Issues

L.A. County Launching New Baby Safe Surrender Outreach Campaign

What:

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe will highlight the success of the County’s Baby Safe Surrender program with the launch of a new awareness campaign and the celebration of a former Safe Surrender baby’s 4th birthday. The new Baby Safe Surrender campaign will expand the program’s outreach to communities across Los Angeles County by launching in multiple languages, collaborating with community-based organizations and relying on a mix of traditional and grassroots awareness efforts.

Why:

The recent discovery of an abandoned baby boy in South El Monte, and the Safe Surrender of a newborn girl a few days later, is a reminder that more work must be done to spread the word about Baby Safe Surrender. The Baby Safe Surrender program was created to give a mother, no matter the situation, a safe, secure and anonymous way to get her child into safe hands—No shame, No blame, No names. Nicholas’ 4th birthday is a reminder of the 109 precious lives saved by the Baby Safe Surrender program. It is a celebration of all the children who were given a second chance at life by mothers who made the right choice for their baby and for themselves.

Who:

Elected Officials and community leaders speaking at the event and available for interviews:

  • Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe
  • Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby
  • Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Director Dr. Mitchell Katz
  • First 5 LA Director of Public Affairs Francisco Oaxaca

Additional attendees available for interviews:

  • Nicholas’ family
  • Adoptive families of safely surrendered children
  • Deane Tilton, Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect

When:

Thursday September 26, 2013 at 3:00pm

Where:

Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
500 West Temple Street, 90012 | Across from the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels
Parking for media available in front of building.

Visuals:

  • Nicholas blowing out his birthday candles and celebrating his birthday with other surrendered children, their families and Supervisor Knabe.
  • Community leaders speaking and attending the event.
  • Fire truck and firefighters onsite.
  • Kids interacting with firefighters and getting to try on gear.
  • Balloons, cake, balloon artist, etc.
  • Large visuals of the new campaign unveiled.
  • Attendees looking at the new website on laptops.

Background:

Established by Supervisor Knabe in 2001, the Baby Safe Surrender program allows a parent or legal guardian to confidentially hand over an infant, three days old or younger, to any hospital emergency room or fire station in Los Angeles County. As long as the baby has not been abused or neglected, the person may surrender the baby without fear of arrest or prosecution for child abandonment. Since the program began, 109 babies have been safely surrendered in Los Angeles County, including six this year.

Newborn Baby Boy Safely Surrendered at Van Nuys Hospital

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the sixth time this year with the report of a safely surrendered newborn baby boy. This most recent safe surrender occurred on September 17, 2013 at a hospital in Van Nuys.

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

This latest Safe Surrender comes as Los Angeles County prepares to launch a new public awareness campaign for the Safe Surrender program next week.

“Our new campaign will expand the program’s outreach to the communities of Los Angeles County by launching in multiple languages, collaborating with community-based organizations and relying on a mix of traditional and grassroots awareness efforts,” said Supervisor Knabe. “Recent events such as the discovery of abandoned baby in South El Monte and the subsequent Safe Surrenders of two newborns are a reminder to us that we have much more work to do to spread the word about the program. The Safe Surrender program was created to give a mother, no matter the situation, a safe, secure and anonymous way to get her child into safe hands—No shame, No blame, No names.”

This is the sixth Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2013, and the 109th since the program began over twelve 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.

To learn more about the Safe Surrender Program, visit http://youtu.be/_EGoPXD23G0.

108th Newborn Safely Surrendered in Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the fifth time this year with the report of a safely surrendered newborn baby girl. This most recent safe surrender occurred on September 6, 2013 at a hospital in Los Angeles.

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

“After last week’s horrific discovery of an abandoned, deceased baby, I’m extremely thankful that this mother, despite her desperate situation, decided to surrender her baby, and give her a second chance at life,” said Supervisor Knabe. “As we prepare to launch a campaign refresh of our Safe Surrender materials later this month, and word continues to spread about the Program, other moms in similar situations can make the right choice for their babies and themselves, because of Safe Surrender.”

This is the fifth Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2013, and the 108th since the program began over twelve 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.

To learn more about the Safe Surrender Program, visit http://youtu.be/_EGoPXD23G0.

Knabe Statement on Abandoned Newborn Found in South El Monte

Following yesterday’s discovery of an abandoned, deceased newborn in South El Monte, Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is reminding residents about the County’s Safe Surrender program.

“Appalling tragedies like what occurred in the South El Monte yesterday are stark reminders to mothers in desperate situations that there is always a choice for their baby,” said Supervisor Knabe. “Sadly, the first newborn abandonment of 2013 comes at a time when we are preparing to launch a campaign refresh of our Safe Surrender materials. The Safe Surrender program was created to give a mother, no matter what the situation, a safe, secure and anonymous way to get her child into safe hands—at any fire station or hospital, any time—and  to protect a baby from abandonment: No shame, No blame, and No names. Though 107 lives have been saved by the Safe Surrender program, yesterday’s disheartening news is proof that we have much more work to do.”

Established by Supervisor Knabe in 2001, the Safe Surrender program allows a parent or legal guardian to confidentially handover an infant, three days old or younger, to any hospital emergency room or fire station in Los Angeles County. As long as the baby has not been abused or neglected, the person may surrender the baby without fear of arrest or prosecution for child abandonment.

Since the program began, 107 babies have been safely surrendered in Los Angeles County, including four this year. The multilingual Safe Surrender Hotline, 1-877-BABY-SAFE, is available 24-hours a day for more information and the location of the nearest Safe Surrender site. Safe Surrender sites can also be found by calling the County helpline at 211 or by visiting www.babysafela.org.

