Document: 395 U.S. 85 89 S.Ct. 1511 23 L.Ed.2d 117 The NATIONAL BOARD OF YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATIONS et al., Petitioners,v.UNITED STATES. No. 517. Argued March 3, 1969. Decided May 19, Ronald A. Jacks, Washington, D.C., for petitioners. Peter L. Strauss, respondent. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Petitioners brought this suit against United States in Court Claims1 seeking just compensation under Fifth Amendment damages done by rioters to buildings occupied troops during riots Panama January 1964. Claims held that actions Army did not constitute a 'taking' within meaning and entered summary judgment States. 396 F.2d 467, 184 Ct.Cl. 427 (1968). We granted certiorari. 393 959, 399, 21 372 affirm. 2 Petitioners' buildings, YMCA Building Masonic Temple, are situated next each other on Atlantic side Canal Zone at its boundary with Republic Panama. Rioting began part 8 p.m. 9, Between 9:15 9:30 p.m., an unruly mob 1,500 persons marched Administration center segment there raised Panamanian flag. Many members then proceeded petitioners' buildings—and adjacent Company Office Storage Building. They these looting wrecking interiors, started fire 3 At 9:50 Colonel Sachse, commander 4th Battalion, 10th Infantry, Army, was ordered move his mission clearing from sealing border further encroachment. three ejected rioters, were deployed outside buildings. assault soldiers rocks, bricks, plate glass, Molotov cocktails, intermittent sniper fire. return gunfire but sought contain tear gas grenades. By midnight, one soldier had been killed several wounded bullets; many others injured flying debris. Shortly after Sachse moved inside so men might be better protected 4 remained siege throughout night. On morning 10, subject concentrated barrage cocktails. building set afire, early afternoon forced evacuate it take up positions building's parking lot which sandbagged Following evacuation, continued target also withdrew Temple except small observation post top floor maintained. like heavy attack following withdrawal troops, greatest damage being suffered 12 as result extensive fire-bomb activity. third area—the Building—was totally destroyed 11 5 13, dispersed, all hostile action area ceased. auditorium-gymnasium destroyed, rest badly damaged. considerably less because predominantly concrete brick construction. Other damaged or destroyed. These located along between Panama, none, Storgae Building, riot. 6 their basic facts stipulated, parties judgment. found 'abundantly clear record * military units dispatched General O'Meara sent purpose intention requisitioning taking (petitioners') house soldiers. Both previously looted rioters. Sachse's wee remove Panamanians order prevent loss destruction seal off incursions into portion Zone.' F.2d, 473—474, Ct.Cl., 438. Accordingly, court 'the temporary occupancy inflicted them such use contemplation fifth amendment *.' Id., 473, Government's motion granted, denied, case dismissed. 7 outset, we note although petitioners claim occurred retreated hours no showing any presence troops. To contrary, is very severe before even arrived. Indeed, if have common characteristic, they American soldiers, thus readily susceptible attacks mobs coming do our decision basis, however, would could show Just Compensation Clause 'designed bar Government forcing some people alone bear public burdens which, fairness justice, should borne whole.' Armstrong v. States, 364 40, 49, 80 1563, 1569, 1554 (1960); see Sponenbarger, 308 256, 266, 60 225, 229, 84 L.Ed. 230 (1939).2 argue protecting those general defense whole. Therefore, contend, made cost while inside. stipulated record, does support factual premise; rather, demonstrates acting primarily 9 advance plans fortresses Nor deployment strategic simple fact where were.3 And once arrived area, every designed protect attack. First, expelled putting out Then stood guard defend renewed 2,000 3,000 who area. In property considerable losses retreat 10 It protection sheet, Counsel Department stated that: '(T)he YMCA-Masonic vicinity instructions property, (and) actions, according statements taken, consistent instructions. A captain, affidavit, states he given message battalion convey officer placed charge Temple. was, captain's words, '* attempted enter intent appropriate used. *' According went state, Those 1st assume forcibly entering either persons.' receive order, passed men. One sergeant's affidavit names officer, recounts receiving him. own 'The defended costs.' 'Other individual describe taken minimize attempting cause. Several throwing firing rifle-launched grenades hurling cocktails Another describes using similar agents 'to keep crowd YMCA,' still themselves physically routing come through windows.' (Italics supplied.) commanding riot testified same effect: 13 thrown front it. unable due Therefore practically lost most cocktails.' 