Opportunist ghouls looting stricken Palisades residents as they try to rebuild

In recent weeks, thieves have targeted Palisades residents, making off with essential building materials and copper wire, as revealed in an LAPD email sent to the community last week.

The Palisades senior lead officer has alerted residents to an increase in crimes at construction sites, advising them to adopt preventive measures, according to an email obtained by The California Post.

Officer Brian Espin reported that at least eight incidents have occurred this month, involving the theft of construction tools, materials, and copper wiring from vacant or in-progress sites.

Many residents in the Palisades have faced theft during the rebuilding of their homes following last year’s fires.

Espin highlighted that criminals are exploiting the dark conditions at night in the Palisades due to inadequate lighting.

“As you all know, the alphabet streets and most of the Palisades are sitting in the dark (literally),” he wrote. “There is minimal to no lights in the evenings giving these criminals the cover of darkness to roam around unseen.”

Espin mentioned that the police are “deploying as much resources as we have available to the area to try and catch these criminals and deter them from committing more crime,” but he also requested residents’ assistance.

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“We are asking for your help by trying to harden the target,” he added, urging residents to install solar lights and cameras and advising construction crews to conceal tools and materials.

However, some residents believe the police could do more.

Scott, a Palisades resident, recounted a theft in April where he believes a flatbed truck was used to steal dozens of plywood sheets shortly after a delivery to his vacant lot.

“They go in and take the plywood and the next morning the crew shows up and it’s gone,” he said. “It’s very typical.”

Scott stated that the thieves must have used special equipment to cut the chain on his fence and take the materials.

He has resorted to hiring private security, as he feels the LAPD has not fulfilled its duties. Despite filing a police report, he claims no action has been taken since.

He expressed frustration at being “forced to pay for what should be provided with my tax dollars.”

Scott believes that Officer Espin’s suggestion for residents to install security cameras at construction sites is excessive.

“It is not normal. In a normal society, you don’t have to have security cameras on your locked fence. It’s a government failure,” he said.

Scott is backing Spencer Pratt in the mayoral race, believing he will address LA’s issues with practical solutions.

Another resident, 65-year-old Nina Madok, who has also experienced theft, said she isn’t surprised by the increase in crime. She has encouraged fellow residents to track crime data in a spreadsheet.

“Unfortunately, it’s to be expected in a city where our law enforcement is not empowered to deter crime,” she remarked. “I don’t think our law enforcement feels like they can do anything about it, even though we have laws like Prop 36 that have been passed.”

Reza Akef, a local builder, suggested that some crimes might stem from contractors underpaying their workers.

He suspects some workers may be taking stolen materials as a form of extra compensation.

“My boss didn’t give me a bonus,” Akef imagines the thieves are thinking. “Let me get my own bonus.”