Hurricane Sandy sparks rise in crime and looting in Queens

Certainly the northeast is frustrated enough with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy but adding in the element of elevated crimes is unbearable yet true.

The government has been praised for doing a great job at handling the after-effects of Hurricane Sandy but reports have shown that those living in the Queens area are dealing with slower aide. According to the Huffington Post, residents were begging to be recognized in the relief aide with simple necessities such as blankets and water, even though many reports said many were without food too.

If the slow response wasn’t enough, the New York Daily News says that Rockaway residents are dealing with increased criminal activity in the area. The NY Daily News reports that men have been disguising themselves as the local power authority and knocking on doors at all hours of the night. One local resident commented, “There have been people in power department uniforms asking if they’re okay, but at midnight.”

Others say they have heard gunshots three nights in a row.

Reportedly, residents have increased personal security by arming themselves with guns, baseball bats and other weapons to defend themselves from potential looters.

City Councilman James Sanders commented that his biggest fear is that the situation will turn into anarchy. “We have an explosive mix here. People will take matters into their own hands.”