- Noah Marty
- Legislative/Communications Assistant
- Noah.Marty@asm.ca.gov
SACRAMENTO, CA — This weekend, the California State Legislature passed a pair of bipartisan bills to provide law enforcement with better tools to crack down on looting and impersonation of emergency personnel during wildfires and other emergencies.
- AB 468, authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), and Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco (D-Downey), strengthens penalties for looting, closes harmful loopholes that hinder prosecution, and provides additional protections to communities as they rebuild following wildfires and other disasters.
- SB 571, authored by Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera), Senator Jesse Arreguín (D-Berkeley), and Senator Suzette Valladares (R-Santa Clarita), reinforces California’s commitment to standing with wildfire survivors not only during the emergency, but throughout the long journey to recovery. This bill will strengthen penalties for individuals who decide to impersonate first responders and other officials.
Background
In the months following the devastating Southern California fires, impacted communities have been victimized further by widespread looting. In Altadena, theft from homes has skyrocketed by nearly 450% compared to the prior year. Residents have shared stories of multiple robberies on the same property, theft of historic and cultural artwork, and even an Emmy award. Directly following the fires, law enforcement arrested dozens of individuals for looting and impersonation-related charges, including two individuals from Oregon charged with impersonating firefighters in the Palisades Fire evacuation zone.
These actions pose significant risks to public safety and undermine evacuation efforts, leading to confusion and potentially deterring residents from following critical public safety guidance. Crimes like these endanger both the public and the first responders dedicated to protecting them.
Together, this comprehensive package will provide stronger deterrence and better protect communities.
What California Legislators are Saying:
Assemblymember Gabriel Says
“Individuals who put our firefighters at risk and prey on communities when they are at their most vulnerable must be held accountable. Looters – particularly those who impersonate emergency personnel – create chaos and confusion, endanger residents and first responders, undermine public trust in evacuation orders, divert critical emergency resources, and victimize communities that already have suffered unimaginable harm. I am proud to join efforts with my Senate and Assembly colleagues to provide law enforcement with better tools to crack down on looting and impersonation, and I urge Governor Newsom to sign these important bills.”
Senator Archuleta Says
“Victims of wild fires and other natural disasters should not be preyed on by those looking to take advantage of them” Senator Archuleta said. “Impersonators only seek to harm and exploit victims who have already lost their homes, cherished belongings, and peace of mind. SB 571 ensures that families are protected, it upholds California’s promise to keep everyone safe.”
Senator Arreguín Says
“I am thankful for my colleagues for advancing SB 571, which will help ensure that victims of states of emergencies are not also victimized by criminal behavior, while protecting first responders and impacted communities from dangerous, unlawful impersonators.”
Senator Valladares Says
“Protecting our most vulnerable isn’t just our duty, it’s a moral imperative,” said Senator Suzette Martinez Valladares (R-Santa Clarita). “I’m thankful that this important legislation has received legislative approval, sending a clear warning to predators who would take advantage of those in despair that justice will be swift and firm. I urge the Governor to sign this into law without delay.”
Assemblymember Pacheco Says
"Communities devastated by wildfires should never have to live in fear of people looking to exploit their trauma,” said Assemblywoman Blanca Pacheco (D-Downey). “This legislation ensures that anyone who preys on vulnerable families and erodes trust in our first responders will face the full consequences of their actions."
Brian K. Rice, President of The California Professional Firefighters Says:
“The devastation caused by the L.A. County Fires is unimaginable. Many people lost everything while others have been displaced from their homes. Some returning to a home still standing were greeted with the realization that looting or theft occurred while they were evacuated. Media report showed that some individuals were impersonating firefighters or other emergency responders for the purposes of these crimes. That cannot be tolerated, and we applaud the efforts of Assemblymember Gabriel and Senator Archuleta, along with their co-authors, to establish firm penalties for these crimes through AB 468 and SB 571.”
Next Steps
AB 468 and SB 571 now head to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk, where they must be signed into law or vetoed by October 12th.