Newsom orders state agencies to help enforce looting, trespassing laws in wildfire areas

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Sunday, Jan. 19, that directs state agencies to help local law enforcement as evacuation orders are lifted and people return to areas affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires.

The executive order directs the California Highway Patrol and Office of Emergency Services to help local police and sheriff’s deputies enforce laws that prohibit trespassing, loitering and other local and state laws in communities that were evacuated because of the wildfires.

Local and state law enforcement officials will be present as evacuation orders are lifted to protect private property and recovery efforts as people who don’t live into the area may flood into affected neighborhoods, the governor’s office said.

Officials announced last week that nine people had been charged with looting and more have been arrested on suspicion of looting in areas evacuated because of the wildfires. Others have been arrested on suspicion of curfew violations, trespassing and impersonating firefighters and the media.