This man in Long Bay, Portland, makes off with two crates of Guinness after the roof and outer walls of a bar were destroyed by the brute force winds of Tropical Storm Gustav. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Residents of Old Harbour Bay, although fearful of the devastation Tropical Storm Gustav may inflict on the small fishing village, several persons say they are more fearful of the threat of looters.

When The Gleaner team arrived at the Baptist Bay School, the official shelter, several persons including men, women and children were present. Barrels of water, gas canisters and a portable radio television, were some of the emergency items on the premises.

A member of the community, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Gleaner that she would not be staying in the shelter, which many residents have used to store their belongings, mattresses and electrical appliances.

With her daughter on the lookout for potential looters, the mother of three relayed her disgust at some of her community members' actions.

"People too thief, they're reckless a storm is coming and they're just reckless and wait to take people's things," she said.

Following her experience after Hurricane Dean, the resident said she stored her personal belongings with a family friend in Gutters, to prevent a similar occurrence. She assured that, as the weather conditions continued to deteriorate, at the last minute she would leave for her place of safety.

"I can't lose anything this year, so I have to be people watching, cos we don't get any help all now since Ivan."