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Sheriff, LAPD report arrests, curfew enforcement and missing-persons numbers as evacuations continue
Summary
Law enforcement officials said curfews remain in effect, gave counts of arrests and missing-person reports, and described ongoing search-and-rescue activity in fire-affected areas.
Los Angeles County and City law enforcement officials provided separate updates on curfew enforcement, arrests and missing-persons searches during a joint press briefing.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said the department had deployed approximately 1,300 personnel this morning and that deputies had not had many days off while working 12-hour shifts. Luna said about 88,000 residents remained under evacuation orders and about 84,800 were under evacuation warnings, and he urged those warned to consider leaving early.
On enforcement, Luna said the sheriff's department had recorded 39 arrests in county areas it covers — "33 in the Eaton fire area and 6 in the Palisades area." He provided a breakdown for Eaton-area arrests: "9 curfew arrests and 2 for drone incidences... and 11 were for burglary." For Palisades he said there were six arrests — three for curfew violations and three for burglary. Luna reminded the public, "Please do not fly drones in these impacted areas." He also said search-and-rescue teams have searched approximately 3,654 properties in Altadena and about 1,800 properties in Eaton; he said the sheriff's-area death toll stood at 21 (16 in Eaton, five in the Palisades) and that the department was working 24 missing-person cases (18 in Eaton, six in Malibu), all adults.
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonald gave separate citywide figures. He said LAPD was deploying about 750 officers to impacted areas with additional support from airport and port police and the National Guard. On missing-person reports, he said, "As of this morning, we have 34 people reported missing. 21 of them have been found safe. Of the 13 remaining, 2 have most likely been found deceased but have yet to be positively identified. 11 remain unaccounted for." McDonald said LAPD had made 14 arrests related to the fires, including curfew violations and charges such as impersonating an officer or firefighter, unauthorized entry to closed areas, DUI, vandalism and burglary-related charges. He described several arson arrests and said video evidence and community reports contributed to arrests.
Both law enforcement leaders said the curfew remains in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in impacted evacuation order areas and warned that anyone in those areas without a public-safety or disaster role is subject to arrest.
Why it matters: Enforcement, search-and-rescue and missing-persons counts differ between county and city jurisdictions; officials cautioned residents to follow evacuation and curfew orders for their safety and to avoid hampering response teams.
Ending: Sheriff Luna and Chief McDonald asked the public to report suspicious activity and to share home-security footage and tips via LA Crime Stoppers to assist ongoing investigations and protect evacuated neighborhoods.
