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Newborn Boy Safely Surrendered in Los Angeles

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the seventh time this year with the report of a safely surrendered newborn. This most recent safe surrender occurred on October 11, 2012 at a hospital in Los Angeles.

As is standard practice, the baby boy is in protective custody and will be placed with a family approved for adoption by the Department of Children and Family Services.

“It is important that we continue to get word out about the Safe Surrender program so that mothers in desperate situations know there is a better option for their newborn than abandonment,” said Supervisor Knabe. “Thanks to the Safe Surrender program, this baby boy has a second chance at life and hope for a bright future.”

This is the eighth Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2012, and the 97th since the program began over ten years ago. The program was initiated by Supervisor Knabe and approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors in 2001. It allows someone to surrender an infant that is no more than three days old, as long as the infant shows no signs of abuse.

Making sense of the measures: Proposition 35

This week, I would like to talk about a crisis that is not happening “over there,” but happening right here in our streets, our neighborhoods and to our girls: Child sex-trafficking. Proposition 35–better known as the CASE Act, would be the toughest human trafficking law in the country.

Girls as young as 10 years-old are being coerced into prostitution in our local communities, and bought and sold on the internet.  California does not currently have laws to adequately protect our most vulnerable children.

Proposition 35 would increase prison terms for human traffickers, require convicted sex traffickers to register as sex offenders, mandate training for law enforcement officers, and require criminal fines from convicted human traffickers to pay for services to help victims.

Proposition 35 will also make it easier for a prosecutor to charge a trafficker who uses the internet to sell children for sex, while also providing services to help the young victims recover.

Under current law, it is the children themselves who are being prosecuted, as if any young girl would choose this life.  In fact, almost 500 juveniles are arrested for prostitution each year across California, 35 percent in Los Angeles County alone.

We must focus our efforts on the people responsible for exploiting these children so horribly and bring them to justice.

Go Metro to the Space Shuttle Endeavour’s Final Journey

The Space Shuttle Endeavour heads to its new home at the California Science Center this Saturday, Oct. 13. The quickest and easiest way to view the shuttle on its final journey is to hop on the Metro Expo Line to Expo Park, the only mass viewing area where the shuttle will linger for an extended transition period. Those who wish to see Endeavour should gather at about 8 p.m. on Saturday along Bill Robertson Lane. Expo Park is conveniently served by two Metro Rail stations: Expo/Vermont and Expo Park/USC.

Bus service in the areas along the shuttle route will experience disruptions during the Endeavour trip. Service detours are planned along Manchester Boulevard on Friday night and Crenshaw Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on Saturday. For the most up –to-date service alerts visit metro.net and look under Service Advisories, follow @metroLAalerts on Twitter or check Metro’s official blog, The Source.

The Los Angeles Police Department is asking the public not to gather along the shuttle route, due to traffic and safety concerns. No cars will be allowed into Expo Park and road closures surrounding the shuttle route are expected to cause traffic issues. Metro will be running enahanced service on Metro Rail on Saturday, Oct. 13 to accommodate shuttle visitors.

  • Expo Line will run at 6 minute headways from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Red, Purple and Gold Line trains will run with extra train cars at 10 minute headways from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Metro staff will be stationed along the Expo Line, at Union Station and 7th/Metro Station to assist with transfers and fare purchases, provide directions and inform patrons of bus detours
  • To bypass ticket lines, load TAP cards with fares or day passes in advance

Local High Schools to Clash in 10th Annual Girls’ Knabe Cup

High school golfers from across Los Angeles County’s Fourth District will tee-off tomorrow, October 10, 2012, at Supervisor Don Knabe’s 10th  Annual Girls Knabe Cup Golf Tournament.

Twenty-five high school teams, comprised of four players per team, will compete at Lakewood Country Club in an individual and team tournament for individual honors and a chance to dethrone defending team championTorranceHigh School.

“It constantly amazes me how the competition has gotten better and better as the years have gone on,” said Supervisor Knabe. “I am excited that this tournament is viewed as the precursor to the league and CIF Championships.”

The tournament, sponsored each year by Supervisor Knabe, allows student-athletes to engage in friendly competition, regardless of their high school’s respective league affiliation.  Each player receives a free lunch provided by McDonald’s, range balls and tee prizes.  Additionally, first, second and third place finishers receive trophies and windbreakers.  Supervisor Knabe will speak with players at12:30 p.m., followed by the shotgun start at1 p.m.

County to Host Used Oil Recylicing Event in Long Beach

Los Angeles County Public Works Department will host a free used motor oil and used oil filter recycling event at the Long Beach AutoZone, 6500 East Spring Street, on Saturday, October 13, 2012, from 10:00am to 2:00pm.

In exchange for turning in their used oil, participants will be rewarded with free oil containers, oil filter containers, shop towels, and funnels while supplies last. Those recycling oil filters will receive one new oil filter also while supplies last.

In addition, residents can drop-off used motor oil and used oil filters for free at weekend County-sponsored Household Hazardous Waste/Electronic Waste Collection Events or at local Certified Collection Centers. A full calendar of collection events and a list of these centers can be found at www.CleanLA.com.

Residents are asked to prepare items for drop-off by placing used oil filters in sealed plastic bags and storing used motor oil in leak-proof containers without mixing the oil with other liquids, including water.

For additional information on the County’s oil and oil filter recycling program, call Edna Gandarilla, Program Manager, at (626) 458-6536.

Glow-in-the-Dark Mural to be Dedicated at Dockweiler Beach

The Department of Beaches and Harbors and the L.A. County Arts Commission’s Civic  Art Program invite the public to the dedication of a new mural at Dockweiler State Beach, one of the County’s most popular beaches. The dedication will be held on Wednesday, October 10 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the concessions area of Lot #1 at the beach.

