UPDATE: Cops in Wilmington have arrested five people for “looting” the dollar store by taking bottled water and other provisions as the city remains without power and rain pours down.
An incident at a Family Dollar store in Wilmington, North Carolina that is being described as “looting” by Fox News has disappointed local police, who were asked not to intervene.
Wilmington has been battered badly by Florence, and the first grocery store that opened was subject to a “mob scene” as people crowded in to get supplies.
On Saturday, a group of people took needed provisions from a Dollar Store, possibly without authorization. The incident was immediately referred to as a “looting” by the local Fox affiliate and on the Fox News Channel.
As the local Fox affiliate points out, “the Family Dollar sits across from Houston Moore, one of the city’s public housing communities.”
Wilmington police were told by management of a Family Dollar to stand down. They complained about it on Twitter, writing that “unfortunately” they were asked “not to intervene.”
NEWS ALERT – We are aware of the looting occurring at the Family Dollar Store at 13th & Greenfield Sts, unfortunately management has asked not to intervene at this time.
— Wilmington Police (@WilmingtonPD) September 15, 2018
Fox News Channel reporter Rick Leventhal sped through during the incident, focusing his camera on a woman who was loading her car.
BREAKING: looters empty Family Dollar store in Wilmington, NC #HurricaneFlorence @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/2DbGLP3YTe
— RickLeventhalFoxNews (@RickLeventhal) September 15, 2018
On Twitter, the announcement angered conservatives, some of whom called on the the police to shoot people getting supplies from the dollar store after living for two days without power.
I don’t care if they said not to intervene!!! Its illegal and you should protect and serve as it is your job!!! They are criminals!!!
— Lynn Phillippi (@lphillippi1234) September 15, 2018
WHY??? If you don’t intervene, arrest them and make a statement to other trouble making criminals the problem grows exponentially!!!
— tina bradley (@ttbradley) September 15, 2018
This is why the 2nd amendment exists my dudes. Blast them.
— Dr. Karasu Overhaul (@KOverhaul) September 15, 2018
Dear @CityofWilm please pass this license plate onto your police. It’s a screen grab from @RickLeventhal & @FoxNews catching looter in act. Cc @myfamilydollar pic.twitter.com/vTLD2CNhrT
— Patrick Millsaps (@PatrickMillsaps) September 15, 2018
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER