D.A. promises to prosecute those who try to re- victimize fire victims; warns against looting, price gouging

By Donald H. Harrison

SAN DIEGO – As San Diego County reeled under the impact of nine separate wild fires that burned more than 9,100 acres on Wednesday, May 14, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis issued strong warnings against looting, price gauging, and scamming by anyone who would “revictimize those who have been victimized already.”

Noting that a state of emergency had been declared both by local officials and California Gov. Jerry Brown, Dumanis said that if any unauthorized person takes anything, no matter how small, from a home or business that has been either evacuated or destroyed by the fire, “that is a felony” and “that means the penalty is up to three years,” Dumanis said at a news conference.

“Our office will work quickly and harshly and vigorously to prosecute all those who would even try to take advantage of those who are vulnerable right now,” said Dumanis.

She added that under California law, it is illegal to raise the price of goods or services any more than 10 percent in areas where an emergency has been declared.  She said the law covers clean up services, medical supplies, building materials, transportation, gas, “you name it, if it goes up more than 10 percent it is a crime.”

The district attorney also urged anyone who is contacted by services offering to clean up the debris at their homes to “make sure the debris is taken away before you pay.”

Dumanis said she issued these warnings in light of experiences the county had in 2003 and 2007 during other San Diego County wildfire disasters.

Earlier in the day, County Supervisor Bill Horn speculated that with so many fires starting in widely separate locations throughout the day, there is the possibility that they were arson-caused.   However, Supervisor Diane Jacob, who is the chair this year of the Board of Supervisors, and fire authorities said at this point no evidence has been collected on the cause of the fires.  They said each fire will be the subject of a separate investigation.

Jacob said the county is prepared for the possibility of more fires starting on Thursday, May 15, in view of the fact that record high temperatures—over 90 and 100 degrees in some cases—have been recorded for this time of year.  She said thanks to inter-agency cooperation, there are plenty of resources coming to join the fight including a big DC-10 type aircraft, 7 tankers, and 17 helicopters including 10 from the military.  An additional 12 from the military – bringing that contribution to 22 helicopters – is expected.

She added that the county’s emergency notification system sent out 121,878 alerts on Wednesday via reverse 911 phone calls and text messages to cell phones.   Sheriff Bill Gore said that the greatest concern as of  Wednesday evening was a fire near California State University at San Marcos, where 21,000 homes were asked to evacuate to centers that were opened at Mission Hills High school and San Marcos Middle School.  He said he would have 70 sheriff’s deputies working through the night, with 70 police officers from local jurisdiction, 72 agents from the Drug Enforcement Agency and members of the Border Patrol on call should they be needed.

The fires were located mostly in the northern portion of San Diego County – at Camp Pendleon, Oceanside, Carlsbad, San Marcos, and Escondido.  Smaller fires, quickly put out, also consumed brush in Lakeside in the Eastern portion of the county and in Scripps Ranch, a neighborhood of the City of San Diego.  About 30 homes and structures were estimated as destroyed, including 18 in an apartment complex, but the exact total was not known immediately.

Most schools in these areas were ordered closed on Thursday, with day by day assessment planned thereafter.  Cindy Martin, superintendent of the San Diego City School system, said although few schools in her district were threatened, many teachers live in areas affected by the fire and she felt by closing San Diego schools, resources could be made available to other school districts.

While no deaths were reported, blanket television coverage of the many fires kept people informed – and worried.

A sample of messages from members of the Jewish community who are Facebook friends depicted the mood:

Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort of Chabad of La Costa  “The Carlsbad fire is pretty close. As of now about two miles.  We packed the Torahs and some personal stuff. Say a prayer that no one gets hurt and that property damage is kept to a minimum.”   Wrote his wife, Nehama Eilfort:  “We are sheltering in place for now.  Parked and ready to go…”

Robin Israel, an executive with Seacrest Village Retirement Communities, based in Encinitas:  “Thanks for all the calls and texts. Pretty scary up here in north San Diego County.  Everyone stay connected and be safe.”

Jim Farley, who chairs the Leichtag Family Foundation, which operates a Jewish ranch in Encinitas:  “Mandatory evacuation.  Packing.  Wjhat to take with?  … We are doing great.  Neighbors in North La Costa/ Aviara need help and prayers.”

Simona Cherlin: “Evacuated from my house, saw the house across the street on fire.  Eek.  Staying with friends.  Please keep your fingers crossed.”

Tami Zohar: “One of them close to my home, the other close to my daughter’s home.  Be safe.”

Nancy Herzfeld-Pipkin. “State of emergency in SD County now because of 8-10 active fires.  Reminind me of 2003 and 2007 and getting scary.”