LA Fires – New legislation targets wildfire-related looting, arson, illegal drone flights, and disaster related fraud
According to an article just published by a leading California Legal News Paper the Daily Journal, in a move to protect vulnerable communities affected by recent Los Angeles wildfires, law enforcement officials from Los Angeles and Orange counties have announced two major initiatives aimed at combating disaster-related crimes. The announcement comes as the Los Angeles region grapples with devastating wildfires that have claimed 25 lives and destroyed over 12,000 structures. Over 50 looting suspects have been arrested.
The first initiative involves the creation of a multi-agency Joint Regional Fire Crimes Task Force, bringing together federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada announced that the task force will focus on four key areas: looting and property crimes, arson investigations, unauthorized drone operations in restricted airspace, and disaster-related fraud schemes.
In the Pacific Palisades area, which has been particularly hard hit by looting incidents, law enforcement has already arrested more than 50 individuals suspected of burglarizing evacuated homes. Among the recovered items is an Emmy statuette valued at over $200,000, highlighting the scope of these criminal activities.
The second initiative involves proposed legislation to strengthen penalties for disaster-related property crimes. Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer and Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman have submitted draft legislation to amend California Penal Code 463. The proposed changes would:
– Elevate looting during declared emergencies from a wobbler offense to a state prison felony
– Establish determinate sentences of two to four years
– Create a new felony category for trespassing with intent to commit larceny during emergencies
– Mandate judicial review for pretrial release
– Add a sentencing enhancement of one to three years for qualifying felonies
– Designate looting as a serious felony under California’s Three Strikes Law
– Eliminate diversion program eligibility
“There is a special place in jail for those who exploit the vulnerable in the wake of deadly fires,” stated Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, emphasizing the severity of taking advantage of evacuated residents during their time of crisis.
To address potential arson cases, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ National Response Team has been deployed to investigate the fires’ origins. Federal arson statutes carry mandatory minimum sentences of five years, with potential enhancement to life imprisonment in cases resulting in fatalities.
These coordinated efforts represent a comprehensive approach to protecting communities already devastated by natural disasters from becoming victims of opportunistic crimes. If enacted through the special legislative session, the new provisions would take immediate effect as urgency legislation.
For residents affected by the wildfires, these initiatives signal a good commitment from law enforcement to protect evacuated properties and ensure that those who attempt to exploit disaster situations will face serious consequences.