Senate Committee Approves Crackdown on Riot Crimes

In the first legislative response to widespread lawlessness during the Los Angeles riots, a state Senate committee on Wednesday approved a package of bills to crack down harder on criminals who loot and burn during a riot.

The fast-track proposal by Senate Leader David A. Roberti (D-Van Nuys) was unanimously endorsed without discussion by the Senate Judiciary Committee at a special hearing. It is expected to be passed by the Senate next week.

The three-bill package would lengthen jail and prison terms for convicted arsonists and looters who commit riot-related crimes during an officially declared state of emergency or insurrection. Additionally, Gov. Pete Wilson would be given authority to offer rewards of up to $50,000 for the arrest and conviction of looters and arsonists.

The “urgency” bills would take effect as soon as they are signed by Wilson. However, because of the constitutional prohibition against retroactive laws, the bills would not apply to arson and looting defendants already charged in Los Angeles.

The legislation would expand from seven to nine years the maximum term for looting and arson. The same maximum sentence would be imposed for possession or manufacture of a firebomb or combustible materials with the intent of starting an illegal fire. Probation would be virtually prohibited.

Roberti, whose childhood neighborhood in Hollywood was devastated by fires, said he viewed the legislation as a deterrent to a possible repeat of the Los Angeles burning and looting. He forecast easy approval in the Senate, but voiced concern that the package may face trouble in the Assembly Public Safety Committee, historically a steep hurdle for bills imposing stiffer penalties.