Establishment of Homeland Reserve

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, as the city of New Orleans descends into complete anarchy and chaos, it has become painfully obvious that the law enforcement and military professionals tasked with protecting life and property are woefully outnumbered and ill-equipped to handle the crisis. Reports of armed bands of criminals patrolling the streets, and raping, robbing and killing people are flooding in. The situation has deteriorated to the point that police have been forced to barricade themselves in their precincts and protect their positions from gunmen, leaving the rest of society, or what's left of it, on their own. Hospitals have been attacked by criminals seeking to steal their ambulances and supplies, evacuation personnel have come under attack by those attempting to take their boats and rescue helicopters have been fired upon.





What is necessary is the reestablishment of security and civility to the region. After all, how can people be saved, or receive life sustaining necessities, when rescuers can't get to them because they are being fired upon? And what's not being said is the obvious, with troops deployed around the world, there are few active duty and reserve military components available in the U.S. to help.





We are calling upon the Homeland Security Secretary to establish a national Homeland Reserve force, made up of volunteers, to respond to future disasters. Following the example of police auxiliary programs which exist in most major cities, said volunteers would undergo background checks, initial training programs and annual re-certification. In times of emergency they would be activated with limited federal peace officer status to protect critical infrastructures, including hospitals, shelters, food and water distribution points, firehouses, police precincts, and other essential government entities. That would free up police, military and other emergency services personnel to respond to the crisis at hand, engage in search and rescue operations and maintain law and order.





If you are as shocked and outraged as the rest of us by what is occurring and agree with the need for a Homeland Reserve we urge you to sign the petition below. In the coming weeks we will establish a website, www.homelandreserve.org and bring together concerned citizens just like you to offer advice and the support needed to make this a reality.