In response to the wildfires raging through the region that have forced many to flee their homes, Los Angeles County officials are taking action to deter property crimes in evacuated areas. Board of Supervisors Chair Supervisor Kathryn Barger and Sheriff Robert G. Luna have decided to call in the California National Guard and to set curfew hours to help keep potential looters at bay, according to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
Chair Barger emphasized the dire situation for those affected, stating, "Residents who’ve evacuated have faced unimaginable devastation, displacement, and loss.” Chair Kathryn Barger added, “We must stand up against opportunistic people who want to prey on these victims. Los Angeles County will not stand by and allow an already traumatic experience to be further compounded,” the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors noted. The National Guard troops are expected to quickly deploy, as they are slated to arrive as early as Thursday evening to support local law enforcement with traffic control and protecting critical infrastructure.
The Sheriff's Department had already arrested 20 individuals on charges of looting by Thursday afternoon. Sheriff Luna expressed that the local law enforcement has been tirelessly working to safeguard the property of residents and believes the 400 National Guard members will extend the efforts already in place. "This effort will allow law enforcement to free up our resources and move personnel to other critical areas throughout the County, becoming a force multiplier," Luna explained. "This will help send a stronger message to keep people out of the impacted areas so we don’t continuously victimize those who’ve lost their homes," as per the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
The curfews, in place from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., are to be strictly enforced across areas under mandatory evacuation orders. The goal is to prevent unauthorized access to these vulnerable zones during the hours most susceptible to criminal activity. The Sheriff's Department is tasked with coordinating the National Guard deployment in tandem with resource allocation efforts throughout the County.