The mural by the artist duo David Russell and Roberto Del Hoyo, from MobileMuralLab, wraps around the concessions and restroom buildings and a retaining wall on the beach, transforming the look of the beach facilities. Since Dockweiler is the only L.A. County beach with public fire pits, visitors from all over Los Angeles County use the beach after dark. The artwork incorporates an innovative glow-in-the-dark feature that can only be viewed after sunset.

The mural resulted from a collaboration with Dockweiler beachgoers and the artists from MobileMuralLab. The text-based content of the mural was gathered from participants interviewed at free events on May 26 and June 23 called Nite-Write. Crowds of more than 200 people on both occasions shared beach stories and painted their names and the names of the communities where they live with ultra-violet paint on the sides of MobileMuralLab’s converted search-and-rescue truck. The truck will be open to the public at the dedication and will show documentary footage from the Nite-Write events.

This event is open to the public; no reservations are needed. Parking is free at Lot #1 at Dockweiler State Beach, 12000 Vista del Mar, Playa del Rey, CA 90293.

For more information about this project, please visit the L.A. County Arts Commission’s Web site at http://lacountyarts.org/civicart/projectdetails/id/207.

Making sense of the measures: Measure A

With the November election quickly approaching, I thought I would take some time and help you sort your way through the dozens of propositions you will have the opportunity to vote on. Each of the measures on the ballot will impact your life in one way or another.

This week, let’s start with Measure A, which was spurred-on by my motion earlier this year to make the position of County Assessor an appointed one, rather than elected.

The role of Assessor has a huge impact on the lives of the residents and businesses of this County.  He or she impacts what is for many taxpayers their most important asset.  For the county and city governments, the taxes that are generated from the funds the Assessor oversees are the primary source of revenue to support critical services.

In addition to the extensive experience and specialized training that is required to be the Assessor, the position also demands the highest level of integrity. There cannot be even a suggestion of external pressures or influence-peddling.  A strong, reliable, non-political manager must administer this critical function in order to meet the expectations of the constituents and government entities which rely on its honest, competent and prudent oversight.

Los Angeles County Citizens’ Commission on Jail Violence releases final report

I want to thank the commissioners, attorneys and staff who volunteered their time and expertise to the Los Angeles County Citizens’ Commission on Jail Violence.

After a thorough investigative process of numerous interviews, hearings and data review, the findings reflected in this report are obviously very troubling.  They expose a systemic breakdown in leadership, inconsistent discipline and a lack of standardized policies.  Unfortunately, this is not the first account illustrating these types of findings that the Sheriff’s Department has received.  It is clear that small, incremental changes will not do.  In order to affect the dramatic culture change that is required, the Sheriff must not simply agree to the findings, he must take bold action, and quickly.  The people of Los Angeles County demand it.

Finally, it is important to note that this report focused on the jails – our patrol and traffic departments continue to receive positive feedback from the contract cities and unincorporated areas they serve.

Click here for the Executive Summary

Click here for the Commission’s Final Report

‘Carmageddon’ Returning to I-405 Freeway Tonight

The demolition of the north side of Mulholland Dr Bridge has been scheduled for Saturday, September 29 and Sunday, September 30, 2012. As with the demolition of the south side of the 608-foot-long bridge, the I-405 through the Sepulveda Pass will be closed in both directions that weekend to allow for demolition.

As with the south side demolition, Metro and Caltrans are concerned that closing the freeway will result in severe congestion on the I-405 and adjoining freeways, perhaps effecting freeways throughout the region. Motorists throughout the State of California are asked to “Plan Ahead, Avoid the Area, or Eat, Shop and Play Locally.”

To reduce the impacts on local traffic flow, the Mulholland Dr Bridge will be demolished and reconstructed in two separate phases. During July 16 and 17, 2011, the south side of Mulholland Dr Bridge was demolished.

The north side of the bridge is expected to be completed 12 months after demolition. During reconstruction, the Mulholland Dr Bridge will accommodate one lane of traffic in each direction.

The Mulholland Dr Bridge will be the third bridge demolished and reconstructed to accommodate the widening of the I-405 freeway and to add a northbound high-occupancy vehicle lane through the Sepulveda Pass. When completed, the expanded Mulholland Center Dr Bridge will be widened by approximately 10 feet and will be designed to the latest seismic standards.

The I-405 project website will have the latest construction updates.

Beach Shuttle Service Extended for Abbot Kinney Festival

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe announced the free beach shuttle for residents and visitors to Playa Vista, Marina del Rey and Venice will be extended to support a change in date for the Abbot Kinney Festival on Sunday, October 7, 2012.

Supervisor Knabe noted that the shuttle service extension was prompted by the festival’s decision to move its date from Sunday, September 30 to Sunday, October 7 to accommodate the complete closure of the 405 Freeway project known as “Carmegeddon II.”

“Thanks to the partnership with Playa Vista, those who want to visit Marina del Rey or travel to the Abbot Kinney Festival can enjoy the ride without worrying about finding parking or dealing with traffic headaches,” said Supervisor Knabe.

Since its founding in 1984, the Abbot Kinney Festival has grown in size and popularity to become one of the largest community events of its kind in the country.  Each year, it attracts more than 150,000 eco-conscious urban singles, couples, and families to the sunny beachside community of Venice.

The free Playa Vista Beach Shuttle will provide service via a special route with stops in Playa Vista, Marina del Rey and at the Abbot Kinney Festival between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. For more details on the service route and bus stop locations please visit www.lagobus.info.