Small town forced to evacuate due to fire warn anyone with intentions to loot
Via Vince Cestone and Haaziq Madyun at KRON 4
Residents of Pope Valley, California have been evacuated due to the Valley Fire, but they aren’t just going to let their homes be looted and not do anything about it.
A sign was posted by the side of the road in a neighborhood where residents are particularly nervous about people capitalizing on their vulnerable state. It read “Attention scum, you loot we shoot.”
Local police reported thieves who steal safes remaining after houses burn down and also have reported several cases of looting. It looks like residents aren’t going to just sit around and let theirs or their neighbor’s houses be sifted through.
It is incredibly infuriating that there are people, scum is a good word for them, that would go through people’s houses after they evacuate for their own safety and take whatever they want. Those selfish people deserve whatever is coming to them, especially armed and angry residents. Neighborhoods like this are model examples of how communities need to band together in similar situations.
A warning has been posted for anyone thinking about looting Valley Fire victims.
The message was found Tuesday on the side of the road where some residents are concerned about thieves.
“Attention scum, you loot we shoot.” That is a pretty clear message from Pope Valley residents to anyone thinking about looting abandoned homes evacuated due to the Valley Fire.
The warning was posted anonymously at the border of Pope Valley and Middletown where residents say there is real concern over someone taking advantage of their misfortune. Authorities had announced the arrest of at least two suspects with burned out safes in their vehicles as they investigate reports of looting in the wake of the 70,000 acre wildfire.
“It’s horrible. You know, I lost my house. I lost everything i had,” Middletown resident Richard Woita said.
Woita said Middletown residents are on the lookout for thieves, “We put out the word. You know, the people who are left here just look out for one another.”
Bo Sheffer advises exercising caution when using social media because looters could be using those platforms to locate evacuated homes. “Just don’t give any of your information out online…” Sheffer said.
As it stands Tuesday night, only emergency responders, media, and those authorized by law enforcement are allowed in Middletown.
Police are seen making regular patrols throughout the city.
