also, thanks for the reminder that I need to burn a backup CD. I've been putting it off for a couple of weeks and it's WAY overdue!

[KamaAina]

28. Aaaaaauuuuggggghhhhhh!

All this time I've been thinking, "Well, at least crime is down! Maybe we can keep it that way..." :eyes: Now it's making a comeback; meanwhile, the piles of debris continue to age...

[bdamomma]

32. has anything at all been done in 10 months to see any good

changes there, it is disgraceful, what this government has done which is nothing to help rebuild those states that were affected, now if it happened in brother's Jeb state you would see how fast they would get things done.

[MADem]

34. A dog with a good fierce bark, maybe two

Doesn't have to be a real big dog, but it helps if the bark sounds like it's from hell.

To go with this dog or dogs of any size, a VERY LARGE sign that says "Beware of DOGS." And get yourself some of those little window alarms, at a minimum. And maybe some of those window stops, so you have to unlatch them to open the window all the way.

I think everyone should really rethink their personal security in these troubled times, and this sad occasion for you gives us all pause. We know the economy isn't getting better. And when the economy goes south, burglaries go up. It's always the way...

Your sad occasion, on top of everything else you have suffered, may help a person or two here to think about how well they lock up their home when they leave it, or at night.

It could have happened to any one of us. My deepest sympathies.

[funkybutt]

38. We have a big dog

she's got a big bark and even the police woman who responded to the call was afraid of her. This further adds to my suspicion that it was a man who did yardwork for us a couple of weeks ago. He had contact with our dog and she probably welcomed him. Hell, maybe she helped him carry some of the stuff out.

We're getting cameras and we put in new locks. Had the side door had a key deadbolt, he'd have had no way to get the stuff out, or certainly not as MUCH of the stuff.

[MADem]

41. Now that SUCKS, when you can't trust someone you have hired in good faith

Well, Karma is a slap upside the head. He'll get his in time.

If you get a camera, invest in an UPS system so you aren't hostage to power outages, and maybe a solar security light or two. Hope this is your last experience with this sort of thing...

[Behind the Aegis]

37. Do you have insurance?

Will it cover your losses? BTW, I live in NOLA now. Just moved here. We have LOTS of things we have to get rid of (downsizing). If you are in need of something in particular, PM me and let me know if my partner and I can help! Do not hesitate to ask us for help, we will do what we can!

[funkybutt]

40. Yes

Thank you so much for your offer, and I'm glad to know you're in NOLA too! We do have insurance and should be able to replace most of the stuff. There is a thousand dollar deductable though.

[Behind the Aegis]

42. Well, the offer still stands.

I am just a PM away! I am glad you have coverage though...but that deductable sucks!

[spuddonna]

39. Oh man...

That's so damn heartbreaking... Especially the backup drive! ARRRGGHH!! :(

I hope things start moving forward (and only forward!) for you soon! :hug:

[Marnieworld]

43. Poor funkybutt!

How awful for you! I blame the * administration. Obviously this was some desperate person who may have not done this a year ago. It's all part of Katrina. Not that it excuses it because clearly you suffered from that event and have no victimized anyone. That so sucks. I was so happy for you too. Hang in there. At least you have eachother :hug:

[helderheid]

44. That SUCKS funkybutt! I'm so sorry!

:hug:

[merh]

45. Oh, funkybutt

all I can say is, I am so sorry and I do understand the frustrations.
God love ya, saying prayers and sending cyber hugs. :hug: :hug:

.

[in_cog_ni_to]

46. Oh Funky...that just SUCKS so bad.

:( Shit. What is wrong with people?

[area51]

49. I'm so sorry this happened to you, fb. (n/t)