It’s both frightening and disheartening to hear news of violent outbreaks and lawless behavior in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

It’s a sad reminder of how humanity can be lost when people become hopeless and desperate.

The situation in New Orleans on Thursday clearly was desperate. Large areas of the city are without electrical power and drinking water. Under the circumstances it may be understandable that people would break into stores in search of food and water, but looting has gone far beyond that.

Guns have been stolen, and armed gangs reportedly are roaming the streets. Helicopters trying to evacuate hospital patients have been shot at by people demanding to be rescued themselves. Armed gunmen threatened the driver of a nursing home van and stole the vehicle.

Military and law enforcement personnel have had to pull back from rescue activities and redirect their efforts to restoring order in the streets. Emergency workers trying to bring food, water and other assistance into the city have been forced to withdraw for their own safety.

In fear and desperation, it seems people are reverting to their animal instincts. A police captain, perhaps being more charitable than many observers of the scene could be, said “These are good people. These are just scared people.”

Local officials are right to give top priority to restoring safety to the city. As long as armed gangs are roaming the streets, it will be difficult for either federal agencies or charitable organizations to provide life-saving aid to the city. Descriptions of the scene are horrific, like something from a post-apocalypse movie. It’s easy to understand the sense of desperation that some New Orleans residents are feeling, but order must be restored.

This clearly is a situation no city can handle alone. The nation needs to rise to the challenge and help New Orleans get back on its feet. American military forces already are stretched, but President Bush should dedicate whatever troops are available to restore order and help evacuate survivors until New Orleans becomes habitable again.

Perhaps some heroes will emerge, some people who will give the people of New Orleans some hope. The “Big Easy” always has been known as a free-wheeling city, full of life and fun. The scene after Katrina is a city in free-fall and desperate for help.