Looters and Squatters Threaten Sandy-Hit Staten Island

Fortunately for the bad guys, New York law leaves people essentially defenseless

Staten Island residents already suffering from the ravages of Hurricane Sandy say they are now seeing their neighborhoods infiltrated by squatters and looters.

As CBS 2's Dick Brennan reported Wednesday, when darkness sets in on Wavecrest Street in New Dorp, people say squatters make their move – crashing empty homes wrecked by the hurricane.

"They just go in there late at night when nobody is supposed to be looking, and they just flop in the house and sleep in there, wherever," resident Steven Sumner said. …

But he said he has managed to fight back, with many different weapons, including a cane, a baseball bat, two rakes, and a stick.

(H/T CampingInYourPark)