Los Angeles County public officials have vowed to crack down on people allegedly stealing from homes as devastating wildfires spread through the region, insisting that lawbreakers will face consequences.
“In the midst of an emergency, we have all seen individuals targeting vulnerable communities by burglarizing and looting homes. This is simply unacceptable,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Katherine Barger told reporters Thursday.
Barger then addressed the thieves directly: “I promise you that you will be held accountable. Shame on those who prey on our residents during this time of crisis.
The Los Angeles Police Department has made 20 arrests since the wildfires broke out Tuesday, Barger said, adding that law enforcement officers are “proactively patrolling to protect these communities from looting and any criminal activity.”
Los Angeles County Mayor Robert Luna issued a stern warning in his remarks to reporters, denouncing any violation of the law amid the wildfire crisis as “completely unacceptable.”
“I’ll make this clear to everyone over there,” Luna said. “We are up to 20 people who chose to go to our areas and deprive these poor people, who have suffered so much, of their property.” He said he expected the number to rise.
Luna said he plans to give new guidance to sheriff’s deputies who encounter people in areas under mandatory evacuation orders: “If you’re in one of these areas and you don’t belong there, you will be subject to arrest. I hope that’s as clear as possible.”
For his part, newly elected Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman criticized the looting as “despicable” and promised to prosecute any violators with “maximum punishment.”
In the small hilltop town of Sierra Madre, a house was burgled on Wednesday after its owners evacuated.
“The entire house was ransacked,” said Sgt. Charles Kamchamannan of the Sierra Madre Police Department.
No arrests have been made.
“It’s unfortunate, but it’s something we’re seeing across the province, with criminals taking advantage of the situation,” Kamchamanan added.
The public condemnations of the looting came as Southern California woke up to a third day of devastation and uncertainty due to the fires. Five people have died and nearly 30,000 acres have burned since Tuesday, and more than 100,000 people have been forced from their homes.
The Palisades Fire is the largest in size, covering 17,234 acres — about 27 square miles. Photos and videos from the scene showed building after building virtually wiped off the map, and homes and businesses replaced by smoldering piles of ash and rubble.
Officials who spoke to reporters on Thursday did not specify where the alleged looting took place. Two people were arrested for alleged looting Wednesday in the Eaton Fire-Perron area, which includes much of the Altadena area.
Rich Shapiro Contribute.