I was about to disagree until I considered this as appeasement strategy.  It's ok, whatever money they save by averting looters they will probably lose because they will have offended the people who provide the majority of their profits. Although, it could be taking a stand, as in backing one side of a war, in which case this can be treated as their signature on their declaration of being traitors. From that perspective, the cowardly action is inaction.