Crime During a Crisis!

"Committing a crime while in a crisis? I am guilty of it myself. "

Captured in cover photo is empty shelves of a local Dallas Tx. Walmart. Food such as fruits, vegetables, meats, and canned goods were all almost completely empty due to panic from the freeze that struck Texas this past week. This was the aftermath of civilians desperately waiting hours till their local grocery stores to open.

Do you think Small and Large Businesses should be fined or held highly accountable for Price Gauging?

If you do the crime, you do the time.. right?

Background Story

Allow me to explain before I experience backlash of being a smooth criminal. This is not the typical brutal and bloodbath offense that I usually speak about on my page, but I feel the need to tell my story to you. Upon committing my crime, I was innocently ignorant and even saw myself as a victim.

A young 18-year-old college student trying her best to juggle school, work, and life. I found myself in the middle of tragedy that struck Texas by surprise. With this being my first real job ever, my Hotel Desk Clerk position came in handy when the massive devastation happened… or so I thought. Harvey hit the Texas gulf coast with winds of 134 MPH leaving behind 20 inches of rain.

My boss at the time was kind enough to let me stay in the rooms while I worked for him during preparation of this event. Little did I know, in the morning after the hurricane stuck my hotel phones would be ringing endlessly and customers would flood the lobby eager to find somewhere to sleep. Helpless people pleaded for a room at my small three floor hotel with less than 100 rooms.

I will agree I was young and naïve at the time, so I was not aware that charging $400 a night was against the law. I did not realize that me simply doing my job would be a crime. I knew it was ridiculous and sad at the time turning those who could not afford the rates but, what could I do about it? I just followed my boss’s orders and gave the outrageous rates to those desperately wanting a room; some did not mind paying the amount because their houses caved in or flooded with water.

Little did I know I would wake up the next morning to find my face plastered in the media due to my hotel being sued, fined, and stripped from their franchising name for price gouging during crisis. I was in shock as a hidden camera and reporter recorded footage of me.

Point of View

Looking around now, the winter blizzard happening in Texas reminded me of the past crime experience that I have endured. Prices are being raised on water, meat, resources and basic human necessities; it is inhumane especially during a crisis that is happening right now.

A case of water was selling for $6 normally they go for $3.25 along with meat selling an average of $7 more per lb. With millions of people without water and electricity half of the state was frozen solid and many people were trapped in the blistering cold. Many lost their lives because of hypothermia and the human dependency of machines to keep the elderly, disabled, and bed ridden alive due to no power. Homeless people and stray animals all depended on the community to come together and create warming centers.

Although I learned my lesson the hard way years ago, living in this historic event I am able to look back on my mistakes and realize the importance of being a good person to others during their time of need and helplessness. Always do the ethical thing and practice giving back, even when you barely have for yourself.