New laws targeting wildfire crimes proposed by LA DA

LOS ANGELES - New legislation aimed at cracking down on wildfire crimes such as looting and impersonating first responders during disasters and the recovery process was announced Monday by LA District Attorney Nathan Hochman and LA County Sheriff Robert Luna.

The bill, AB 469, has bipartisan support in Sacramento and would make it a felony that could send unscrupulous scammers to longer prison terms, backers said.

It would make looting a felony instead of a misdemeanor and increase possible prison sentences to four years instead of one, comes as law enforcement agencies report elaborate attempts to take advantage of victims in the Palisade and Eaton fire disaster zones, including impersonating first responders and the use of fake fire department vehicles.

The legislation was motivated by the devastating January wildfires with more than two dozen arrests of people accused of looting in fire zones, with some allegedly impersonating firefighters to avoid law enforcement.

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"For those who commit crimes from looting to arson to impersonation of firefighters to price gouging to financials scams, justice will be swift and significant," Hochman said when announcing charges last month. "You will be arrested, prosecuted, and punished to the full extent of the law. Targeting victims of these fires at their lowest moment is despicable and shameful, and this office will do everything in its power to support the victims and bring their victimizers to justice."

According to Hochman, the proposed legislation would:

• allow prosecutors to seek stronger penalties for looting;
• allow prosecutors to seek stronger penalties for impersonating emergency personnel, including peace officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, US Armed Forces, California National Guard, utility workers, and government officials;
• close existing loopholes to better protect damaged structures as well as vehicles in mandatory evacuation zones;
• ensure protections continue beyond the active disaster and through the recovery and rebuilding process; and
• ensure those who are suspected of looting or impersonating emergency personnel are taken into custody, not just cited and released.

As a result of the crimes, an overnight curfew order was enacted, barring anyone without authorization from entering mandatory evacuation zones in the perimeters of the Palisades and Eaton fires. The curfew remains in effect nightly from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

"These curfews are in place to protect residents and ensure public safety. Anyone who violates them will face serious consequences," Hochman said. "Our office is fully committed to getting these criminals off the streets and putting them on alert: We will not tolerate this kind of lawlessness."

Hundreds of law enforcement personnel patrolled fire areas to mitigate crime. Additionally, members of the California National Guard were also deployed to crack down on crimes committed in fire zones.