SACRAMENTO, CA - “Assembly Bill 468 (Gabriel) aims to protect Californians, and I am proud to coauthor this important legislation. This bill, authored and supported by many of my colleagues, takes critical steps to address crimes such as looting during emergencies and impersonating emergency personnel during wildfires and other disasters,” said Assemblymember Rodriguez (D-Ontario).
“While most Californians come together in times of crisis to support one another, there are always a few who seek to exploit these disasters for criminal gain. The legislation we are supporting in AB 468 will impose harsher penalties to hold accountable those who take advantage of our state's most vulnerable moments.”
“Individuals who put our firefighters at risk and prey on communities when they are at their most vulnerable must be held accountable. Looters – particularly those who impersonate emergency personnel – create chaos and confusion, endanger residents and first responders, undermine public trust in evacuation orders, divert critical emergency resources, and victimize communities that already have suffered unimaginable harm. This legislation will provide law enforcement with better tools to crack down on looting and impersonation and encourage criminals to think twice before engaging in such egregious conduct,” said Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel.
###
