More about copper theft rather than "winterized" homes although I lived in the Sierras for ten years and know about that too.

A few years back I was plumbing a three story apartment building. After having the copper on the site cut out of the walls twice, I refused to continue the job until they put a night watchman on the site. (you know, those guys that you pay to sleep on your job site rather than at home) they did. I showed up one morning about 5 AM and started walking the job to make up a parts list for the day. No watchman! Where the hell was he? I found him on the third floor in one of the units, boinking the chick from next door!! LOL I threw her off the site, threatened to call the cops if I saw her again and fired him on the spot.
I finally got the job done and signed off. Never worked for that General again.
Additionally, I had to pull my crews because he would not keep the job site cleaned up and I almost broke a leg trying to walk down the stairs and tripping on all the cut offs and debris piled everywhere.