Indiana conservation officers patrol for looters
in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Indiana conservation officers patrol for looters
in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Thirty-seven Indiana conservation officers and forestry staffers responded to a call for help from the south after Hurricane Katrina destroyed Gulf Coast areas in late August. These DNR employees joined a crew of 214 Hoosiers in the effort, dubbed Operation Hoosier Relief, coordinated by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
The first group headed to Biloxi and cleared downed trees (over 600 in a 2-day period), as well as patrolling the shoreline to prevent looting and checking boats for people in need of rescue. After 14 days, a second DNR group was deployed.
The DNR effort was coordinated by Captain David Windsor, a conservation officer and DNR’s coordinator for the state emergency operations center. “We’ll continue sending workers as long as we’re needed,” Windsor said.
