WASHINGTON ( WNAM MONITORING): Law enforcement officials in Los Angeles announced Thursday that officers will be enforcing restrictions in evacuated areas in a bid to prevent further looting after 20 people were taken into custody since fires broke out earlier this week.
“We’ve all seen individuals who are targeting vulnerable communities by burglarizing and looting homes. This is simply unacceptable,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger told reporters.
“I promise you, you will be held accountable. Shame on those who are preying on our residents during this time of crisis. The emergency order will be strictly enforced by the sheriff’s department who are proactively patrolling to protect these communities from looting and any criminal activity,” she added.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said officers would now actively enforce criminal penalties for anyone who is in an evacuated area without authorization.
“Our first choice isn’t to do enforcement. It’s not to make arrests. It’s to help people. But if people choose to commit crimes, they’re going to be held accountable,” Luna said.
“I talked about the 20 arrests that have been made so far. Unfortunately, I do expect that to go up. We’re not going to tolerate that kind of activity. We have substantially increased our deployment of deputies at the fixed traffic posts that are trying to limit and clear out any unauthorized vehicles or people in these areas,” he added.
Los Angeles is in the midst of a historic firestorm that has ravaged communities across the area.
The largest inferno, the Palisades Fire, has burned 17,234 acres in and around the upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood near the coast. Further inland, the Eaton Fire has burned 10,600 acres in the foothills in and around the city of Altadena, which lies just northeast of downtown Los Angeles.
Both of those fires are 0% contained amid strong winds that have fueled the infernos and sent burning hot embers shooting through the air.
Three other smaller fires — the Hurst, Lidia and Sunset fires — are also burning in the Los Angeles area.
Firefighters have been able to bring the Lidia Fire under 60% control while evacuation orders in the Hollywood Hills were lifted Thursday morning as efforts to gain control of the Sunset Fire gained momentum.
