Flood victims in Cape Breton have been warned by officials with the Regional Municipality to watch out for scavengers taking off with damaged items that have been left on the curb.

John Phalen, public works manager with CBRM, said the municipality has received reports of people rooting through the belongings of flood victims that have been left on streets, a CBC News report said.

Phalen said the CBRM is trying to discourage “treasure finders,” adding that the practice can be common on ‘regular large garbage pick-up days’, and even claimed that there have been instances where flood-soaked items have ended up for sale online.

Adding that the practice of picking through the trash of flood victims can be unsafe, he described those who take items from the roadside as “opportunists, I suppose.”

Phalen also claimed that the theft of goods can end up affecting victims’ insurance claims if they have not finished documenting their damaged items.

Flood victim Felicia Abbass said a police officer had told her to “watch her things,” and that the officer told her that in some cases people were taking items such as washers and dryers before insurance agents were able to verify damage claims.

Cape Breton police said there had been no formal complaints of theft, but they are aware of the problem, the report said.

Phalen went on to say: “You got to realize it's different than the regular heavy garbage pick-up.

“These are people's belongings, and their momentos and so on and stuff that they don't really want to lose but it's out there.”

Related stories:
Minister: Aid is coming to flood-hit Canadian region
Port Lands flood protection costs up to $1.25bn