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County Grant Will Provide Homeless Families In Whittier With Housing And Services

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a $1 million grant to the Whittier First Day Coalition, for a new transitional housing program in the City of Whittier, Supervisor Don Knabe announced recently.

The Families Together Transitional Housing Project, which will be run by Whittier First Day, will provide transitional housing and intensive services to homeless families for up to two years. The funding for the project comes from the Fourth District’s allocation of County homeless funds, along with support and funding from the City of Whittier, foundations and the local business community.

This is an unprecedented collaboration between Los Angeles County and the City of Whittier to help families in their community break the cycle of homelessness and get back on their feet, said Supervisor Knabe. Our local communities are leading the effort to end homelessness, and Whittier has been a key partner to that end. The work we have accomplished so far to develop the Families Together project has been a successful model of city-county partnership that we hope to build on in future endeavors.

Whittier Mayor Owen Newcomer added that, the Whittier City Council was pleased to assist by channeling some federal funds to this program to help transition homeless families into stable housing and jobs. First Day’s new project will give people the opportunity that they need to work for a better future.

Safe Surrender Program Off To A Successful Year

Just weeks into 2008, the Los Angeles County Safe Surrender Program is already off to another successful year with three newborns having already been safely surrendered. These recent surrenders also included the unique occurrence of two surrenders happening on the same day. With the three surrenders since the beginning of the year, a total of 65 newborns have now been safely surrendered since the program began in 2001.

The first surrender of 2008 was a baby girl who was brought to Los Angeles County Fire Station 20 in the City of Norwalk on January 9. She was the 63rd safely surrendered baby. Baby 64 was a newborn boy surrendered at an urgent care facility in the City of Huntington Park on January 20. That same day another baby girl was surrendered at a hospital in the City of Monterey Park.

This is not the first time multiple surrenders have happened on the same day. Last year, two babies were surrendered in different parts of the County on January 17, 2007. Two different surrenders also occurred on February 10, 2007.

The Los Angeles County Safe Surrender Program was initiated by Supervisor Don 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.

Knabe Praises Bust Of Multi-Million Dollar Child Care Fraud Ring

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe offered congratulations today on the successful bust and arrests of a widespread child care fraud ring that involved the theft of over $3 million in taxpayer’s funds. In 2007, Supervisor Knabe led the effort to pass State legislation to combat fraudulent use of funds for government-subsidized child care programs – fraud which costs California’s taxpayers millions of dollars per year.

I could not be happier that the criminals involved in this fraud ring are now behind bars, but I am also still outraged at the continued theft of taxpayer dollars intended for families in need, said Supervisor Knabe. The fact that we have tens of thousands of children on a waiting list for these child care subsidies shows that there is still a great need for the State to address the serious fraud problems in these important programs

The bust announced today involved charges being filed against 55 different people, which were spread across five separate criminal complaints. The fraud ring was allegedly run, in part, by a convict currently in federal prison on a narcotic trafficking term. The $3 million bust is believed to the largest of its kind to date in the nation.

Today’s bust is a prime example of how California’s child care programs, which issue over $1.2 billion in taxpayer dollars each year, are highly vulnerable to fraudulent activity and improper payments, due to a gap in appropriate oversight at the State level, said Supervisor Knabe.

A 2005 report to the Legislature indicated that fraud could exist in up to 7 percent of all child care payments statewide. The report also estimated that 6.2 percent of all child care payments are erroneously issued, as a result of inconsistent practices and policies.

Throughout 2006 and 2007, Supervisor Knabe continually advocated in Sacramento for decisive action on this issue. In 2006, Knabe sponsored Senate Bill 1421 (Margett) to address fraudulent activity in child care programs. This led to a bipartisan dialogue, and passage of Senate Bill 84 (Ducheny) by the Legislature, which was then signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger in August 2007.

The Legislature’s action calls for a best-practices study, which is due back by September of this year. It will report on the best practices for the prevention, detection, and investigation of improper payments and fraud in all subsidized child care programs. Additionally, local efforts across California, such as the highly-effective fraud mitigation and prevention activities in Los Angeles County, which last year prevented over $50 million in erroneous child care payments from occurring, will be reviewed as part of the study.

