California bill would make wildfire looting a felony with prison time

Lawmakers introduce bill to increase looting penalties – Los Angeles Wave Newspaper Group

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, right, is joined by Sheriff Robert Luna and several state legislators Feb. 10 announcing legislation to make looting in fire zones a more serious offense. The legislation, if passed in Sacramento would make looting a felony instead of a misdemeanor. Courtesy photo Wave Wire Services LOS ANGELES — State lawmakers and Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman have announced proposed le…

Legislators announce bill to crack down on fire zone looting

State lawmakers and Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced proposed legislation today aimed at toughening penalties for looters and others who would take advantage of property owners in fire zones. 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.“We sent a message from the very beginning to the would-be looters, the…

California bill would make wildfire looting a felony with prison time

California legislators came together on Monday to announce bipartisan legislation to strengthen penalties for looting and impersonating emergency personnel during wildfires and other natural disasters. The push for harsher penalties comes as officials have promised to protect victims of the recent Eaton and Palisades fires from all manner of criminal activities. While the rhetoric has […] The post California bill would make wildfire looting a fe…

CA Lawmakers Look To Toughen Looting Penalties After Wildfires

California lawmakers are looking to toughen penalties on looting and other opportunistic crimes during disasters after over two dozen individuals were arrested in evacuation zones after the recent deadly wildfires in Los Angeles County, the Los Angeles Times reports. Three lawmakers have proposed a tough-on-crime approach classifying burglaries in emergency areas as felony offenses, which could lead to prison sentences. One of those bills also w…