More trauma for fire victims: Burglaries up ‘several hundred percent' in Eaton Fire area
Residents who have already suffered after losing their homes in the Eaton Fire are now having to worry about something else: burglaries.
Lt. Ethan Marquez of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Altadena station confirmed to KTLA that there have been 142 burglaries reported in the Eaton Fire burn area since the start of the year.
That marks an increase of 'several hundred percent,' he said.
The increase in crime is causing great concern for area residents, who say that the community normally does not have many burglaries. Compounding the issue is the fact that over 1,600 homes were lost in the blaze, leaving 'not many eyes' to watch out for nefarious activity in the area.
'A majority of the population has not returned to the area, so there are not as many eyes per se,' Lt. Marquez said. 'That has led to the availability of opportunities to try and take advantage.'
'Emergency lights? Pull to the right': LASD advises public in new safe driving campaign
KTLA 5's Kimberly Cheng spoke with one property owner in Altadena on Monday whose home is one of the few still standing, although most of his neighbors' homes are not.
Declining to go on camera, he said that his home has been hit three times since the Eaton Fire broke out on Jan. 7.
The first incident occurred the night the fire broke out after his family evacuated, he said. It was targeted two more times in the last three weeks; the burglars took tools and photography equipment from his garage.
At least two other nearby residences on the same street were also hit, the man added.
The anonymous resident told KTLA that he believes more patrols of the neighborhood would help, as would bringing the National Guard, who are already deployed in the Palisades Fire burn scar areas.
Those patrols would mainly need to be conducted at night, as the area is generally busy with contractors and debris removal crews during the daytime, he noted.
Here's how California's license plates will look different next year
Speaking on the presence of law enforcement in the area, Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose district includes Altadena, said it is 'not [her] call' as to whether or not more officers can be deployed.
'What I've been told is that the National Guard is in this area, [but] it's really not my call,' she told KTLA on Monday. 'I've talked to the people that coordinate on this…it's not appropriate, and I think that there are those who would argue that after the National Guard [being deployed] was overkill.'
'At the end of the day, we have [the sheriff's department] up here, and I'd rather give additional resources to [them] to do more patrols,' Barger added.
Affected residents can sign up for home check programs so that patrol units can check on their homes periodically. To do so, send an email to altadenahomecheck@lasd.org with your name, address, and a call back number.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Black America Web
2 hours ago
- Black America Web
The Top Developments In Altadena Following Eaton Wildfires
Source: Mario Tama / Getty Four months ago, the community of Altadena and its residents were forever changed when the devastating wildfires ripped through the area and caused a wealth of damage and despair. In the months since, there have been multiple developments that have occurred as the area attempts to restore itself to former glory, and residents commence the slow process of rebuilding their lives, homes and businesses that the Eaton wildfires destroyed. To provide an update on where things stand currently in Altadena, here is a list of some of the most important developments that have occurred in the community. Significant Increase In Crime Back in April, there were reports from local law enforcement that Altadena saw a significant increase in crime, largely due to theft and robberies in the area. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, crime has surged by 250% due to looting, robberies and other forms of theft. The following month, in an effort to prioritize the safety of Altadena residents, authorities employed the use of AI cameras to capture and process evidentiary information — such as license plates — to send real-time alerts to authorities. Clean Up, Debris Removal Stalled For Businesses One of the biggest and lingering issues facing Altadena is the continued delay of cleanup and debris removal for local businesses, which have been placed further down on the list of priorities in comparison to residential areas. Unlike their residential neighbors, Altadena businesses were tasked with the responsibility of cleaning up their properties, as no cleanup assistance or debris removal has been provided to any commercial properties. 'Commercial property debris removal is the responsibility of the property owner. Currently, USACE has no task from FEMA to execute commercial property removal,' the Army Corps confirmed via statement to the Los Angeles Times . Small Loans Offered To Local Businesses Prayers were answered and a form of relief was granted in early May when the Los Angeles County Development Authority, along with Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger, officially launched a disaster relief small business loan program for eligible Altadena establishments of up to $75,000. The program was established to help Altadena businesses begin to 'recover, rebuild and retain jobs.' Barger shared the mission behind the loan program, saying, 'The Eaton Fire devastated many in our Altadena community, and this program ensures we're providing real support where it's needed most.' 'Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, and helping them get back on their feet is essential to restoring stability, jobs, and community spirit in the wake of disaster,' she added. First Home Rebuild Underway Looking at the initial aftermath of how the Eaton wildfires destroyed the Altadena community, many residents had no idea just how long it would take to get their homes rebuilt and restored, as they attempted to return to normalcy. However, the good news that the rebuilding process is making progress came in the form of resident Margot Stuebert, who was one of many who lost her home. Local work crews officially broke ground on Stuebert's rebuild in late April. 'It's the first day of my new life,' she said of the rebuilding of her home. 'After all the grief and loss, I now start to see myself here.' Former Black California Mayors Provide $1 Million In Relief Former California mayors, Aja Brown, who previously represented the city of Compton, and Michael Tubbs, former rep of Stockton, launched the wildfire relief initiative, the Dena Care Collective, that was directly distributed to Black Altadena families impacted by the Eaton wildfires. To date, $100,000 has been distributed to over 50 households in the community, and the Dena Care Collective plans to distribute a total of $1 million in recovery funding for impacted Black residents. The initiative is part of a long-term strategy aimed at keeping Black Altadena families in place. SEE ALSO: Former Black California Mayors Supply $1M In Wildfire Relief To Black Altadena Residents Colby Colb Talks Altadena Wildfire Recovery And New Podcast Telling The Community's Story SEE ALSO The Top Developments In Altadena Following Eaton Wildfires was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
