Private security is often used by wealthy and famous residents of Los Angeles’ fire-stricken Pacific Palisades neighborhood, but Los Angeles’ According to private security experts, notorious red tape keeps some of their guards away from clients.

At least 20 people have been arrested on robbery-related charges, and authorities, while warning residents and copycats, said the number could rise.

Craig Paul, CEO of ASC Private Security in Los Angeles, said he has local personnel willing to work, but he can’t get authorization to send them to restricted areas where clients need them.

“I waited at the LAPD for 45 minutes and no one answered,” he told Fox News Digital. “So I finally gave up, almost knowing that even if they answered the phone, they were going to kick me out.”

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Firefighters battle the Kenneth Fire in the West Hills area of ​​Los Angeles on Thursday, January 9, 2025. (Ethan Swope/AP)

He said one of his customers snuck behind police lines, climbed a hill to inspect his property because he was so concerned, and then asked his agent if he could do the same. That’s not an option, he said, but he hopes police will let his team inside.

In particular, the community of Pacific Palisades, located at the center of one of the largest active wildfires, is a high-income community that already faces frequent threats from break-ins and break-ins.

“These are homes worth $30, $40, $50 million, and the property of the individual deserves the proper protection,” he said.

On January 9, 2025, the Eaton Fire broke out in Altadena, California, and wildfires raged in the Los Angeles area. Firefighters battled the blaze in the Los Angeles National Forest near Mount Wilson, with strong winds blowing up embers. (Reuters/Ringo Chiu)

“Crime is horrific,” he added. “Despite what we sometimes hear on the news, if you really pay attention, there are burglaries happening every night. Pacific Palisades happens to be one of the most crime-ridden neighborhoods right now. There are break-ins and break-ins happening every day , so homeowners do, they need and want their security personnel to be able to enter their homes at times like this.”

Paul said that while some private security companies are run by people with law enforcement backgrounds, others are not, and he believes authorities treat them differently.

People watch smoke and flames from the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood on January 7, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Driven by strong Santa Ana winds, the Palisades Fire has grown to more than 2,900 acres and 30,000 people have been ordered to evacuate, while a second fire breaks out near Eaton Canyon. (Tiffany Rose/Getty Images)

Even so, David Katz, CEO and former CEO of Global Security Group Drug Enforcement Administration Agentsaid his company exited Los Angeles several years ago.

“Looting is bad… people are risking their lives to stay because they know if they leave, their property will be stolen if it doesn’t end up burned,” he told Fox News Digital. “I have a lot of people that can go, but they have to work under exemption.”

Firefighters protect the remaining homes from the Palisades Fire. (Mark J. Trier)

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Herman Weisberg, a former NYPD detective and managing director of the private investigation firm SAGE Intelligence, said some of his clients worry they could lose irreplaceable works of art and works of art if the fires don’t spread. Other property. Don’t contact them first.

“The government is dealing with a very, (and) obviously very scary, very difficult job,” he told Fox News Digital. “From my perspective, right now we’re at the worst point of trying to solve our customers’ problems.” needs and concerns, but also trying to respect the work of the government and trying to work with them rather than against them.”

A firefighter communicates at the growing Kenneth Fire in the West Hills area of ​​Los Angeles on Thursday, January 9. (AP/Ethan Swope)

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He said he hadn’t seen conditions this bad since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005.

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“I stayed up all night trying to do the logistics of getting people there, housing people and getting the appropriate vehicles and supplies,” he said. “For my industry and for government, law enforcement, fire departments, of course Most importantly it will be a difficult few days for the families, individuals and companies affected.”

Two people ride bicycles amid damage from the Palisades Fire on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles. (Jae C. Hong/Associated Press)

On the other hand, the cancellation of Hollywood awards shows has taken some of the weight off, allowing him to take the boots off his previously booked red carpet events and help clients in his own community.

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“Instead of standing red carpet “Protect people and they’ll protect people in their communities,” he said. “The more things Hollywood can cancel, the better it is for everyone from a safety perspective.”