California Governor Gavin Newsom is urging lawmakers to classify looting in fire evacuation zones as a felony, following calls from Southern California prosecutors for harsher penalties. The push comes as the state battles the devastating wildfires that erupted on January 7, leaving destruction and chaos in their wake.
In Los Angeles County, newly elected District Attorney Nathan Hochman has already charged several individuals with arson felonies in unrelated cases. Law enforcement has arrested at least a dozen individuals for looting and arson since the fires began, according to earlier reports.
Hochman issued a strong warning to anyone considering similar crimes, pledging that offenders will be “prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” Armed homeowners in some fire-impacted neighborhoods have also stepped in to defend homes that remain standing.
Newsom’s call for action follows a joint plea from Hochman and Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer, who on Tuesday urged the governor to increase penalties for looting in disaster zones. The governor has faced mounting criticism from lawmakers and celebrities over his handling of the crisis.
The wildfires have claimed at least 24 lives, with officials warning that the death toll is likely to rise as containment efforts continue.