Board Renews $50,000 Reward In Attempted Murder Case Of Whittier Sheriff’s Deputy

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors once again unanimously approved a $50,000 reward today for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Emigdio Preciado, the primary suspect in the shooting of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Schaap. The Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau requested that the Board re-establish the $50,000 reward to prompt individuals to come forward and provide information as to the whereabouts of the suspect.

On September 5, 2000, Deputy Schaap was shot and injured while on routine patrol in Whittier with his partner, Deputy David Timberlake. While attempting to stop a van for a vehicle code violation, the alleged assailants opened fire with an assault rifle from inside the van. Multiple rounds were fired, one of which struck Schaap in the head. The bullet fragments were removed at St. Francis Medical Center, and Schaap was released and home with his family by Thanksgiving Day. A first suspect has already been apprehended, but the second suspect, Emigdio Preciado, is still at large and wanted for attempted murder. Preciado is an adult male Hispanic presumed to be in Mexico and considered armed and dangerous.

By approving this $50,000 reward, our Board intends to send a clear message that we support our deputies 100 percent and that this sort of egregious assault will not be tolerated, said Supervisor Knabe. If this reward serves to bring Deputy Schaap’s attacker to justice, I consider it money well spent.

Information on the whereabouts of Preciado or any other information related to this case should be directed to any local law enforcement office or to the Homicide Bureau of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, at (323) 890-5500.

LACMA Invites L.A. To Free Community Weekend

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) welcomes all of L.A. to its Free Community Weekend, celebrating the opening of the Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM), and other key features of Phase I of LACMA’s ongoing transformation.

During the weekend-long extravaganza Saturday, February 16 through Monday, February 18 from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm, visitors will explore BCAM, the BP Grand Entrance, outdoor works by Chris Burden, Robert Irwin, Jeff Koons, and Charles Ray, as well as LACMA’s newly installed modern art galleries and the reconfigured Atrium in the Ahmanson Building. The rest of LACMA’s galleries of European, American, Asian, Islamic, and Indian art will also be open free of charge for all to enjoy. A full schedule of entertainment is planned as well. LACMA’s Free Community Weekend is sponsored by Target.

While all three days of LACMA’s Community Weekend are free, tickets are required. Tickets can be reserved by calling the LACMA box office at 323 857-6010, or by visiting www.lacma.org

The following entertainment will be presented throughout LACMA on all three days of the Free Community Weekend:

11:00 am-4:00 pm

Live music & performance, sound artists, artist-led workshops – Hancock Park

LACMA’s backyard comes alive with a variety of sights and sounds. Artist Hadley Holliday will be holding a weekend-long workshop where she’ll ask participants to engage in a special group sculpture. On Monday, artist Peggy Hasegawa will lead an origami-like paper architecture workshop.

Monday will also feature live musical performances by bands Ars Poetria at 11:00 pm and the Aquabats at 2:00 pm. All weekend long visitors can enjoy and participate in the eclectic sounds of Alan Nakagawa and his fellow sound artists who have made unique instruments out of recycled materials. While guests are in the park, they can also sign kids up for LACMA NexGen, the nation’s only free youth membership program.

11:00 am-4:00 pm

Los Angeles Contemporary Dance – South Plaza

This innovative, culturally influenced dance troupe will be performing short, art-inspired dance sets in response to Chris Burden’s outdoor artwork, Urban Light, and Robert Irwin’s palm garden.

All Day

Roaming Performers – Throughout LACMA

Avant Garde stilt-walkers, head-dress-making balloon artists, and magicians will wander LACMA’s campus. Visitors will also see intricate, artist-designed bird puppets soaring through the crowds.

All Day

Photo Booth – Los Angeles Times Central Court

Guests can make their museum memories last by hopping into LACMA’s specially designed photo booth for commemorative snapshots.

All Day

Live Deejays – North Plaza

Deejays will spin throughout the day for those who love to dance or just relax to the sounds on LACMA’s outdoor plaza.

All Day

Construct – Boone Children’s Gallery

Kids’ imaginations can run wild in Construct; an exhibition that lets children paint, sculpt, draw, and even design buildings in the Renzo Piano-inspired architectural square.

