As the California wildfires continue to burn, a crime spree has recently reignited a petition from Vallejo residents for more authorities to step in and help.
Newsweek has reached out to the petition starter via Change.org email form and California Governor Gavin Newsom's office via email.
Why It Matters
While California continues to battle multiple destructive wildfires, residents are also grappling with a surge in crime. According to state authorities, since the fires erupted more than 50 people have been arrested and have been charged in connection with looting, burglary, impersonation, arson, or curfew violations.
This comes as the Pacific Palisades fire has been roaring through Los Angeles County, spreading throughout the region spurred by powerful Santa Ana winds. The fire was estimated to cover more than 11,802 acres and has forced at least 30,000 to leave their homes.
Vallejo, which is about 30 miles outside of San Francisco, landed a spot on the FBI's nationwide watchlist for small cities due to its growing crime rate.
What To Know
A Change.org petition initially created a year ago to address crime in Vallejo has garnered support in the past week amid the fires.
"As a resident of Vallejo, I am deeply concerned about the safety of my community. Vallejo is currently experiencing an alarming increase in crime rates," Paula Conley, 55, wrote in the petition addressing the escalating crime.
The petition demands Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom to deploy state and county officers such as the California Highway Patrol (CHP) "to assist Vallejo with its spiraling crime problem."
"Why are you saying no to helping the city of Vallejo? Don't turn your back on us. Please send in the police help & assisting homeless off our streets. Why is it just certain cities that you choose to help? Our tax dollars should mean something. Or we are just the wrong zip code to get your attention," wrote petition supporter Jean on Friday.
This demand comes as Newsom has previously refused to offer additional police support.
"I want the folks in Vallejo to know you're not getting the [California Highway Patrol] to do the work of local law enforcement," Newsom said at a news conference earlier this month. "They think somehow the state is going to come in and provide the support for free."
While Newsom, who's been California's governor since 2019, previously directed the CHP to expand its presence in Vallejo to help address understaffing there, he said he also wants to see the city's police department fill vacant positions by contracting with the Solano County Sheriff's Office for services.
The presence of CHP came after the Vallejo Police Department, former Vallejo Mayor Robert McConnell and members of the Vallejo City Council asked the governor for "law enforcement support" earlier this month.
While the city has a long history of crime, dating back to the 1960s, according to Vallejo Police reports in 2024 crime surged with 23 murders, 12 fatal traffic incidents, 44 rapes, 86 sexual assaults, 503 aggravated assaults, 1,101 auto burglary/theft cases, 200 shootings and 352 domestic violence cases by November.
Crimes Amid the Wildfires
The petition and demand for additional authorities to Vallejo comes as other California residents are not only battling the wildfires but facing a rise in crime, specifically arson, as several people across the state have been arrested for it.
A man was taken into custody last week after admitting he ignited a brush fire at Pioneer Park in Azusa. The suspect, identified by police as Jose Carranza-Escobar, was found standing near the flames and was arrested on suspicion of arson and is currently being held in custody.
California State Parks announced last week the arrest of 60-year-old Gloria Lynn Mandich in connection with a brush fire that ignited near Leo Carrillo State Park in Los Angeles County.
Mandich was booked into Ventura County Jail on a felony charge of arson under California Penal Code 451(d) and is scheduled to appear in Ventura County Superior Court. Authorities say the fire, which started on January 8, was quickly extinguished by the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Law enforcement also detained a man near the Kenneth fire in Woodland Hills on suspicion of arson. However, following further investigation, Los Angeles Police Department officials determined there was insufficient probable cause to charge him with arson.
In an effort to address the surge in crime amid the wildfires local and federal law enforcement agencies are teaming up to crack down on wildfire-related crime across the region.
According to an announcement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California on Wednesday, the Joint Regional Fire Crimes Task Force will focus on looting, burglary, impersonation offenses, arson, illegal drone activity and fraud "targeting both disaster victims and those wishing to make charitable donations."
What People Are Saying
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said in a statement on Wednesday, "We will not permit victims to be re-victimized. Our community has suffered tremendously, and we are here to support them."
In a statement to Newsweek via phone last week, Azusa Police Captain Robert Landeros emphasized the department's "zero tolerance" stance on crime, specifically arson type of behavior.
"It's obviously stressful for our community who is already on edge. We want to stop that, and we encourage everybody to call 911 if they see something suspicious, all the agencies up here, mine included, have staffed extra officers out there to patrol high risk areas to prevent this kind of behavior. We are actively looking for people that come into these areas to try and do illegal acts."
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said during a recent press conference: "If it is determined that there is a manmade or intentional setting of any of the fires in this situation, the people who committed this arson will be arrested. They will be prosecuted. They will be punished to the full extent of the law. Right now, obviously, law enforcement and firefighters are focused on containing these properties, saving lives, saving homes. But eventually, we will get to the causes of those fires, and that part the DA's office will be working with law enforcement to go after anyone who is guilty of the crime of arson."
What Happens Next
As of Saturday evening, firefighters had made significant efforts in containing the flames as winds died down. The Palisades fire is 43 percent contained, while the Eaton fire is 73 percent contained.
But weather forecasters have warned that fire weather might return as soon as next week in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
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