MAURICEVILLE, Texas — As people begin rebuilding after Imelda, they’re also on the lookout for looters.
The Cedar Ridge neighborhood in Mauriceville has debris piles down the entire cul-de-sac and has seen plenty of looters since the floodwater receded.
“They'll park at the end, come down, pick through and come back later and get it,” said Dawn Stanley, a homeowner in Mauriceville. “It's all day long, all day long. And it's like, don't you have something to be doing? Working?”
Stanley said her neighborhood has a Facebook group and everyone has been looking out for each other, posting when they see something suspicious.
“People know that people aren't here and I don't think they realize how tight we are as a little neighborhood and everybody looks out for everybody,” Stanley said.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said they have extra patrols looking out for looters.
“Looting will not be tolerated and if you're taking something from somebody else's property, that's theft. It's a crime, you will be prosecuted, possibly going to jail that night,” said Janois Grizzaffi, spokesperson for the sheriff’s office.
Grizzaffi recommended if homeowners are putting debris by the curb that they take pictures of it for insurance purposes. She also said to call police if you see looters.
12News spotted a sign outside of a house on SH 62 in Mauriceville said “Do Not Loot. I will shoot,” next to a pile of debris.
“People have the right to protect their property. We would have to take every situation individually, and look at each situation individually, but even though someone has a right to protect their property, then you're looking at do you really want to take somebody's life for taking something that is out at the curb?,” Grizzaffi said.
Stanley said she doesn’t think someone would actually shoot their gun – but wants people to know they are serious about protecting their property.
“Be respectful - just be respectful,” Stanley said. “We're trying to get things out and not everybody is throwing things in the trash - they're just trying to get things out to get in and be able to work on it.”