LA County Women At Greater Risk For Heart Disease

To commemorate American Hearth Month, Los Angeles County public health officials are advising residents, especially women, to learn about factors that put them at risk for cardiovascular disease and take immediate steps to reduce and control those risks. Cardiovascular disease, commonly referred to as heart disease, includes coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, heart failure and several other conditions including arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, cardiomyopathy, and peripheral arterial disease.

To put it into perspective, a woman dies every minute from cardiovascular disease nationally. Heart disease is still the leading cause of death, among women, yet many women do not perceive themselves as being at the same risk as men said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Public Health Director and County Health Officer.

Heart disease and stroke are also the leading causes of premature death and disability in LA County. Data from the LA County Office of Women’s Health indicate that adult women in LA County die from cardiovascular disease at a higher rate than the national rate, with the largest disparities among African American women. Additionally, 52% of African American women, 38% of Latinas and 35% of white women were found to be at risk for heart disease, defined as having two or more of the following factors: cigarette smoking, physical inactivity, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and high blood cholesterol.

Even though 53% (459,000) of cardiovascular deaths in 2005 nationally were in women compared to 47% (411,000) in men, awareness that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women is much lower than the awareness that it is the leading cause of death among men. Also, a 2006 national study conducted by the American Heart Association evaluated trends in women’s awareness, knowledge, and perceptions related to cardiovascular disease since 1997. Although awareness has increased, knowledge gaps exists among ethnic and racial minorities. Only 31% of African American women and 29% of Latina women compared to 68% of white women reported cardiovascular disease as a leading cause of death.

While progress has been made against some factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease in the general LA County residents, many challenges still remain. Trends in cigarette smoking between 1997 and 2005 indicate a decline in some county residents, especially among Latino, white, and Asian adults, however rates are still climbing among African Americans. In addition obesity increased from 12% to 21% in the same period, and a substantial proportion of adults (37.5%) report a sedentary lifestyle.

A phone survey conducted by the Office of Women’s Health helps women determine their risk for heart disease. Women can call a toll-free hotline, 1-800-793-8090, for their Healthy Heart Risk Assessment. Based on the caller’s risk level, they will receive an information packet in their preferred language that includes educational materials on heart disease prevention and a resource guide for free and low-cost health and fitness programs in LA County. Operators are available in 7 languages Monday – Friday 8:30 am-6:00 pm. Services are provided in the following languages: English, Korean, Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish, Vietnamese and Armenian. The goal of this phone-based, multi-language survey is to raise awareness and reach low-income women that might not have access to a traditional health care network.

Supervisors Knabe and Molina Announce New Trash Collection Service Begins In South Whittier April 1, 2008

Los Angeles County Supervisors

Don Knabe and Gloria Molina announced recently that the much anticipated new trash collection service in South Whittier begins April 1, 2008. An exclusive Franchise Agreement has been provided to Burrtec Waste Industries, Inc. for solid waste collection services to residents in South Whittier.

This agreement will allow us to offer better trash and recycling services to the residents of South Whittier, said Supervisor Knabe. The agreement will help the County provide more efficient service while reducing service fees. Additionally, working with individual haulers will help us keep better track of our residential waste diversion rate, which is important as the state enforces minimum rates.

The County’s new Franchise system is helping us better serve our unincorporated communities. A binding agreement between the County and Burrtec will provide efficient and cost-effective trash hauling services to our residents and hold the trash hauler accountable for quality customer service, said Supervisor Molina. South Whittier residents will also now pay a lower rate than those offered by previous trash haulers.

Prior to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (DPW) call for proposals, the department spent several years working with trash haulers throughout the County to ensure an adequate process was established for the development of the County’s Trash Franchise system.

A competitive process was used for selecting the exclusive waste hauler, and proposals were evaluated based on the rate, work plan, experience, financial strength, and other criteria received by residents during community meetings and a survey in 2005.

