If you thought the home-consuming flames were the only threat during the California wildfire think again. No, I am not talking about smoke inhalation or polluted water sources. Both of which are additional risk factors now because of the fires. Instead, I am talking about an entirely preventable and human-caused issue...looting. That's right, as fires continue to rage the looting is becoming a major issue. So much so that someone just stole an Emmy Award from one of the burning homes.
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Looting Issue Rises As Wildfire Rages On
And here I thought that the 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew had something to do with the fires. Instead, warning and evacuation zones in Los Angeles County have this curfew to help prevent the looting issues that have been occurring.
As if it wasn't bad enough that these people had to worry about their homes being burned to the ground. Now they have to worry about this too. If your house survives the fire, it may not survive the burglars. PEOPLE Magazine shares that so far, "10 people have been charged with crimes committed during the Palisades and Eaton fires."
Two individuals, Matrell Peoples and Damari Bell, were each charged with "one count of first-degree residential burglary and looting during an emergency or evacuation: grand theft." The Los Angeles District Attorney stated that "these felony charges are the result of a multi-agency collaboration."
Just the fact that there are various groups of people who decided to prey on those already suffering is sickening. Peoples and Bell were not alone in their parts in the looting issue. While they succeeded in stealing more than "$200,000 worth of goods" from the home, others were looting as well.
In addition to those two PEOPLE shares details on six other individuals who were a part of the looting issue plaguing California. Those six others are charged with, "stealing property from homes during the Eaton Fire in Altadena." Police even recovered an Emmy Award among the stolen possessions.
Many assume the burglars would be targeting more high-profile homes. That is because they are expected to have more valuable or expensive items in their homes. However, the curfew applies to all and no one should consider themselves safe from this looting issue.
Police Fight Back
The LAPD is not taking this matter lightly. "So far more than 40 people have been arrested for burglary, looting, curfew violations, possession of narcotics, impersonating an officer, unauthorized drone usage, and possession of firearms." In addition to the curfew the police want Los Angeles citizens to know that they are working diligently to tackle the looting problem happening during the California wildfire issues.
The LAPD Assistant Chief, Blake Chow, made the following statement at a press conference.
"I just want to tell the residents of Los Angeles, this team has your back. And as you can see with the investigation, when we get evidence of a crime, we leave no stone unturned and we find people, and we will bring them to justice and hand them over to the district attorney."
