Police Patrol Darkened Streets

Patrol cars from the LAPD, LAX Airport Police, undercover officers, and detectives combed the streets of Brentwood, vigilant for looters who might exploit the lack of functioning alarms and security cameras. While firefighters battled blazes on multiple fronts, officers from various agencies worked tirelessly to secure neighborhoods affected by the mandatory power shutdown.

LAPD seen patroling north Bundy Drive on Wednesday

Matt Kirk, the LAPD area liaison, emphasized the challenges: "In these unprecedented times, we must prioritize our precious resources to focus on the ongoing threat. We need to keep the area clear for our firefighters and our officers focused on supporting those efforts while also keeping an eye out for any potential looting, search and rescue efforts for missing persons, and protecting crime scenes in the event evidence of arson is discovered."

Residents turned to iMessage and WhatsApp group chats to share verified information and quell rumors. Meanwhile, some prepared homeowners stayed behind once the immediate fire threat subsided, especially those with TeslaSolar or backup generators keeping their homes powered.