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Jed Boal ReportingWhile communities hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina plead for more help, there is growing frustration that resources that are available are not getting to the people who need it. We found one Utah Sheriff's office desperately trying to help hurricane victims.
The Morgan County Sheriff's Office owns one of the best boats in the country for shallow water rescue. The brand new craft was ready to go to Louisiana four days ago.
Chief Deputy Kevin Edwards, Morgan County Sheriff's Office: "For rescue, it's ideal. It can get supplies where they're going."
The community pitched in emergency supplies to deliver. Last week the National Sheriff's Association put out a request for boats like this on behalf of the state of Louisiana. But the boat cannot go unless it has FEMA authorization or a specific request from a state in the disaster area, a request to our state for help. Authorization stalled in the complexity of managing this disaster.
Chief Deputy Kevin Edwards, Morgan County Sheriff's Office: "It's too bad you can't load up and go. That would be a problem if everyone showed up, it would be overrun with people. I understand you have to go at it the right way."
The Sheriff's Office is frustrated that the boat sits, rather than searches.
Chief Deputy Kevin Edwards, Morgan County Sheriff's Office: "They have a lot of boats and many were damaged...it could be useful, a plus for everybody."
The crew eagerly awaits the go-ahead, but as of now, the Sheriff's Office still does not have the FEMA authorization to join the search.
