By Redaccion
redaccion@latinocc.com
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko and Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman joined Assemblymembers Jesse Gabriel and Jacqui Irwin, along with other California lawmakers, on Monday to introduce Assembly Bill (AB) 469, a bipartisan initiative aimed at providing law enforcement with stronger tools to combat looting and the impersonation of emergency personnel during wildfires and natural disasters.
“In times of crisis, when families are at their most vulnerable, looters prey on devastation and despair,” Nasarenko stated. “This legislation strengthens protections for disaster victims by ensuring harsher penalties for those who exploit emergencies for personal gain. By increasing accountability and closing legal loopholes, we are sending a clear message—those who take advantage of tragedy will face serious consequences.”
The bill responds to a rise in criminal activity in mandatory evacuation areas and communities affected by recent wildfires, such as the Palisades and Eaton fires. AB 469 seeks to increase penalties for those who take advantage of emergencies, close existing legal loopholes that hinder prosecution, and enhance protections for communities during the recovery and rebuilding process.
“Those who endanger our firefighters and prey on communities at their most vulnerable must be held accountable,” Gabriel emphasized. “Looters—especially those impersonating emergency personnel—create chaos, endanger residents and first responders, undermine public trust in evacuation orders, divert critical emergency resources, and victimize communities that have already suffered unimaginable harm. This legislation will provide law enforcement with better tools to crack down on these crimes and deter criminals from engaging in such egregious conduct.”
The bill has been developed in collaboration with firefighters and law enforcement professionals and is supported by the California Professional Firefighters, the California District Attorneys Association, the California Police Chiefs Association, as well as District Attorneys Nasarenko and Hochman, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
Key Provisions of AB 469
If approved, the bill would:
• Impose stronger penalties for looting in disaster zones.
• Increase punishments for impersonating emergency personnel, including police officers, firefighters, paramedics, military members, utility workers, and government officials.
• Close legal loopholes to protect both damaged structures and vehicles in mandatory evacuation zones.
• Ensure continued protections beyond the active disaster period and throughout the recovery and rebuilding process.
• Ensure that suspects of looting or impersonation are taken into custody rather than being cited and released.
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for laws that enhance public safety, support first responders, and protect communities from those who seek to profit from disaster-related hardships.
