OTTAWA — National disaster expert Lori Peek said incidents of vandalism and looting after major disasters is often overblown as it was after Hurricane Katrina and the Haitian earthquake. After nearly hysterical news coverage about looting, anarchy and violence, it was found out that little of that happened, said Peek, a Colorado State professor who written books about cultures facing major disasters. Instead, the disaster victims were trying to restore social order and were busy rescuing one another, she said. She is this year’s Hostetter-DeFries Speaker at Ottawa University. Peek, an OU graduate, will talk to students and the public on Muslim Americans after 9-11 and the social impact of Hurricane Katrina in about two weeks. She was featured on Sunday’s Community Perspective, the public affairs program produced by KOFO News.
Monday, April 5, 1 p.m.
