As the Pacific Coast Expressway reopens to the public, the National Guard left the fire-damaged community in Malibu, and the city has approved a contract with a private security company to provide additional patrols in Palisades Fire, vacant houses.

The Malibu City Council voted unanimously at a meeting on May 21, an estimated $260,000 to hire a private security company to cover six to provide a 30-day patrol, with the option to expand the contract starting on May 23.

Residents and city officials raised concerns that the reopening of 11 miles of PCH on May 23 will make communities damaged or destroyed by Franklin and Palisades more vulnerable to theft and vandalism. Since the January fire, the PCH has been open only to emergency crews and residents.

During the city council meeting, Marib Mayor Marianne Riggins asked for a report to address safety issues raised by residents in response to crimes affected by fires.

Chris Soderlund of Malibu Mountain Station in Sgt. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Chris Soderlund said he had no specific crime data at the time, but said he had heard about safety issues raised by Malibu homeowners.

"A lot of them are just rumors," Soderund said.

At least 20 people were arrested for alleged robbery in the Pacific Palisades and Altadner in January in the Palisades and Eaton fires.

Sheriff’s officials told The Times that some crime has taken place in Malibu since the fire, and even if the opportunity to enter the area is limited to the public, it is reportedly not a large number of crimes.

"I believe there may be some (crime) related to burglary that can refer to commercial, residential or vehicle," said Sgt.

City Councilman Doug Stewart said the community appears to be losing a certain level of security as the National Guard plans to leave at the end of this month.

The City of Malibu selected six to provide additional patrols, “based on their extensive experience patrolling in the community, working with the mountain station staff of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Malibu and leveraging technology to enhance effectiveness and accountability”, according to the press release.

The company currently provides armed security services to the cities of Beverly Hills, Hidden Hills and Calabasas, as well as two school districts: Russ Viggs of Calabas and Eastside Union of Lancaster.

Coordinating with the lost hill station of Malibu, there were six deployed four patrols and a dedicated supervisor, all running in marked vehicles.

“Areas that have been damaged by fire face risks of theft, damage and theft, especially the risk of building materials, as many properties remain vacant during the reconstruction process,” the city press release said. “Borrowing crackdown efforts will be strengthened through zero-tolerance of crime and traffic violations.”

Representatives of the lost hillside stations of Malibu have access to Coved 6's 6 common deployment schedules, so they know where and when they will be.

But Wax stressed that the local sheriff’s station will continue its regular patrol and law enforcement efforts in the community. If there are six patrols in a specific area covered, the sheriff's representative may also conduct a "robbery and suppression effort" at the same location.

"We do our own actions, but they are also deterrent there," he said.

Officials continue to urge residents to play an active role in protecting their property by ensuring doors, doors and windows are locked.

Residents who observe suspicious activity or unauthorized persons are encouraged to call the Sheriff's Station by calling (818) 878-1808.

Residents can also complete a “agent letter” at the lost Hills Sheriff’s Station in Malibu, which authorizes agents to enforce trespass laws on private property, even if the owner does not exist.

This means that if an unauthorized person is on private property, the officer can take action against the intruder without first contacting the property owner.