In addition to reporting, screening protocols and un-permitted waste and safety requirements, the South Whittier franchise agreement at a $17.67 monthly rate includes:

– Once-a-week automated trash collection

– One 96-gallon refuse, one 96-gallon green waste, and one 96-gallon recycling containers

– One extra green waste container and/or recycling free of charge upon request

vAdditional refuse containers at $5 per container per month upon request

– Free Holiday tree collection

– Annual curbside clean-up event (including electronic waste)

– On-call bulky item collections twice a year in unlimited quantities (including electronic waste

– Four special community clean-up events per year

– Free roll-out services for elderly and/or disabled

– Customer Education Program

– A 25 percent senior discount for residents 62 or older who either (1) qualifies for utility rate discounts based on financial need and is the head of household, or (2) generates small amounts of waste and uses 32-gallon containers

– Annual curbside clean-up event (including electronic waste)

– On-call bulky item collections in unlimited quantities (twice per year, including electronic waste)

The recycling programs, such as Universal/E-Waste cleanup events, Sharps Program, illegal dumping prevention and cleanup activities, and others will provide residents with convenient opportunities to dispose of hard-to-handle wastes. It will also increase recycling and assist the County in meeting the State’s 50 percent waste reduction mandate (AB939) and avoid penalties.

Another benefit to the community is cleaner air and less pollution from gas emissions because all residential refuse and recycling service trucks in South Whittier will use Alternative Fuel Vehicles for operation. These vehicles will operate under a liquid natural gas (LNG) or a compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system.

For more information, contact the Franchise Hotline at (800) 993-5844 or www.888CleanLA.com

Traffic Signal Synchronization Project Complete In Long Beach And Paramount

The County of Los Angeles has completed the construction of a Traffic Signal Synchronization Project in the Fourth District cities of Long Beach and Paramount, Supervisor Don Knabe announced recently.

The $1,022,691 project was financed with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Grant Funds and Proposition C Local Return Funds, and focused on coordinating the timing of signals along Eastern Avenue/Garfield Avenue/Cherry Avenue between Pacific Coast Highway and Atlantic Boulevard.

This project is part of the County’s ongoing program to enhance traffic flow and safety for drivers and pedestrians. Prior projects have shown travel times through these synchronized routes are reduced by as much as 24 percent during peak travel hours and as much as 29 percent during other periods of the day.

It is important that we constantly look for ways to reduce congestion and improve the flow of traffic on our roads, said Supervisor Knabe. By synchronizing these traffic signals, both the residents of these cities and the nearby unincorporated County areas that travel these routes will benefit.

Knabe Establishes Rewards For Information Related To Three Shooting Deaths In Long Beach

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved three $10,000 rewards today, at the request of Supervisor Don Knabe, for information related to two different shooting incidents that led to three deaths in the City of Long Beach.

On Saturday, January 19, 2008, Dennis Moses, 17, and Breon Taylor, 15, were shot and killed while attending a birthday party at the Lakewood Masonic Center located on East Parkcrest Street. Police believe a fight occurred between people at the party, which led to gunfire. The very next day, on Sunday, January 20, 2008, Ikime Sims, 20, was found outside a house near 68th Way and Orcutt Avenue with a gunshot wound to his lower body. He was transported to a local hospital, but died shortly after.

It is important for the County of Los Angeles to display its resolve in protecting innocent citizens from appalling crimes, said Supervisor Knabe. In order to bring these suspects to justice, and demonstrate our intolerance to such deplorable crimes, I believe these reward should be established, hoping someone will come forward so that we can bring these suspects to justice.

Any person having any information related to the January 19 incident is asked to contact Detectives Mark McGuire or Hugo Cortes of the Long Beach Police Department – Homicide Division at (562) 570-7244. Any person having any information related to the January 20 incident is asked to contact Detectives William Matsubara or David Rios of the Long Beach Police Department – Homicide Division at (562) 570-7244.

Construction Set To Begin On Dockweiler State Beach Youth Center

Construction of the Dockweiler State Beach Youth Center, located at the end of Imperial Highway and Vista del Mar, is scheduled to begin January 28, 2008 with anticipated completion in April 2009.

The $6.2 million project is jointly funded by County of Los Angeles Prop A and State of California Prop. 12 bond funds. This project will provide a youth activity center at Dockweiler State Beach and will serve as the southern headquarters for the Los Angeles County W.A.T.E.R. (Water Awareness, Training, Education and Recreation) youth education program offering aquatic sports camps.

The 8,800 square foot building will consist of multi-purpose meeting and training facilities, administrative space, indoor storage facilities, restroom and locker facilities and storage for beach equipment.