Earthquake: The Long Road Back : Gouging on Prices Reported : Law enforcement: A task force is set up to handle the cases. Merchants can be prosecuted under a 1992 ordinance passed in the wake of rioting.

Some residents of quake-ravaged communities became victims of a different sort Tuesday as some merchants boosted prices on everyday necessities such as milk, water, gasoline, batteries and disposable diapers.

At a temporary shelter set up for victims at Sylmar High School, a woman told aides to Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-Panorama City) that a convenience store had charged her $1.50 for a cup of water.

In San Fernando, police persuaded the manager of an Arco station to lower gasoline prices after boosting them 140% in the hours after the quake.

There were other reports around the region of price gouging on plumbing supplies to repair broken water pipes and water heaters, and plywood needed to board up broken storefronts and windows.

Anticipating further reports, law enforcement officials in Los Angeles on Tuesday established a task force to handle quake-related complaints about price gouging, charity fund-raisers and public insurance adjusters, among other things. The number is (800) 897-6677.

Los Angeles merchants can be prosecuted for price gouging, defined as boosting prices by more than 10% above pre-disaster levels. The ordinance was adopted after the 1992 riots, when local authorities found they had few legal tools to fight gouging.

At an afternoon press conference, Los Angeles Police Chief Willie L. Williams said residents who encounter price-gouging should contact police immediately.

Deputy City Atty. Ruth Kwan, who chairs the task force, said she has received unconfirmed complaints that two convenience stores in the San Fernando Valley charged $6 for a gallon of water, and of a construction supply company selling four sheets of plywood for $1,000, more than 10 times the usual price.

“Our officers are coming back with reports from citizens all over the city,” said Robert Parks, public information officer for the San Fernando Police Department. “The most ridiculous price I’ve heard is $8 for a gallon of milk.”

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Police urged the owner of an Arco station at Brand and Laurel Canyon boulevards to lower his prices after angry customers complained that they were being ripped off. Immediately after the quake, the station raised the price of regular gasoline to $2.50 a gallon from $1.04.

“Our officers persuaded him to use better judgment,” San Fernando Police Chief Dominick Rivetti said.

Police said the station’s gasoline was back at pre-quake prices today.

Complaints about quake-related gouging were not limited to the epicenter area in Northridge. Los Angeles attorney David Bricker said that one plumbing supply store in Mar Vista wanted to charge him $30 for a flexible copper pipe normally priced at about $7. The pipe was needed to repair a water heater.