Los Angeles authorities on Wednesday warned against looting as deadly wildfires raged in the area.
“During this emergency, we have all seen individuals targeting vulnerable communities with home burglaries and looting,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Berger. during a press conference in the morning.
“This is completely unacceptable,” she added. “You'll hear from us.” [Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman] soon about his efforts to preserve these [individuals] I will be responsible, and I promise you that I will be responsible. Shame on those who are preying on residents during this time of crisis. ”
Berger then added that as of Thursday, 20 people had been arrested by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Multiple wildfires have broken out in the Los Angeles area over the past few days, causing significant damage to the region. On Thursday, Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Deanne Criswell said on CNN that more than 1,000 structures were destroyed or damaged in both the Pacific Palisades and Eaton fires.
“We know that there are many families who will be in great need in the coming years,” she said.
In addition to the damage caused by the fire, it also sparked a political feud between President-elect Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom (Democratic).
President Trump criticized Newsom on Wednesday over the burning fires in the Los Angeles area, saying the president-elect should have signed a proclamation pumping more water to the Golden State to avoid the situation. said.
“People are literally fleeing,” Newsom told CNN's Anderson Cooper in an interview late Wednesday. “People lost their lives. Children lost their schools, families were completely torn apart, churches were burned down.”
“This guy wanted to politicize it,” he added, talking about Trump. “I have a lot on my mind, and I know what I mean. I don't do it.”
