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Should those who ignore mandatory evacuations be arrested and/or prosecuted?

Asked by tinyfaery (44107points) August 31st, 2009

Currently, there is a huge fire raging in Los Angeles. People who ignored mandatory evacuations are trapped and firefighters have to risk their own lives to save them, not to mention the resources involved. Mandatory evacuation cannot be enforced. In other words, residents cannot be forced to leave.

If residents don’t leave after a mandatory evacuation has been ordered should they be arrested for their own safety and the safety of others? Or do they have right to stay and potentially risk the lives of others and waste precious resources? If these people do need to be rescued, should they be charged for the resources used to save them?

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