While it is best to take heed of the potential for scammers following Friday’s devastating tornado, the good news is that local law enforcement hasn’t had any specific reports of such activities.
The tornado caused extensive damage to homes and businesses in Pulaski, extending from southern Somerset on through Mt. Victory and across the Laurel County line. As such, there have been many social media posts warning those who have damage not to fall victim to scammers who approach them with offers of repair work.
When contacted Tuesday, however, neither Pulaski County Sheriff Bobby Jones nor Somerset Police Chief Josh Wesley said they had heard of any actual in-person scammers in this area.
Jones said that part of the problem may be “computer generated” posts or well-meaning posts from people who don’t live here.
“What we’re being told now is, they’re warning us about so-and-so, or someone’s up in Somerset doing this and that, and that may not even be legit,” Jones said.
Still, it doesn’t hurt to be wary, either of potential repair scams or of those who claim they are soliciting donations.
Jones asked people not to give out personal information, credit card information or money to anyone they are unsure about.
“We (emergency services) don’t have any GoFundMe setups, and everything should be running through the Emergency Management Office. They can call that number to find out if something is legit or not,” Jones said.
That number is 606-451-0810.
Wesley added that both the City of Somerset has posted information of different entities that are helping are that are safe to give donations to.
“If people are wanting to help or donate, I would encourage them to seek those trusted outlets,” he said.
The larger concern for both Jones and Wesley was the potential of looters, although Wesley said that his department has not dealt with anyone along those lines, either.
“We’ve had people in the (damage) area that maybe don’t have any business (being there), but we don’t know they were up to no good. Maybe just sightseeing,” Wesley said.
Jones, however, said his department has seen evidence of it.
“We arrested some the night before last for doing something down south,” Jones said. “And we’re getting some tips in there may be a couple out east that’s potentially looking to do some looting in that area, so be conscious of that as well.”
Jones also discussed social media posts that talked about information his department received from a London-based Kentucky State trooper which stated that there were people traveling in a black SUV “pretending to be FEMA.”
Jones said his department was unable to locate the vehicle to confirm or deny that they were from the federal agency, but did say that there are law enforcement personnel coming in from county and city departments outside of Pulaski to help in in the area of the tornado destruction.
Legitimate patrols of outside agencies will be in vehicles that have their department clearly visible on the side, Jones said, and their officers will be in uniform.
Wesley added that there are members of the Kentucky National Guard in the area who have also been assisting to keep areas where buildings were destroyed safe.
While the National Guard personnel do not have enforcement authority, he said they are “helping to keep eyes on the area.”
Pulaski County Judge-Executive Marshall Todd enacted a curfew Monday for the Parkers Mill Road area and all side roads to attempt to prevent looting. That curfew takes place from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., and only area residents and authorized personnel will be allowed in the area during those times.
Both Jones and Wesley asked people who are not assisting with cleanup or delivering supplies to those in need to stay out of those areas at all times so that emergency crews can continue with cleanup operations.