Where is Reuben Greenberg when we need him? by Gail Paparian

(As seen in: Post & Courier, Record Gazette, Press Enterprise, Desert Sun)

As my heart goes out to the people who have done nothing wrong but be in the path of Hurricane Katrina, I think back upon my terror of living through Hurricane Hugo.

My husband I had just completed building a house in Charleston, S.C. It was September, 1989 and we were just beginning to learn our way around the Low country.

Hurricane season started in May and concluded in November. If a storm came, we were advised to: board up windows, make certain we had a supply of our medications, had day's worth of water and a supply of bug spray and LEAVE WHEN TOLD TO EVACUATE.

Although still strangers in town, when it was evident that Hugo was a serious category four storm, we were smart enough to listen to public officials. Charleston, like New Orleans and other coastal cities is below sea level. A normal rainstorm without storm surges at high tide was enough to submerge the city during normal timesŠ. Hurricanes can and did bring more dire consequences.

Sensing impending disaster, Police Chief Reuben Greenberg (yes Jewish and also black) and l longtime mayor, Joseph P. Riley, used the media to delivery their message.

In a matter of fact delivery, he stated his case simply: he didn't have enough time to call out the national guard or request backup for what promised, and did, cause enormous devastation. He was heard over television, radio and newspaper coverage with the same message: looting wouldn't be tolerated. He had given the orderŠ.. "If you find them looting; beat them."

Reuben Greenberg was a black, Jewish chief of police in the south, yet nobody challenged him! A stolen television? Diapers? Caviar? Nobody thought to see if Reuben Greenberg meant business. He had taken an oath to uphold the law and protect the citizens of his city. Want to see if he meant business?. Just try him out. To my knowledge, there was not a single report of looting in the Charleston area!

Natural disasters inflict enough pain; we certainly don't have to accept low-life's preying on other people's misfortunes. Reuben Greenberg, where are you?