Some of the wealthiest and most well-known individuals in Los Angeles are choosing to invest in private security forces for their protection as California grapples with the consequences of devastating wildfires, while also facing threats from looters and scammers targeting affluent homeowners.
MPS Security is one of the security companies residents are turning to as they work to rebuild what they lost in the wildfires.
“Initially, only security firms were permitted to access the affected areas, meaning only those who could afford these services could check on their properties,” said Matthew Crider, executive protection manager at MPS Security, in an interview with Fox News Digital.
“This created a significant challenge. Homeowners were left uncertain about the status of their properties without access to electricity, potentially disabling their surveillance cameras, which rely on power and Wi-Fi connections. It was a stressful situation for everyone involved.”
An Altadena resident walks past a sign in front of her home on Jan. 13, 2025. (FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
Another company that people are turning to in the wake of the wildfires is Covered Six.
The company said it has deployed a special response team to help those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires.
“The COVERED 6 Special Response Team has been deployed to the Palisades Wildfire area to support communities threatened by both the fire itself as well as the increased occurrence of crime in these areas,” the company wrote in an alert on their website. “There may be a delay in our ability to respond to inquiries during this time, and we will make every effort to respond in a timely manner.”
According to the company’s website, they provide “large scale support operations in all aspects of public safety.”
“The threatscape of public safety has changed. Volatility and uncertainty, are common and resources are thin. Being more nimble and less restricted, Covered 6 can quickly deploy a variety of solutions to assist the public mission,” the company website reads.
In response to the mounting crime occurring during the wildfires, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department said it increased security measures and announced the creation of the “Looter Suppression Team.”
“This dedicated unit is composed of personnel drawn from multiple LASD divisions, each bringing specialized expertise to combat looting and other criminal activities that can arise during times of community vulnerability,” according to a previous statement from the department.
The team will operate with additional deputy personnel assigned to increase patrol operations, officials noted.
The agency’s AERO Bureau will conduct aerial patrols, providing enhanced surveillance and rapid response capabilities to ensure comprehensive coverage of the affected areas, according to the statement.
“Together, these efforts ensure continuous 24-hour patrolling to provide a consistent and visible law enforcement presence, particularly in neighborhoods still dealing with utility outages and heightened security risks,” officials said.
Fox News Digital’s Alexandra Koch contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Story tips and ideas can be sent to [email protected]
