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Saturday, September 03, 2005
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Sheriff's deputies leave for Mississippi
By Cristy Loftis
It's a mission of humanity.Friday morning, 10 Citrus County Sheriff's Deputies left Citrus County for Gulfport, Miss. — an area devastated by Hurricane Katrina with people in desperate need of help. The 10 Sheriff's Mutual Aid Response Team deputies were called to help pass out food, water and supplies and assist with security in the area.Conditions ‘deplorable'Citrus County Sheriff's Capt. Joe Eckstein, who heads up the county's Emergency Operations Center, said the deputies are expected to see deplorable conditions, worse than what they saw after aiding southern counties after past hurricanes."This is an Andrew times 10," Eckstein said.He said the destruction from Andrew was contained in a small area of Florida, and floodwaters were able to drain into the land, whereas in Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama, the landscape is trapping the water above ground. "I think once they get up there they're going to see more dead bodies than they've seen in their entire careers," Eckstein said.The local group was expected to arrive by Friday evening with their four squad cars, trailored command center and mobile kitchen.Eckstein believes they'll be there for seven to 21 days, but it's kind of up in the air right now.He said the deputies will fill up their gas tanks before leaving Florida's borders and then the military and other emergency aid teams are expected to help them stay fueled.As for their safety, Eckstein said they've received reports that residents in Gulfport are looting and walking through town armed with weapons."Everybody pray that these guys stay safe," Eckstein said.As Sgt. Bill Kelley made final preparations before joining his nine other comrades Friday morning, he regarded his service to the hurricane victims with humility."They're asking for some help," Kelley said.
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