San Francisco, California Aug 25, 2020 (Issuewire.com) - Looters have been caught breaking into empty homes in San Francisco-area communities where residents have been forced to evacuate because of current California wildfires. Looting is prompting some homeowners, homeowner associations and businesses to enlist the services of security guards to protect their property according to Access Patrol Services (APS), a firewatch security guard company serving San Francisco and counties across the Bay Area and northern California.
In Santa Cruz County, eight suspects were arrested for allegedly stealing items from homes near the CZU Lightning Complex fire. In another incident, looters took the wallet of a firefighter. He had left the wallet in his marked fire department vehicle.
"Evacuees are worried that their homes may not be standing when they return," says Fahim Abid, APS security director. "Now, they have to contend with thieves stealing their personal property."
When safe to do so, APS security guards patrol evacuated streets, homes and businesses, looking for suspicious activity. "Looting is a crime of opportunity," says Abid. "Our guards' presence will often deter looters, but if guards see someone trespassing or taking part in other criminal behavior, they will detain the individual until law enforcement arrives."
Guards monitor properties around the clock while owners are waiting for the fire department to give them the all clear to reenter. "The property protection provides peace of mind during a very stressful time," says Abid.
Fires are active in counties including Napa, Solano, Santa Clara, Alameda, Santa Cruz, San Mateo and Monterey in the north and Los Angeles County in southern California.
"We're early into the fire season," says Abid. "We expect our California firewatch guards will be busy providing property protection in fire areas now until the rest of the year."
APS has been a post disaster security firm for over 25 years. Contact Access Patrol Services at 866-770-0004 with questions about security guard fire protection duties and responsibilities in California and Arizona or click on https://accesspatrolservice.com.
About Access Patrol Services
Whether security is needed at an event, retail outlet, warehouse, commercial office building, medical facility or any number of other locations, Access Patrol Services uniformed security guards are on the job to keep people and places safe, to spot and respond to inappropriate behavior and provide assistance in case of emergency. Serving clients in California and Arizona, Access Patrol Services staff works with clients to analyze a location's security issues. Staff then develops a custom plan to fit the client's security needs. Our uniformed security guards are trained and licensed to deter crime, diffuse volatile situations, take the lead during emergencies, conduct security screenings, enforce rules and control access. 866-770-0004 https://www.accesspatrolservice.com
Media Contact
Access Patrol Services, Inc fahim@accesspatrolservice.com (866) 770-0004 https://www.accesspatrolservice.com
