ROSWELL, N.M. (KRQE) – Tough times are being made even tougher thanks to some nightmare neighbors. The Roswell Police Department confirmed there have been a handful of reports of people looting in some of the areas hit the hardest by flooding. “It’s just a complete tragedy,” said Capt. Joe Smith with the Roswell Police Department. “I […]
ROSWELL, N.M. (KRQE) – Tough times are being made even tougher thanks to some nightmare neighbors. The Roswell Police Department confirmed there have been a handful of reports of people looting in some of the areas hit the hardest by flooding. “It’s just a complete tragedy,” said Capt. Joe Smith with the Roswell Police Department. “I can’t even understand how someone could think of taking advantage of someone who’s already been victimized by the storm.”
He said the reports include people breaking into cars and stealing property that’s been set outside to dry. Even local government facilities have been targeted. “Well, I know we’ve had people that tried to break into facilities that the city owns that were damaged, our IT shop, they tried to get in there, our Parks Office,” said Roswell Mayor Tim Jennings.
Now, Roswell police, Chaves County Sheriff’s Office, and New Mexico State Police are beefing up patrols in those areas to deter crime including along the Spring River near Cahoon Park, east towards Main Street, and the area of Stiles Park near Bland Street and Wyoming Ave. Police acknowledge with fences down and property ruined, there is not much people can do to secure their things while cleaning up.
“They have to do what they have to do to get it dried out, so it’s very limited on what they’re able to do,” said Capt. Smith. He said police will continue the increased patrols until further notice while the community rallies together to clean up.
Meanwhile, RPD is also handling its own recovery from the flood. It said the department building had water inside including two feet of water in the basement. Capt. Smith also said the department is also down nine police cars due to water damage.
He said he is grateful for first responders in other parts of the state and the community helping them out. “I’ve been a police officer over 30 years here in Roswell and we are very blessed here in Roswell,” he said. “The people here really support us and they have done that throughout my entire career that I’ve been here.”