FEMA Pulls Out of Lower 9th-Calls for Troops-Threats of Violence

FEMA Pulls Out of Lower Ninth
Agency Calls for Troops, Reporting Threats of Violence

By Spencer S. Hsu
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, December 3, 2005; Page A14

The Federal Emergency Management Agency pulled all its workers out of New Orleans's Lower Ninth Ward yesterday after threats of violence and planned to request additional police or National Guard support, a FEMA spokeswoman said.

A spokeswoman for Mayor C. Ray Nagin said the police commander for the district knew of no incidents or threat complaints<...>

"It's unfortunate that threats of violence would be made against anyone, as we all work together to recover from this disaster," Andrews said. "The first priority is to protect and ensure the safety of FEMA workers. There are a lot of employees working hard . . . to help folks return to their homes and ensure they are receiving the assistance they are eligible for under the law."

Andrews said local FEMA workers planned to seek an increased presence by local or federal law enforcement or Guard troops before resuming their duties.

But Tami Frazier, a spokeswoman for Nagin, said the New Orleans Police Department commander in charge of the area reported no incidents, complaints or removal of anyone for making threats. "We have stated . . . that we would have guards out there and police officers escorting people during this time," Frazier said, "but there has not been an increase in police or guardsmen."
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/12/4/8110/34147
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/02/AR2005120201799.html