Local Government Evacuation Policies Could Leave Residents Stranded

BRADENTON -- One standard evacuation policy brought forward at Tuesday night's Council of Government's meeting troubled councilwoman Marianne Barneby. Under the current county policy, residents who are evacuated must show two forms of I.D. in order to return to their homes -- a valid driver's license and a utility bill. But what about those residents who don't drive or rent their property? The City of Bradenton may try to either amend the policy or remedy the issue by distributing decals for resident vehicles.

Often in the event of an emergency such as a hurricane, law enforcement officials helping with reconstruction efforts are from other areas or include National Guard units. In order to protect citizens from break-ins and businesses from looting, they set up checkpoints and require two forms of ID for residents to reenter an evacuated area. City council members argued that the requirement could make it difficult for citizens to return to their property.

”This is why everyone hates government,“ said Councilman Bemis Smith. ”What about the residents that aren’t citizens? We took away their driver’s licenses and now we are telling them if they don’t have one, they won’t be able to have a homecoming either.“

Barneby was the only Bradenton city council member who attended the Council of Governments meeting on Tuesday.

Members were also concerned with how the law affected homeowners or tenants who don’t’ own the apartment or house they live in.

”Basically we just need proof,“ explained Laurie Feagans, public safety chief of emergency management. ”The officers are there to help and protect, not hurt residents. Every owner who rents a property will have homeowners’ insurance.“

Feagans said that the intent of her presentation on Tuesday was to inform citizens of the need to take critical documents with them during evacuation. She emphasized the necessity of having any photo identification, a utility bill, lease agreement or anything else that would prove where one lives in order to get back in the neighborhood after the evacuation. 

Councilman Patrick Roff suggested issuing city residents a car decal, which is standard practice in the cities of Homes Beach and Anna Maria. Feagans said a decal would bypass the need for identification. 

”When the city issues decals or cards they are assuming the role of credentializing their citizens – it makes it easier to tell who belongs in the area,“ she said.

City Clerk Carl Callahan said the car stickers or resident cards could be issued via utility bill. Smith argued that the undertaking would consist of unnecessary spending.

”We are a service industry,“ said Roff. ”This is another aspect of emergency preparation. To issue each citizen a car sticker prior to any emergency, just in case, wouldn’t be a huge amount of money. 

Feagans said the only reason for the checkpoints is to inform locals of any danger caused by the storm, like flooded roads or dangerous wires that came down. If a storm is small and no major damage occurred, then they are not required.

”I think citizens have a clear understanding of what we are trying to do and greatly appreciate our efforts,“ she said. 

Almost all 67 Florida counties have similar plans in place, which are shaped according to area law enforcement strategies.