Hopefully this upcoming briefing isn't yet another attempt to double down on the tired "trust first responders and stay home, the chaos is the fault of irresponsible individuals" talking points we've been hearing from authorities since Friday.
#BuffaloBlizzard
#BuffaloBlizzard
A lot of people are dead and the city is traumatized. Neighbors are taking major risks in severe weather to help each other and many lives have been saved as a result. No one needs gaslighting right now.
#BuffaloBlizzard
#BuffaloBlizzard
Telling folks to trust authorities after years of doing next-to-nothing to build that trust is tone-deaf and arrogant. There were serious planning failures - things that should've been done *before* the storm, but weren't.
#BuffaloBlizzard
#BuffaloBlizzard
Leaders must acknowledge the systemic roots of this tragedy instead of blaming people for behaving exactly how humans are known to behave during emergencies.
Some recognition for the community's heroic organizing would be nice, too. But I'd settle for no gaslighting. #Buffalo
Some recognition for the community's heroic organizing would be nice, too. But I'd settle for no gaslighting. #Buffalo
Yikes.
Spectrum reporter asks Poloncarz about plans for the people running out food. He gives a non-answer (they have no plan), then goes on to say people should've had 2wks of food & medicine on hand for the emergency.
Remember, #Buffalo is one of America's poorest cities.
Spectrum reporter asks Poloncarz about plans for the people running out food. He gives a non-answer (they have no plan), then goes on to say people should've had 2wks of food & medicine on hand for the emergency.
Remember, #Buffalo is one of America's poorest cities.
Food insecurity on the hard-hit East Side gained national attention last May when a white supremacist targeted the community's only grocery store in a mass shooting.
The city and state have yet to address the problem in a meaningful way. #BuffaloBlizzard slate.com/news-and-polit…
The city and state have yet to address the problem in a meaningful way. #BuffaloBlizzard slate.com/news-and-polit…
Poloncarz goes on to thank Wegmans and Tops for delivering food to first responders. This appears to have been the extent of their organizing around the food issue.
Most of Buffalo's first responders presumably live in the suburbs and are not food insecure.
Most of Buffalo's first responders presumably live in the suburbs and are not food insecure.
Another reporter asks about looting.
Poloncarz hands it over to the undersheriff who laments the "opportunistic criminals in our society," then says he doesn't have any specific details...
Poloncarz hands it over to the undersheriff who laments the "opportunistic criminals in our society," then says he doesn't have any specific details...
Undersheriff proceeds to make vague statements about a possible arrest and that they "perhaps even recovered a weapon." 🙄
Many social media videos show people "looting" basic necessities like toilet paper and water.
And then there's this king [pictured]
#BuffaloBlizzard
Many social media videos show people "looting" basic necessities like toilet paper and water.
And then there's this king [pictured]
#BuffaloBlizzard
Next question is about price gouging. Reporter cites contractor charging $400 to plow driveway.
Poloncarz says price gouging is illegal, people should call Erie County's consumer advocacy office.
Priority is toilet paper & gumball machine looters on the East Side, apparently.
Poloncarz says price gouging is illegal, people should call Erie County's consumer advocacy office.
Priority is toilet paper & gumball machine looters on the East Side, apparently.
Next up, we have the commissioner for DHS & emergency services. He's supposed to answer a question about hospital supplies and staffing.
"We've been working...to assist in getting employees swapped out." A lot of hospital staff have been working for 48hrs+
"We've been working...to assist in getting employees swapped out." A lot of hospital staff have been working for 48hrs+
DHS guy goes on to suggest "looting" is to blame for emergency response delays.
Part of their Fire and Mutual Aid Plan involves preloaded gas cards for emergency responders and about a dozen convenience store card readers are broken...?
#BuffaloBlizzard
Part of their Fire and Mutual Aid Plan involves preloaded gas cards for emergency responders and about a dozen convenience store card readers are broken...?
#BuffaloBlizzard
"People might think, okay, 7-11 gas station is looted, it really doesn't make a big impact... But there's a trickle down."
"The looting... impacts our ability to resupply the facilities we need to resupply."
My tweet's rent-free in his head, apparently.
"The looting... impacts our ability to resupply the facilities we need to resupply."
My tweet's rent-free in his head, apparently.
https://twitter.com/joni_elena/status/1607069753339744256?s=20&t=lOA9OdiBR-g2Ea-7JfvmJw
It's worth nothing that looting is a regular and expected occurrence during natural disasters.
The commissioner doesn't explain why they don't have a backup plan for buying fuel in the likely event commercial pumps become inoperable.
#BuffaloBlizzard
The commissioner doesn't explain why they don't have a backup plan for buying fuel in the likely event commercial pumps become inoperable.
