The many California wildfires ignited by dry lightning storms have also ignited a surfeit of looting opportunities as people take advantage of evacuations to break into resident homes and loot them.
This was reported in S.F. Bay Area and other northern California communities where wildfires broke out, evacuations were ordered and followed, and looters came in while owners were away and fire fighting and police authorities were occupied with the disaster.
One security company director stated, “Evacuees are worried that their homes may not be standing when they return. Now, they have to contend with thieves stealing their personal property.”
Neighborhoods and homeowners associations are now hiring security guard companies such as WWPro Security to protect their valuable property in the events of disaster evacuations. These guards stay on duty round the clock until the homeowners return after an “all clear” order is given. As the director points out, “Looting is a crime of opportunity. Security guards’ presence will often deter looters, but if guards see someone trespassing or taking part in other criminal behavior, they will detain the individual until law enforcement arrives.”