() Authorities in Los Angeles are stepping up efforts to prevent looting or theft from damaged or evacuated homes.

The region has been dealing with wildfires for nearly two weeks, resulting in major evacuations. Law enforcement has made several arrests for looting, including people who have impersonated firefighters and reporters.

With support from the National Guard, local law enforcement is able to put more of a focus on criminal activity. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department recently launched looting patrols and they will now be joined by newly formed looter suppression teams.

That will mean more surveillance and quicker responses in neighborhoods that remain evacuated.

Evacuations have left scores of luxury homes unoccupied and unsecured. Looters have been captured on ring video, seen inside a Palisades mansion, scouting things out and heading upstairs.

And it’s not just wealthy homes that are being targeted.

Criminals have also been going through the rubble of homes destroyed by fires, stealing salvageable items before residents even get a chance to return.

In various incidents, police have arrested people posing as firefighters and journalists to get into the fire zones. Two suspects even tried to use a decommissioned fire truck to access the area.

There have been more than 100 arrests over the past two weeks and scores of burglaries, reports of stolen goods and even entertainment industry awards.

“It just angers me that if a family has something that stood, that survived, and they’re able to take home, that’s the last thing they have and someone comes and just takes it from them,” said Altadena resident Martha Jimenez.

Law enforcement officers are present in evacuation zones, along with utility crews replacing miles of power lines, firefighters and journalists. There are multiple checkpoints to get into the area; a crew had an officer inspect a vehicle to make sure there really was camera equipment for legitimate journalism.

Some residents have also taken matters into their own hands.

A handful of property owners chose to defy evacuation orders to stay and protect their homes. At first, it was from the flames and fire but later, to protect the homes from looters.

Calling themselves the stayers, they have posted signs to keep bad actors away, saying “if you are looting, we are shooting.”

L.A. District Attorney Nathan Hochman is also pushing California Gov. Gavin Newsom to crack down on predatory burglaries and make looting a felony.