Dozens arrested for looting in New Orleans after Hurricane Ida

Dozens have been arrested for looting in New Orleans after many evacuated their homes before Hurricane Ida devastated the area.

Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman told WWL-TV there have been around 40 individuals arrested for looting in the city. Overall, there were 55 arrests for various crimes, including looting and domestic violence.

After the Category 4 hurricane hit the state, the city imposed a curfew on Tuesday to prevent crime and looting.

Police Chief Shaun Ferguson said at the time there were some arrests for looting, but would not give a number because he believed it would create a “false narrative” that police weren’t in control.

“There’s absolutely no reason for anyone to be on the streets of the city of New Orleans,” Ferguson added.

Many in Louisiana are still without power in the aftermath of the hurricane, and homes are still empty as residents were instructed to stay wherever they evacuated to before the storm.

In New Orleans, around 195,000 individuals are estimated to have evacuated their homes, according to the local outlet. 

“There is no widespread looting; there is widespread empathy and community cooperation,” Mayor LaToya Cantrell said.

“We are all in dire need, and we have to reach out and lean on one another to get through this together,” Ferguson said. 

The Hill has reached out to the New Orleans Police Department for comment.