WA Gov. Ferguson activates National Guard in search for Travis Decker
The Brief Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has activated the National Guard to aid in the manhunt for Travis Decker. Decker is suspected of killing his three daughters and has been on the run for nearly a week. Residents in remote Chelan County and surrounding areas are advised to lock doors and report sightings to 911 immediately. CHELAN COUNTY, Wash. - Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has activated the National Guard in the manhunt for Travis Decker, the suspect in the deaths of his three young daughters. Travis Decker has been on the run for about a week after allegedly kidnapping his daughters in Wenatchee and killing them, later dumping their bodies at a Leavenworth campground. The Governor's Response As the search for Decker drags on, Gov. Bob Ferguson has ordered National Guard resources to assist authorities and other agencies in Chelan County. Here is the full statement from Ferguson: "Tonight, I am tapping emergency funds and ordering Washington National Guard resources to support the search for Travis Decker, who is suspected of killing his three daughters. At the request of the Chelan County Sheriff's Office, we will be providing helicopter transportation for law enforcement as they search in remote areas. "As a parent, my heart goes out to Paityn, Evelyn and Olivia's mom, Whitney, and all those who love them. The brutal murder of these young children has shocked our state. I'm committed to supporting law enforcement as they seek justice for Paityn, Evelyn and Olivia. "I want to remind Washingtonians to be aware of safety directives from law enforcement as the search continues. If you live in the area, keep your doors and windows locked. Avoid closed areas, which currently include the Enchantments and the Icicle River area. If you see Travis Decker, do not approach – call 911. Anyone with information should contact Chelan County Sheriff's Office." Law enforcement has already closed off several roads, trails and campgrounds in the manhunt, and is ordering some residents in remote areas to lock their doors. Anyone who has seen Decker or knows of his whereabouts is urged to call 911 immediately. The Source Information in this story came from the office of Washington Governor Bob Ferguson and the Chelan County Sheriff's Office. Travis Decker manhunt: 'Remote' areas of 5 WA counties told to lock doors Former Army squadmate shares insight into Travis Decker's military past Miles Hudson found guilty on 2 counts of reckless driving in Seattle Key figures from Bryan Kohberger's youth summoned to Idaho for student murders trial Rochester dog training facility owner accused of killing employee during video shoot To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Yahoo
Dozens possibly detained by federal officials amid immigration raids in Los Angeles
(KTLA) — Federal immigration agents raided several locations in the downtown Los Angeles area on Friday, apparently detaining dozens of people while encountering protesters. At a Home Depot in the Westlake District near downtown Los Angeles, masked officers wearing vests emblazoned with HSI — an acronym for Homeland Security Investigations — were seen taking people into custody. Footage shared to the Citizen app shows what appears to be advocates for migrants trying to confront law enforcement, but their efforts to free those detained were unsuccessful. When Sky5 arrived on the scene just after 10 a.m., HSI agents had already left, but dozens of people remained, including the advocates who had attempted to stop the detentions. Federal agents have targeted other Home Depot stores with similar actions in recent weeks and months. Also on Friday, agents raided two Ambiance Apparel locations in downtown Los Angeles. KTLA's Rich Prickett reported from Sky5 that a couple of dozen people were detained. Agents also engaged in crowd control as a large crowd of demonstrators gathered at one Ambiance location, 930 Towne Ave. in downtown L.A.'s Fashion District. At least one protester fell to the ground as he attempted to stop a law enforcement SUV from leaving the location. In a statement, a spokesperson for the law enforcement agency Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which is in the Department of Homeland Security, declined to 'confirm or discuss the existence or status of operations.' 'The agency publicly announces the results of operations when appropriate. As part of its routine operations, ICE arrests aliens who commit crimes and other individuals who have violated our nation's immigration laws,' the statement said. 'All aliens in violation of U.S. immigration law may be subject to arrest, detention and, if found removable by final order, removal from the United States, regardless of nationality.' In a statement, the FBI confirmed to KTLA that it is participating in the HSI raids, not just in Los Angeles but nationwide, 'as directed by the Attorney General.' 'As we have been asked to do, we are sending Agents to participate in these immigration enforcement efforts,' the statement said. 'That includes assisting in cities where major operations are already underway and where we have special agents embedded on operational teams with DHS. Our help may vary depending on what DHS needs, such as SWAT operators, who can support high risk arrest operations, and other resources such as intelligence analysts and technical support working from command posts.' In a statement, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell noted that the department is not involved in 'civil immigration enforcement.' 'We will not assist or participate in any sort of mass deportations, nor will the LAPD try to determine an individual's immigration status … I want everyone, including our immigrant community, to feel safe calling the police in their time of need and know that the LAPD will be there for you without regard to one's immigration status,' he said. Some critics of the LAPD, however, stipulated that police indeed helped with the raids. Though officers may not have been personally handcuffing and detaining people, they set up a perimeter to allow the operation at the Ambiance factory at 2415 E. 15th St. to continue, said left-leaning social media account People's City Council – Los Angeles. 'ANOTHER clear example of the LAPD & the City of Los Angeles collaborating with ICE & proving that the 'Sanctuary City' was always bulls—!' they wrote. '[Mayor Karen Bass'] silence is support of this.' Bass declined to comment on the raids when asked by KTLA. Nidia Becerra and Marc Sternfield contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