#BuffaloBlizzard
Side-note: I'm glad the commissioner understands the concept of "trickle down" effects.
Hopefully he will apply that same framework to analyzing why Buffalo residents don't trust authorities, can't afford food, and turn to looting in a crisis.
Hopefully he will apply that same framework to analyzing why Buffalo residents don't trust authorities, can't afford food, and turn to looting in a crisis.
Reporter asks about the SNOW hotline. People can't get through. Reporter asks if it's operable, or if there's another hotline people can call for info about missing loved ones, etc.
Poloncarz says no, there is no hotline for finding out about missing or deceased family members.
Poloncarz says no, there is no hotline for finding out about missing or deceased family members.
He says the SNOW line is working but inundated with calls. If people try calling and get a busy signal, they should call back later. Apparently, there's no hold queue, either.
#BuffaloBlizzard
#BuffaloBlizzard
"These are for serious issues...not for an update on the weather."
Poloncarz is starting to get agitated about how people are using the SNOW line. Apparently, they've received 20,000 calls - many about driving bans, etc.
Remember, there is no alternative hotline available.
Poloncarz is starting to get agitated about how people are using the SNOW line. Apparently, they've received 20,000 calls - many about driving bans, etc.
Remember, there is no alternative hotline available.
Poloncarz says people should get their info from YouTube broadcast and the local media.
No comment on why local authorities didn't prepare for the fact that people might try calling them for information during and after a dangerous blizzard.
#BuffaloBlizzard
No comment on why local authorities didn't prepare for the fact that people might try calling them for information during and after a dangerous blizzard.
#BuffaloBlizzard
For the record, this is the extent of the SNOW hotline info given to the public before the storm.
Note how they don't clarify what constitutes a "non-life threatening but serious situation."
Also, no alternative number or website provided for non-urgent inquiries.
#BuffaloNY
Note how they don't clarify what constitutes a "non-life threatening but serious situation."
Also, no alternative number or website provided for non-urgent inquiries.
#BuffaloNY
Summary:
If you're driving around, it's your fault we can't help people. We will ticket you.
If you're out of food and meds, you're out of food and meds. You should've stocked up for 2 wks. But we're looking into it.
...
If you're driving around, it's your fault we can't help people. We will ticket you.
If you're out of food and meds, you're out of food and meds. You should've stocked up for 2 wks. But we're looking into it.
...
Looting, but we have no specific details.
Looters are why first responders are delayed, because approx. a dozen convenience stores can't run pre-paid gas cards.
Stop calling the SNOW line for non-life threatening situations. No, there isn't another hotline.
#BuffaloBlizzard
Looters are why first responders are delayed, because approx. a dozen convenience stores can't run pre-paid gas cards.
Stop calling the SNOW line for non-life threatening situations. No, there isn't another hotline.
#BuffaloBlizzard
Also, at least 25 people are dead - *from the storm* - and it's terrible.
More than 10k people are still without power and it won't be back until at least tomorrow.
There is no plan to assist these people with heat, shelter, or food at this time.
#BuffaloBlizzard
More than 10k people are still without power and it won't be back until at least tomorrow.
There is no plan to assist these people with heat, shelter, or food at this time.
#BuffaloBlizzard
I'm frustrated we haven't heard anything at all about Buffalo's large refugee community, mostly made up of people who didn't grow up with snowstorms and blizzards.
Why were no emergency services made available in languages other than English? #BuffaloBlizzard
Why were no emergency services made available in languages other than English? #BuffaloBlizzard
I personally called over a dozen people on Thursday to warn them. No one knew - no efforts were made to communicate the severity of the storm or the dangers to Buffalonians born outside the USA.
Fortunately, most of the folks I'm in touch with are safe. Shaken, but safe.
Fortunately, most of the folks I'm in touch with are safe. Shaken, but safe.
No apparent* efforts. If there were efforts, I haven't heard of them and they weren't effective.
As far as I can tell, this is the only thing we've heard from emergency crews about our refugee and immigrant neighbors.
Here's the source link:
Unfortunately, it's been taken down since I first shared this clip.
#BuffaloBlizzard
Here's the source link:
Unfortunately, it's been taken down since I first shared this clip.
#BuffaloBlizzard
I know this 🧵 sets Poloncarz up for a lot of blame, but please remember that we should blame Byron Brown & Co. a lot, lot more.
Please don't pile onto Poloncarz, only. They're gonna go for a fall guy - don't let them. This is a system.
#BuffaloNY
Please don't pile onto Poloncarz, only. They're gonna go for a fall guy - don't let them. This is a system.
