Last week, a veteran suffering from post traumatic stress disorder climbed the roof of a local bar and called the Veterans Crisis Line threatening to kill himself. The operator who answered the call on the hotline coordinated with our local law enforcement and our deputies were able to intervene before he could harm himself or others. He was taken to a local medical facility where he received a full mental health evaluation and was connected to appropriate resources.

This was a situation that could have turned tragic had it not been for the outstanding work of the national Veteran’s hotline and our deputies. Their quick action saved this man’s life. Our Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is an incredible resource for veterans in need. Through the department, veterans can receive assistance with employment, healthcare and education.

As more and more of our men and women return home from overseas, it’s important that we provide them with these critical services. Veterans can reach the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs by calling 877-4 LA VETS (8387) or by contacting the Veterans Crisis Line at 800-273-8255.

Tucked away in a discreet business park in Signal Hill lies a small, 1800 square-foot office, and perhaps one of the county’s best-kept secrets.

Driving by you might not even notice the business, and you certainly wouldn’t guess the non-profit it houses handles the operation of dispersing an average of seven million pounds of food annually in Los Angeles County, and parts of Orange County.

Lucky for Jim Wharton, co-owner of New York Catering, he did see the Food Finders sign plastered on the door just two years ago, and he quickly pulled off to the side of the road to call the number. He has since forged a relationship with what he describes as a “fabulous organization,” which allows his business to avoid tossing out perfectly healthy, delicious meals that go un-eaten at various events he caters.

“I’m not able to do anything with my leftovers – I’m not a restaurant that can turn extra food into soup or something,” said Wharton. “Food Finders made that problem literally go away, and the great news is that this wonderful food is not wasted. It is going to feed people who are hungry.”

Food Finders, established in 1989, is a community-based food rescue organization that serves as a conduit for food, education, and awareness between donors, volunteers, agencies and people in need.

Arlene Mercer, founder of Food Finders, witnessed a banquet manager throwing out good food in an alley trash bin and then noticed a homeless person scavenging for food just blocks away. Her frustration in wanting to help while also being aware of the incredible amount of waste sparked the idea that brought Food Finders into existence. She began by contacting food vendors and restaurants nearby to inquire about donating food overages, and then partnered with local agencies and missions to redistribute the donated food.

Fast forward to present day, and Food Finders recently surpassed the milestone of rescuing 108 million pounds of food since its doors opened, and will celebrate its 25^th anniversary this April.

“What really makes Food Finders so unique is that we focus on perishable foods,” said Patti Larson, executive director of Food Finders since 2012. “Seventy percent of the food we distribute is produce – fruits and vegetables – so this is nutritious food we are able to provide that otherwise would go to waste.”

A steady stream of 150 volunteers cover routes seven days a week, and Food Finder staff drivers transport food five days a week. The non-profit is able to operate in such a small office since they do not warehouse the food. They pick up and deliver on the same day, providing enough food for an estimated 40,000 meals to varying shelters, churches and agencies on that same day.

Carol Ramseyer and her husband Richard, volunteers with Food Finders for 25 years, continue to transport food from local stores, like Sprouts, to shelters twice a week.

“We didn’t realize how much of a need there was in our own community,” said Ramseyer. “People are going hungry, and there is no need if we make the right connections.”

One of the organization’s greatest challenges is building awareness about this service, and educating restaurants and stores that it’s OK to donate perishable food.

“The Good Samaritan Act protects us and them,” said Larson. “We want to ensure the food is safe, and stored properly, so we can use it and provide it to people in need, and at the same time be green and eliminate good food from going into our landfills.”

In addition to restaurants, catering companies and grocery stores, Food Finders also partners with SoCal Harvest, an all-volunteer not-for-profit based in Long Beach that picks backyard fruit and produce to support food banks. SoCal Harvest supplied more than 23,000 pounds of produce to Food Finders last year, and their capacity and contributions continue to grow.

“We have the same basic mission,” said Cindy Goss, director of SoCal Harvest. “We want to feed those in need and keep our food local. No one should go hungry. There is more than enough food for everyone.”

Food Finders accepts donations via phone, mail-in or through support of events, in addition to online. Volunteers are always needed and can apply online at foodfinders.org.

In celebration of Food Finders 25^th anniversary, a special photo retrospective event will be held on March 22 in downtown Long Beach. Details about the event and volunteering can be found at foodfinders.org.

With heavy rain in the forecast for this weekend, we are asking residents and businesses to shut all irrigation systems off.  Two storms expected later this week are anticipated to dump up to several inches of rain, more than enough water for lawns and gardens until at least the middle of next week. On January 17, 2014, Governor Jerry Brown declared a drought emergency for California, with the state suffering its driest year on record.

We all need to do our part to help conserve water, so the very best and most effective thing any one of us can do to take immediate advantage of the coming rain is to simply shut our sprinkler systems off. Your yard won’t need to be watered until later next week, at the very least.

On February 18, Long Beach Police detectives successfully rescued a 15-year old victim of sex trafficking.

I am happy to hear that the Long Beach Police Department’s aggressive efforts to combat human trafficking in the City of Long Beach have led to the successful rescue of a 15-year old girl. This young child was a victim—manipulated and sexually exploited for money by her scumbag pimp. Thanks to the commitment of Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell and the diligent work of Long Beach VICE detectives, she will receive the services and counseling necessary to empower to her to escape her life on the streets.

Sex trafficking is a horrific and cowardly industry thriving in communities across the County and fortunately, Long Beach has been an incredible partner in our efforts to crackdown on it. Just a few weeks ago, the city hosted trainings for employees to learn how to spot signs of human trafficking and identify possible victims. Working together, we can protect these girls and save them from a life of exploitation and abuse. Los Angeles County stands with the City of Long Beach in collectively saying “No more. Not in our streets. Not to our young girls.”

It is disappointing that the ACLU has chosen to file a lawsuit against Los Angeles County regarding the updating of the county’s official seal.  Our motion to add the cross to the County seal was in the name of historical correctness, not political correctness.

While the ACLU has chosen to engage in this issue, today I am up in Sacramento working with a bipartisan group of elected officials to protect our most vulnerable, the young victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking. If ever there were an issue threatening individual liberty, certainly it would be the heinous crime of minors, as young as 10-years-old, being bought and sold in the streets of communities across California. That is where I think our attention and resources should be focused, rather than on frivolous lawsuits.

Orange County Undersheriff John Scott was officially sworn in as Los Angeles County Interim Sheriff, following today’s retirement of Sheriff Leroy Baca. I would like to thank Sheriff Baca for his 48 years of  public service and his commitment to keeping the communities and citizens of Los Angeles County safe.  Right to the end, he has been steadfast in his commitment to the department.  I wish his family and him all the best in his retirement.

I am also very pleased to welcome John Scott as our interim sheriff.  I look forward to working with John to aggressively implement the recommendations of the Citizens’ Commission on Jail Violence, while overseeing  the thousands of men and women of our Sheriff’s department who put their lives on the line every day to keep our streets safe.  We have a lot of work to do and I look forward to John jumping right in and being focused on reform over the next 10 months before a newly elected Sheriff takes over the department.