California officials announced the residents of certain areas on Tuesday Palisades Fire Evacuation zones are allowed to return home as the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department has increased security measures to address looting incidents.
Zones C-111A, C-112B and U-030B, near Malibu, reopened to residents on Tuesday afternoon, with the requirement that they pass a Malibu checkpointThis was reported by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The operation comes after the department announced it will expand operations in the Altadena Eaton Fire burned area to support recovery and ensure community safety.
Aftermath of fire in Pacific Palisades and along Pacific Coast Highway. Officials said all fires in Los Angeles killed at least 10 people and 5,300 buildings were destroyed in the Palisades fire. January 10, 2025, Los Angeles, California. (David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images)
Officials said they are intensifying efforts and “strategically” shifting operations from strictly enforced containment measures to community support.
The department said it is prioritizing the safety and recovery of residents as they begin to return to their homes and neighborhoods, and announced the creation of a specialized “Suppression of looters Team.”
“This special unit consists of personnel drawn from multiple LASD divisions, each bringing specialized expertise to combat looting and other criminal activity that may arise during times of community vulnerability,” a department statement said.
The team will operate with additional deputy personnel assigned to expand patrol operations, officials noted.
Workers pull a burned car from the wreckage of a home destroyed by the Palisades Fire, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Malibu, California. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
The agency’s AERO bureau will conduct aerial patrols and provide enhanced surveillance and rapid response capabilities to ensure comprehensive coverage of the affected areas, the statement said.
“Together, these efforts ensure continuous patrolling 24 hours a day to be consistent and visible law enforcement presence, especially in neighborhoods that continue to experience power outages and increased safety risks,” officials said.
Los Angeles County’s curfew remains in effect, but is limited to areas under active evacuation orders, according to the agency. Those under an evacuation warning are no longer subject to the restrictions.
Tim Murphy of the San Francisco Fire Department extinguishes hot spots in a burned building in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Monday, January 13, 2025. (AP Photo/John Locher)
LOS ANGELES WILDFIRES: ARMED HOMEOWNERS PATROL LOOTERS WITHIN EVACUATION ZONE
“As residents return to their properties, LASD wants to assist them during this challenging period,” officials said. “The department’s efforts are aimed at facilitating a smooth transition to normal by ensuring safety, preventing criminal activity and reassuring the community.
“The LASD extends its gratitude to the residents of Altadena for their patience, resilience and cooperation during these difficult times. The department remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring the safety, security and well-being of all communities in Los Angeles County. recovery efforts continue.”
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The staging for residents returning home will take place at the Malibu Pier, located at 23000 Pacific Coast Highway.
