Santa Monica Police CrackDown on Crime in Evacuation Zones, Arrest Over 40 Non-Residents
In Santa Monica, law enforcement has reported a significant uptick in arrests within designated evacuation zones over the past week, detaining more than 40 individuals, none of whom were local residents.
In Santa Monica, law enforcement has reported a significant uptick in arrests within designated evacuation zones over the past week, detaining more than 40 individuals, none of whom were local residents. This surge in arrests comes amid strict emergency measures enacted due to ongoing wildfires and related evacuations between January 7 and January 12.
The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) has been enforcing a curfew from sunset to sunrise, and all those arrested were found in violation of these local emergency orders. Among the charges, ten individuals face accusations of burglary. In a particularly notable incident, one man was apprehended for impersonating a firefighter in Malibu.
Further details from the arrests reveal that two suspects were found with concealed handguns, and six others were in possession of burglary tools. A strategic use of technology was noted when a pair of suspects were caught using the Watch Duty app to monitor and potentially exploit evacuation zones.
The neighborhoods most affected by these arrests include North of Montana (NOMA) and WILMONT, where the SMPD has intensified patrols. Besides burglary, the charges laid against the apprehended include drug possession, various driving violations, and breaches of parole or probation. Several of those arrested also had outstanding warrants.
“Our dedicated team of officers did a phenomenal job saturating the evacuation areas and tamping down criminal activity,” said SMPD officials, highlighting their commitment to maintaining safety in the crisis-stricken areas.
Adding to the law enforcement efforts, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s office reported three more arrests related to unauthorized drone activity, which has been a significant concern during the emergency operations.
These developments follow statements from LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley, who criticized California leadership for failing the department as the head of the international fire union plans a visit to Los Angeles to address the ongoing issues. The wildfires, particularly in areas like Pacific Palisades and Altadena, have stretched local resources and brought to light the challenges faced by emergency services in such scenarios.
