By Brisa Colon, CNN
As an extreme drought grips California, making water increasingly scarce, thieves are making off with billions of gallons of the precious resource, tapping into fire hydrants, rivers, and even small family homes and farms.
State and local officials say water theft is a long running-issue, but the intensifying drought has driven the thefts to record levels as reservoirs dry up and bandits make off with stolen water, often to cultivate the growth of illegal marijuana crops.
“Water stealing has never been more severe,” said John Nores, former head of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Marijuana Enforcement Team. The agency has been fighting the thefts for years, usually in rural areas of the parched state, that have been “devastating” communities, he said.
By Brisa Colon, CNN
As an extreme drought grips California, making water increasingly scarce, thieves are making off with billions of gallons of the precious resource, tapping into fire hydrants, rivers, and even small family homes and farms.
State and local officials say water theft is a long running-issue, but the intensifying drought has driven the thefts to record levels as reservoirs dry up and bandits make off with stolen water, often to cultivate the growth of illegal marijuana crops.
“Water stealing has never been more severe,” said John Nores, head of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Marijuana Enforcement Team. The agency has been fighting the thefts for years, usually in rural areas of the parched state, that have been “devastating” communities, he said.
Thieves in California are stealing scarce water amid extreme drought, devastating some communities abc57.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from abc57.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
YREKA, Ca. Hundreds of people gathered in the streets of Yreka this afternoon to demand justice for a man recently killed in an officer-involved shooting by police.
35-year-old Soobleej Kaub Hawj was shot dead by police on June 28th when evacuating from the Lava Fire.
“Siskiyou Hmong Americans United 4 Justice’ and Yreka community members came together for a justice vigil and march.
They claim Hawj was unjustly murdered.
“We are right now facing racism against our community, myself, I am Hmong, all our people here are Hmong people,” said national activist, Paula Yang.
She drove up from Fresno, California to demand transparency and an explanation for Hawj’s death.