AFTERMATH OF STORM

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29772, 15 March 1962, Page 7

AFTERMATH OF STORM

Order To Shoot

Looters

(N.Z.P.A. -Reuter —Copyright) SHIP BOTTOM

(New Jersey), March 12.

Police in some storm-bat-tered communities of New Jersey were under orders today to shoot, if necessary, anyone caught looting. Coastal residents returned to their homes during the week-end and discovered the looters had ransacked the storm-ravaged homes. Authorities reported “very heavy reports” of looting after last week’s Atlantic storms.

Three patrol boats have been assigned to help prevent further incidents. The penalty for looting is seven years’ imprisonment.

Governor Richard J. Hughes said a minimum damage estimate of 80,000,000dollars had been set by officials who toured the hardest hit areas of the coast. He said the figure would undoubtedly rise when more complete reports are received.

The death toll from the worst coastal storm in 25 years stood at 14 but 12 others were missing and presumed dead.

Nine persons were aboard two fishing trawlers which were caught in the storm last Wednesday. The vessels have not been heard from in spite of an extensive air and sea search.

An Atlantic City policeman, James Kelly, said his home was looted of 3525 dollars’ worth of furnishings. This happened after he evacuated his family and went on around-the-clock duty as a rescue woker. Ocean County authorities yesterday began permitting residents of hard-hit Long Beach Island to return to their homes. A section of the 18-mile strip of land still was closed today, however.