It was reported by a few news outlets that a surfer was arrested off the shore of Galveston, Texas for not following evacuation orders and surfing the large waves created by Hurricane Rita.
Reports stated that he was taken into custody after leaving the water by Galveston Police.
Should the police involve themselves in a case of a citizen not following mandatory evacuation orders?
That is a double edged sword.
The authorities have the power to forcibly remove and arrest any individual, for their own safety, when their actions endanger their own life.
I have never heard this happening during an approaching hurricane, but it has happened now.
Doesn’t this person have the right to choice when it comes to his desires and interests? That is not a question I am in the position to answer.
But look at the other side of the coin.
If the authorities had allowed the man to surf to his heart’s content, and he had been injured or perhaps killed, what would have happened?
Some may have blamed the police for not looking out for the person. Others would say it was the police’s fault for not doing their job.
I think the police have better things to do than look out for this guy. If he was stupid enough to surf an approaching hurricane, he gets what he deserves.
Surfing is a sport, and people have the right to participate to their heart’s content, but they should use their your head.
Kudos goes out to the police for arresting this guy. I guess his actions will inspire some to surf and others to rally around him. “To each his own,” as my late father would have said.
I think he should thank the police for looking out for him.
