The National Guard is being called upon by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to assist in managing the areas devastated by the Eaton and Palisades fires, as well as to develop a required curfew.
“We have had 400 National Guard members throughout the state ready to support us … this effort will allow law enforcement to free up our resources and move personnel to other critical areas throughout the county…,” sheriff Robert Luna stated.
Twenty persons have been taken into custody so far in relation to looting and stealing during the fires in Southern California. According to Luna, the arrests took place in the fire zones between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning.
According to Luna, National Guard members will help with these responsibilities across the Los Angeles region, while more than 400 sheriff’s officers have been sent in to patrol, oversee road closures, and provide security in the evacuation locations.
For the Palisades and Eaton fire zones, the sheriff’s office is drafting a curfew order. Luna stated that they are pursuing a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew through the court system. “Our goal is to attempt to implement a curfew in the specific impacted areas, around the two fire areas, both for Palisades and Eaton…the goal is to try to implement it tonight (Thursday),” he stated.
Luna added that he is investigating measures to punish those in places where evacuation is ordered even more. “I’m going to give our department members instructions because, as you are aware, if you stay in an area where there is a lawful evacuation order, you are guilty of a misdemeanor. Certain offenses could escalate to felonies, Luna stated.
Before the curfew may be put into effect, the community must be notified, as required by law.
Additionally, a curfew that would apply to all areas within mandatory evacuation zones from sundown to daybreak is being considered by the city of Santa Monica.
Nathan Hochman, the district attorney for Los Angeles County, stated that his office will seek legal retribution against anybody detained for stealing or looting.
“If you want to go ahead and loot, if you want to commit burglary, if you want to engage in grand theft, if you want to engage in these internet scams where you’re going to take advantage of people who are going to be seeking insurance and government benefits you will be arrested, you will be prosecuted and you will be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” Hochman stated.