#BuffaloNY
Besides, Poloncarz already did his time with the WNY Reply Guys & Gals during the mask mandates.
And why is a County Executive always the front-guy for everything that happens in Buffalo, anyway? Where is Byron Brown?
And why is a County Executive always the front-guy for everything that happens in Buffalo, anyway? Where is Byron Brown?
"Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said evidence seen on social media indicates looters are not merely taking essential items."
#BuffaloBlizzard
#BuffaloBlizzard
https://twitter.com/joni_elena/status/1607402958978777093?s=20&t=5jrmijRZYs4hb5WyqCooCA
Anyway, now that authorities are very clearly leaning into the "looters and chaos" narrative, here's a counter narrative.
Meet Shahida Muhammad. For two days, she and her partner kept their baby boy alive with a manual ventilator. wkbw.com/news/local-new…
Meet Shahida Muhammad. For two days, she and her partner kept their baby boy alive with a manual ventilator. wkbw.com/news/local-new…
Authorities said during a press conference that they went to her home and found no one. Poloncarz went so far as to question whether her story was even true.
After authorities failed to rescue the family, this king drove from Niagara Falls and brought them to safety.
#BuffaloNY
After authorities failed to rescue the family, this king drove from Niagara Falls and brought them to safety.
#BuffaloNY
According to his Facebook, Shaquille Jones spent several hours stuck in a car on Friday. Then, he and a crew drove from Niagara Falls into Buffalo and started responding to rescue requests on social media - beginning with baby Major.
#BuffaloBlizzard2022
#BuffaloBlizzard2022
Shaquille and others are still out rescuing people. He posted this livestream to his Facebook an hour ago.
One of his crew was denied a bathroom because "we don't serve your kind." The only logical outcome of "looters and chaos" copaganda in a segregated city.
#BuffaloBlizzard
One of his crew was denied a bathroom because "we don't serve your kind." The only logical outcome of "looters and chaos" copaganda in a segregated city.
#BuffaloBlizzard
According to his latest update, Shaquille's currently responding to an urgent rescue request posted on the Buffalo Blizzard 2022 Facebook group a few hours ago.
#BuffaloBlizzard2022
#BuffaloBlizzard2022
He asked the National Guard for help and they refused. Apparently because they're waiting on food.
This is an ongoing situation, I hope they can get to that guy soon.
Full video: fb.watch/hFZzF441S0/
#BuffaloBlizzard2022
This is an ongoing situation, I hope they can get to that guy soon.
Full video: fb.watch/hFZzF441S0/
#BuffaloBlizzard2022
Yesterday, Shaquille Jones refused to accept money, despite the chorus of people asking for his CashApp on Facebook.
Today, he helped organize a warming center at Level One Complex and is now accepting donations. Follow his Facebook for expense receipts! #BuffaloBlizzard
Today, he helped organize a warming center at Level One Complex and is now accepting donations. Follow his Facebook for expense receipts! #BuffaloBlizzard
Yesterday, Shaquille Jones refused to accept money, despite the chorus of people asking for his CashApp on Facebook.
Today, he helped organize a warming center at Level One Complex and is now accepting donations. Follow his Facebook for expense receipts! #BuffaloBlizzard
Today, he helped organize a warming center at Level One Complex and is now accepting donations. Follow his Facebook for expense receipts! #BuffaloBlizzard
@Freeyourmindkid can you boost this thread? Let's get Shaquille some more recognition and donations 🙏🙏🙏
#BuffaloBlizzard2022
#BuffaloBlizzard2022
Good news: the guy stuck on Comstock has been saved!
No thanks to the National Guard.
#BuffaloBlizzard2022
No thanks to the National Guard.
#BuffaloBlizzard2022
Good news: the guy stuck on Comstock has been saved!
No thanks to the National Guard.
(Forgot to attack pic to previous post)
#BuffaloBlizzard2022
No thanks to the National Guard.
(Forgot to attack pic to previous post)
#BuffaloBlizzard2022
I'm taking a break but will add more to this thread soon.
Byron Brown hasn't featured prominently in this thread, yet. That's symbolic of his absence before and during this tragedy. He should've been leading the city through this.
Byron Brown hasn't featured prominently in this thread, yet. That's symbolic of his absence before and during this tragedy. He should've been leading the city through this.
Music break!
"Ain't no one player that could beat this lunacy. Ain't no hustler on the street could do a whole community."
🎶 Boots Riley & The Coup 🎶
#BuffaloBlizzard2022
"Ain't no one player that could beat this lunacy. Ain't no hustler on the street could do a whole community."
🎶 Boots Riley & The Coup 🎶
#BuffaloBlizzard2022
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