Thieves are stealing pieces of the city's soul

In Holy Cross, the corner of the Lower 9th Ward given the best shot for rebirth, a silent rage rises up from the still-empty houses at the latest indignity of post-Katrina life. "Keep Out Grave Robbers," blares one in a collection of hand-painted signs scrawled on houses in the neighborhood, reflecting both its defiance and despair. With looters having stolen what they can from in and around the houses, residents say thieves are now picking apart the houses themselves, making off with architectural detail work.

from the NY Times