Increased Burglaries in Post-Fire Altadena Cause Alarm Among Residents: 'Additional Trauma Layered Upon Trauma'
Raving Increase in Residential Burglaries Plagues Altadena
After the Eaton fire, Altadena has seen a jaw-dropping spike in residential burglaries, leaving locals feeling wary and short-changed. While Pacific Palisades seems to have dodged the burglary bullet, Altadena is getting pummeled.
Fast-forward to the present, the Morris family has dealt with not one, but three break-ins since their home managed to escape the Eaton fire’s destruction. "When we discovered our home had survived, we never imagined we'd be dealing with this three months later," said Jenna Morris, with a heavy sigh.
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department launched a Looter Suppression Team to reinforce the Altadena neighborhood, but the thefts continue. Thieves have yanked engraved family silverware dating back to the 1800s, leaving the Morris family with costly repairs, alongside the initial fire damage, and an ever-present unease.
Around the first days of the firestorm, burglaries surged in both the evacuation zones of Palisades and Eaton. However, crime seemed to plateau in Pacific Palisades, data reveals. In Altadena, it's another story altogether.
From January 1st to April 15th, Altadena has reported an alarming 450% increase in residential burglaries, compared to the same period in 2024, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department records. Over 140 burglaries have been reported to the Altadena sheriff’s station this year.
In Pacific Palisades, year-over-year burglary rates remain relatively stable. There were 20 incidents reported between January 1st and March 31st, 2024, and 23 incidents reported during the same period this year, as announced by the Los Angeles Police Department.
The contrast in security measures for the two areas leaves residents scratching their heads, feeling overlooked, and questioning why Altadena's security hasn't mirrored Pacific Palisades.
"Why can't we get the same type of security that Palisades is getting?" queried Altadena resident Natalie LaFourche. "It's hard for me to accept that they don't care about us the same way they care about Palisades."
But Pete Brown, communications director for Councilmember Traci Park, argues that the high level of neighborhood security in Palisades is the reason for the low burglary rates. The California National Guard man the entry and exit checkpoints around the clock, supported by the California Highway Patrol, and the LAPD maintains a constant presence. In Altadena, checkpoints were lifted at the end of January.
Since the incidence of burglaries in Altadena, the Sheriff's Department has responded by doubling the number of deputies dedicated to patrolling the fire zone. Specialized anti-theft teams and undercover operations have been brought in to help combat the problem. Regular checks are also performed on approximately 600 uninhabited properties that have enrolled in the free service, according to Lt. Ethan Marquez of the Altadena sheriff's station.
Despite these measures, thieves remain relentless.
LaFourche, a second-generation Altadena resident, lost thousands of dollars' worth of goods and irreplaceable memorabilia during the initial burglary. "I just kind of broke down. My knees buckled, and it hurt me, because we are already going through it," she lamented.
Altadena resident Leslie Wright shared a similar experience, losing her husband's Emmy Award and other valuables to burglars who couldn't resist the opportunity. Wright eventually managed to get most of her items back. She continues to fret about the potential for her home to be broken into again, an anxious feeling that seems to never subside.
Altadena residents worry about the numerous entry points into their neighborhood, which is harder to control than Pacific Palisades, which has fewer access routes. Both women acknowledged this challenge but questioned the swift removal of checkpoints in Altadena during the evacuation period.
"Why aren't we at that level where you have to have a checkpoint to come in and out?" Wright pondered.
The Palisades checkpoints were initially slated to be lifted on February 2, but Mayor Karen Bass reversed course, facing fierce pushback from residents and Park concerning security concerns.
Inside Info:- The surge in burglaries was initially due to the diversion of law enforcement resources during the peak of the Eaton fire, as evacuation efforts took precedence[2].- Opportunistic thefts capitalized on the vacant homes in the evacuated areas and stole items like copper wiring and precious metals[3][5].- Homes that survived the fire became fresh targets for burglars, resulting in significant financial losses and heightened anxiety among residents[1].- California lawmakers are considering stricter penalties for looting and other opportunistic crimes in disaster areas after multiple arrests in the Los Angeles County evacuation zones[3].- AHeightened private security presence, police operations, and community engagement are the primary methods used to address the burglary situation in Altadena[4].
- The government has prioritized the security of Pacific Palisades, installing checkpoints and maintenance by the California National Guard, CHP, and LAPD, resulting in relatively stable burglary rates.
- In contrast, Altadena, plagued by a 450% increase in residential burglaries since the Eaton fire, seems to have received fewer resources, leaving residents feeling overlooked and doubting the government's commitment to their safety.
- As a result of these increased burglaries, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department has increased its presence in Altadena, deploying extra deputies, anti-theft teams, undercover operations, and regular checks on uninhabited properties enrolled in a free service.
- These measures have not deterred burglars, who seem to be relentless in their thefts, leaving residents like Natalie LaFourche and Leslie Wright financially and emotionally drained.
- LaFourche and Wright, along with other Altadena residents, believe that their neighborhood should have the same level of security as Pacific Palisades, given the surge in burglaries post-Eaton fire.
- The contrasting security measures in the two areas are highlighted as a cause for concern, with critics questioning why Altadena doesn't mirror Pacific Palisades' level of security.
- In an attempt to address the issue, California lawmakers are considering stricter penalties for looting and other opportunistic crimes in disaster areas, following multiple arrests in the Los Angeles County evacuation zones.
- The general news and crime-and-justice sectors are following this story closely as they try to understand the factors contributing to the rise in burglaries in Altadena and potential solutions to address the problem.
