ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The St. Johns Sheriff's Office is warning people affected by Hurricane Matthew to put their belongings in a safe location outside if they are cleaning up from the storm.
Deputies said Wednesday that they have received numerous reports about people picking up damaged goods that aren't theirs. But they said it is not a crime if the items are in the trash-removal area on the curb of the street.
Recommended Videos
Dozens of St. Augustine residents have been turning their homes inside out as they clean up from the flooding that ruined furniture, flooring and appliances. But some people are taking advantage of turning those damaged goods into something new.
Homeowners are worried that could impact the money they get from insurance.
Priceless memorabilia, furniture, toys and antiques lined the streets of the Davis Shores neighborhood after Hurricane Matthew hit Friday.
"We had to get rid of European China cabinets," Penny Lambert said.
Lambert said it's hard enough to grasp the loss of her possessions, but to make matters worse, there have been random people coming by to take what's left.
"Everything that gets put on the side of the road is available for everyone. Not that we like people coming through the neighborhood, but we expect it to happen," Lambert said.
Already overwhelmed by cleanup, neighbors are now frustrated their belongings are becoming someone else's treasure.
"People are coming by the recyclers, people from out of town who are trying to get the furniture that we put out there," Robert Nettles said.
The St. Augustine Police Department said officers are patrolling the area heavily, but it's not illegal to take debris and furniture that is considered "trash" on the side of the road.
But homeowners still have problems with others taking things that aren't theirs.
"I have a whole bunch of wood that we are doing for an upstairs project and everyone's been trying to take that, any of our kids' toys, all of our stuff out there for our little girl has been taken. Anything metal is gone," Nettles said.
And with people picking up the leftovers, there's also concerns that these homeowners won't be able to make proper insurance claims.
"It's not letting us have proof for the insurance adjusters to see how much product and devastation we truly have as we put it out there," Nettles said.
The Sheriff's Office said many people have asked if the removal affects the evaluation or review of the insurance adjuster for damages. Since it doesn't author the policies for many insurance companies, the Sheriff's Office said it cannot answer that question.
Deputies said they suggest people take videos or photos of their property and/or damage immediately and contact their insurance companies with any questions.