Two men are facing misdemeanor charges for allegedly violating the emergency wildfire curfew in Pacific Palisades by walking the streets of the fire-ravaged neighborhood before dawn Saturday, officials announced Wednesday.
Ethan Matthew Hayes, 44, and Christopher John Devcich, 45, were allegedly walking in the Palisades at 4:30 a.m. that morning in violation of the curfew order enacted two days earlier, according to L.A. City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto announced.
Established by Los Angeles County, the curfew order seeks to counter crime and looting by prohibiting anyone from being on a public street in any evacuation order or warning zone within Los Angeles, Santa Monica and Malibu, and unincorporated areas of L.A. County, between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Violators face fines of up to $1,000 and/or up to six months in jail.
“This curfew order was enacted to protect public safety, prevent looting and burglaries, and enable our first responders to continue their Herculean task of protecting our city and its residents,” Feldstein Soto said in a statement.
“My office will hold accountable anyone who violates this order. I am committed to leveraging every resource at our disposal to help Los Angeles heal, recover, and rebuild, which is what we have always done as Angelenos.”
Feldstein Soto said her office is also investigating fire-related complaints of possible price gouging. State law prohibits increasing the price of goods and services such as rental housing, shelter, food, water, clothing, pet care and health care by more than 10% following an emergency declaration.
Price gouging could lead to prosecution, with penalties of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $10,000. Violators are also subject to civil enforcement actions by the City Attorney’s Office, which could lead to penalties of up to $2,500 per violation and other restitution, Feldstein Soto said.
Residents who have been victimized or who suspect price gouging are urged to report it to the City Attorney’s Office at att.pricegougingtaskforce@lacity.org.
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