14 Thus, can doubt Of course, private serves broader purpose. But where, here, party particular intended beneficiary governmental activity, 'fairness justice' require may activity 'be whole,' though incidentally benefit public. See supra, 1569; 229. Were otherwise, bodies liable owners time policemen break down doors foil burglars thought 15 must fail yet another reason. oral argument, conceded incited greater agree. legal position improved actually occupy Ordinarily, occupation deprives owner deprivation Constitution requires compensation. See, e.g. Motors, 323 373, 378, 65 357, 359, 311 (1945). There are, unusual circumstances deprive property. For example, entry firemen upon burning premises cannot said premises. instant case, physical entered, already well way, Throughout period occupation, used way. only increased resulting seem depend whether positioned Troops standing cause case—and government causally related misconduct leads damage—a determination involvement sufficiently direct substantial Amendment. violence aimed officers Certainly, successfully invoked situation rock hurled walking beat happens Similarly, conclude temporary, unplanned course battle enough warrant occasion decide required fashion present here makes parties. 16 Affirmed. 17 STEWART, concurring. 18 If forces purposes—as bastion command post, example—it seems me taking, himself deprived personal building. Since I understand hold join opinion. 19 HARLAN, concurring result. 20 alternative courses open army commander. prior strategy ground without returning rioters' fire; second, repel deadly force; third, entire leaving temporarily control. adopted first two strategies, resulted military's occupation. what it? completely abandoned regrouped later counter-attack, little subjected than suffered. believe decisive. appears that, control situations, properly when reason question peril form provided all. I. 22 start premise generally speaking, complete failure provide police single amount Every man robbed n street demand fully effective times. not, otherwise. Yet surely guarantee serious civil disturbances apparent threatened mob. unprotected remain uncompensated, justice compensating petitioners, merely contend inadequate protection. recover bare afforded 'inadequate' has additional defect noted. courts consider 'adequate,' make judgments best left officials directly responsible electorate. possible maintain willing kill large number rebuttal, persuasively indiscriminate force enraged likelihood future disturbances. Which accept? Clearly, far sounder defer duly constituted branches regard. 24 is, then, both unfair unwise favor obtained over received none protective foreseeably risk required. Since, reasonably believed rather 'inadequate.' 25 emphasize, test advanced applied gevernment effort today payment demolished intervened Once tranquility restored, legitimately expect will saved surging streets control, everyone recognize time. think say, way suggest victims undeserving relief. Congress, Court, extent compensated, regardless owns. II. 26 While agree constitutionally available state my views matter since precise rules majority announces remains obscure certain critical points. Moreover, deciding spare search principles calculated fit arise democracy again regains equilibrium. 27 sets tests govern application situations. denies recovery 'particular beneficiary' Governe nt's operations. Ante, 92. disagree formula means apply whenever policing power believes increase beyond language chosen leaves good deal ambiguity scope. If, deliberately contents ground, difficult indeed call action. Nevertheless, burned anyway, denied reasons us. Cf. Caltex, Inc., 344 149, 73 200, 97 157 (1952). 28 Court's indicate subjective building, need belief reasonable one. widest leeway must, good-faith judgment, am prepared subscribe judicial abnegation extent. concludes, convincing evidence, know significantly awarded faith. 29 accept 'intended caveats, second advances deny case. analogizes simply posted properties. them, caused too 'indirect' consequence awarding follows, says harm strategy, Army's nevertheless damage. 30 This ignores salient difference hypothesizes confront. street, special contrast, instance enjoyed As statement clear, pays shelter officials, exception exposed lesser entirely unprotected. 31 forth opinion, concur 32 BLACK, whom DOUGLAS joins, dissenting. 33 'Shortly (which included sought) fire.' 87. selected itself carrying safeguarding zone targets save fortress found, 'tos eal 474, 427, 438 time, hardly owners. Instead, generally. feel guiding principle this: Whenever determines person's property—whatever be—is essential war appropriates good, purse, individual, loss.' 156, 204, (1952) (dissenting Douglas). Jurisdiction based U.S.C. § 1491. discussion purposes Clause, Michelman, Property, Utility, Fairness: Comments Ethical Foundations 'Just Compensation' Law, Harv.L.Rev. 1165 (1967); Sax, Takings Police Power, 74 Yale L.J. 36 (1964). significant outset rioting companies—'B' Company—to blocks away '(t)he 'B' none' sb sequently near

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