VALLEY BRIEFS

“We would like to make our community aware that price gouging during a state of emergency is not just wrong, it is illegal,” said ECPD Cmdr. Aaron Reel in a release. “In this time of concern, we need all El Centro residents to safeguard themselves, friends, and neighbors from being taken advantage of.”

Reel said the community can do this is by addressing any potential disaster-related price gouging on essentials like housing (hotels and motels included), medical supplies and food.

“Our local businesses are the lifeline for this community during this time of need,” he said. “We all depend on the goods and services they provide as a local partner.”

California law generally prohibits charging a price for specified goods that exceeds, by more than 10 percent, the price of an item before a state or local declaration of emergency, in the area affected by the emergency, Reel said.

This law applies to those who sell food, emergency supplies, medical supplies, building materials and gasoline. The law also applies to emergency cleanup services, transportation, hotel accommodations and rental housing. Exceptions to this prohibition exist if, for example, the price of labor, goods or materials has increased for the business.

Those found in violation of the law may face significant fines and possible jail time, Reel said.

Anyone who sees something suspicious in terms of prices of essential goods or anyone sees actual price gouging occurring within the city of El Centro is asked to report it to the Police Department non-emergency line at (760) 352-2111.

Additional information may be found on the State Attorney General web page at https://www.oag. ca.gov/consumers/pricegougingduringdisasters