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October 2, 2008

Residents cause chaos at distribution site

Mary Meaux

PORT ARTHUR — A semi-riot occurred when approximately 1,000 people lined up to receive assistance from The Salvation Army early Thursday morning.

Salvation Army Capt. Leonel Ortiz said they were prepared to distribute about 200 gift cards at the pavilion on Procter Street but the crowd was much larger then expected. The group distributed gift cards to about 200 people on Wednesday news of the cards spread fast.

“It was overwhelming this morning,” Ortiz said. “There was no way we could start there were so many people.”

The crowd arrived hours before the give-away and were not in any type of organized line, making it difficult to figure out who was there first.

“We’re here to help the people,” he said. “I’m sorry this happened.”

Ortiz said people were breaking in line and tempers flared with the angriest of the bunch making comments about doing bodily harm to those who cut in front of them.

So instead of distributing the cards officials with The Salvation Army distributed fliers asking people who are in need of assistance to call and make an appointment for an interview.

Port Arthur Police Sgt. Scott Gaspard said the crowd wasn’t behaving badly but there were a lot of disappointed people and some became rowdy.

“They expected a card but most were appreciative of the information they received,” Gaspard said.

Gaspard said the situation never escalated to a fight but there was tension in the crowd keeping Salvation Army officials from even unpacking and getting started with the distribution.

The event was stopped for the safety of those in attendance.

The Salvation Army will continue to offer assistance with rent and utilities by appointment and also offers assistance with food. For more information, call The Salvation Army at 983-2229.

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