Local leaders announce new bipartisan legislation against looting, impersonating officials during disasters
Following the arrests of several people impersonating officials and looting during the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, local leaders announced new bipartisan legislation aimed at strengthening state law during disasters.
At a news conference Monday morning, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel and District Attorney Nathan Hochman, along with other leaders introduced Assembly Bill 469 which would provide law enforcement with tools to crack down on looting and the impersonation of officials during disasters or states of emergency.
"One of the best things to come of this crisis is the fact that people from across the political spectrum put down their political differences to see if they could actually accomplish something," Hochman said.
If passed and signed into law, prosecutors will be able to pursue stricter punishments for individuals. Under the current stature, if someone is found guilty of these charges they could face up to a year in county jail. The new proposed bill would make the crimes a felony, punishable with up to a year in state prison.
"It will close existing loopholes that can hinder prosecution, particularly where looting has involved damaged structures or vehicles in mandatory evacuation zones," Gabriel said.
LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said a goal for the bill is to reinstate confidence in residents that if they evacuate their homes they are protected.
As thousands of residents were forced to leave their homes under mandatory evacuation orders, law enforcement saw a rise in these sorts of crimes in fire zones. To combat these crimes and help residents impacted by the fires, a curfew was issued within areas that were under mandatory evacuation orders. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna also requested assistance from the National Guard to patrol, manage road closures and provide security.
The curfew was in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. until mandatory orders were lifted.
Hochman said over two dozen people were arrested for looting crimes and a handful of individuals were arrested for impersonation during the wildfires. An Oregon couple was charged with impersonating LA County firefighters while trying to enter an evacuation zone in Malibu during the Palisades Fire. Prosecutors allege the couple were wearing fake firefighting gear when they were arrested on Jan. 18.
They now each face misdemeanor charges of fraudulent impersonation of specific fire personnel, unauthorized activities with respect to badges or related matters and false representation, according to prosecutors. They face a maximum possible sentence of 180 days in jail if convicted of all charges.
"It will increase peace of mind for impacted communities by extending protections beyond the active disaster and through the recovery and rebuilding process," Gabriel said.
