Is it me, or is this weird (Katrina shelter story)

[Neecy]

The city of Roeland Park, KS - a suburb of Kansas City - is going to be taking in around 200 Katrina survivors starting this evening.

This is noted in the story I just read:

The mayor said, although safety wasn't expected to be an issue, they planned 24-7 security at the building.

If these had been wealthy white evacuees from, say, Palm Beach, would "security" even enter into the picture? Would the mayor even address it? Since I doubt that security is needed to keep people out, is it to keep people in? Isn't it kind of a slap in the face to say welcome to the neighborhood, but we're going to immediately suspect you of the intent to commit crimes?

There's just stuff that bothers me in all of this, the racial undertones that people like this mayor won't say out loud but everyone is expected to "understand".


http://www.kctv5.com/Global/story.asp?S=3823312

[DoYouEverWonder]

1. Yes, I would assume they have security at FL shelters

especially when they become long term shelters. People have their stuff out all over the place. Even at trade shows we have security. Any place you have a large gathering of people.

[displacedtexan]

2. They don't even know they're bigots.

They're the really scary ones.

[gkhouston]

3. the security may be to keep weapons out

or to deal with any residents who return to the facility intoxicated. I've got a friend who's volunteered at the Convention Center in Houston and they pat down and wand people as they enter -- the volunteer workers as well as the evacuees. When you've got a lot of people living in crowded conditions, you sure as hell don't want to add somebody with a weapon to the mix.