Surge in 'Burglary Tourism' Hits Southern California, LAPD Responds with Task Force

Organized crime groups from South America are exploiting the U.S. visa system to target luxury homes, prompting increased law enforcement efforts.

A surge in 'burglary tourism' has hit Southern California, with organized groups from South America exploiting the U.S. visa waiver program to target luxury homes.
The Los Angeles Police Department has established a task force to combat the rise in burglaries, which have also affected areas in Michigan, New York, and London.
Authorities have noted the burglars' sophisticated methods, including the use of jamming devices to disable home security systems and avoiding firearms to evade more severe charges.
Chile's participation in the Visa Waiver Program, allowing for 90-day visits without a visa, is under scrutiny due to the failure to share criminal backgrounds of its citizens with the U.S.
Calls for revoking Chile's status in the Visa Waiver Program and increasing cooperation between the U.S. and Chilean governments to combat the burglary wave are growing.