To learn more about the Safe Surrender program, visit http://youtu.be/_EGoPXD23G0.

Knabe, Ridley-Thomas Call for Stronger Penalties for Adults Soliciting Sex From Children

In an unprecedented step in the fight against sex trafficking, Los Angeles County Supervisors Mark Ridley-Thomas and Don Knabe are calling on state legislators to dramatically stiffen penalties for adults convicted of soliciting sex from children.  There have been numerous efforts over the past several years to combat the growing scourge of sex trafficking, but the majority of those efforts at the local and state level have focused either on the pimps who exploit the girls, or on providing treatment and help for the victims. While these efforts are to be applauded, there is a loophole that must be closed with regard to the so-called “Johns” – whose punishment should fit their crime, according to a board motion by Ridley-Thomas and Knabe.

Every day, children – primarily girls – as young as 10 years-old are being coerced and sold into prostitution in Los Angeles County and in counties throughout the state. According to experts in the field, the average life expectancy of these children once they enter the sex trade is seven years, due to the ravages of HIV/Aids and the violence to which they are regularly subjected. The men who solicit sex from children, however, often are not arrested and prosecuted, and even when they are, typically face only a proverbial slap on the wrist. But this is not consensual sex; it is child molestation and rape, and the punishment should fit the crime. Only the state legislature, however, can mandate criminal penalties.

The motion, to be presented Tuesday, authored by Supervisors Ridley-Thomas and Knabe, asks lawmakers to amend the state penal code to make paying for sex a felony, rather than a misdemeanor, if the victim is a minor; requires the “customers” to register as sex offenders, and increases the fine from $1,000 to $10,000. It also calls on law enforcement to refocus its priorities and actively arrest and prosecute these predators.

“I am proud of the work Los Angeles County has done over the past 18 months to bring awareness to the horrific crime of child sex trafficking,” said Knabe.  “However, in addition to doing all we can to protect the young victims, we must aggressively penalize those who solicit girls for sex and ensure they are the ones prosecuted, not the victims.”

In addition, the motion calls on the board to support federal legislation currently under consideration that would strengthen federal laws against child sex trafficking.

Chairman Ridley-Thomas emphasized that all levels of government and law enforcement must work together to protect these children, mainly girls, from being exploited and terrorized. While children cannot legally consent to sex, they are often charged with a prostitution related offense and become enmeshed in the criminal justice system.

“This is not a victimless crime,” said Chairman Ridley-Thomas.  “These are children who are being exploited for the enjoyment of unscrupulous men. It is our duty to stop children from being sexually assaulted. California should have the toughest laws in the nation that are designed to deter “Johns” from sexually exploiting children.”

Knabe Calls for Business Preference Program for Disabled Veterans

Disabled veterans would receive a contracting bid preference with Los Angeles County under a motion made by Supervisor Don Knabe at today’s board meeting.  Citing a need to address the high unemployment rate and economic challenges faced by returning veterans, Knabe called for the development of a program similar to the bid preference the County gives small businesses.

“The County should be a leader in supporting our veterans with service-related disabilities, who have made extraordinary sacrifices on behalf of our country,” said Knabe.  “I am asking that our departments develop a Disabled Veterans Business Enterprise Program, which would provide a bid price preference in County solicitations for the goods and services we purchase.  It is one small, but important, way that we can show our appreciation and provide employment opportunities for our disabled vets.”

The County is required to select the lowest responsible and responsive bid for projects and services.  Local small businesses are currently eligible for a bid price reduction or ‘preference’ on the cost component of their submission.  Knabe’s motion calls for a similar preference for businesses owned by disabled vets.

The motion will be considered by the Board of Supervisors at its next meeting, August 20, 2013.

Several small business programs are administered by the County Office of Small Business which conducts training and workshops for local businesses, as well as certifies small businesses to be eligible for bid preferences and other benefits of the program.  More information is available at Office of Small Business’ website at www.laosb.org  or 855-230-6430.

Baby Boy Safely Surrendered at Pomona Hospital

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the fourth time this year with the report of a safely surrendered newborn baby boy. This most recent safe surrender occurred on August 5, 2013 at a hospital in Pomona.

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

“I’m thankful that this mother, despite her desperate situation, decided to surrender her baby, and give him a second chance at life,” said Supervisor Knabe. “As word continues to spread about the Program, other moms in similar situations can make the right choice for their babies and themselves, because of Safe Surrender.”

This is the fourth Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2013, and the 107th since the program began over twelve 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.

To learn more about the Safe Surrender Program, visit http://youtu.be/_EGoPXD23G0.

L.A. County Releases Second Report on Maternity Hotels

Twenty-four confirmed Maternity Hotels were cited in Los Angeles County, but overall, new complaints from the public about suspected birthing centers have decreased significantly, according to a new quarterly report released last week by the Chief Executive Office of Los Angeles County.

In total, the multi-agency taskforce, consisting of various County departments including Regional Planning and Sheriff’s, as well as Mandarin and Cantonese translators, has inspected 82 locations throughout the County and was able to gain access to 70 properties suspected of operating maternity hotels. Numerous violations were found at these locations including unsafe health conditions, unpermitted room conversions, and properties operating as boarding homes without proper licensing. In the last three months, only three new complaints about suspected maternity hotels were logged.

“The inspections conducted by the taskforce have proven to be a successful deterrent to new maternity hotels setting up in our neighborhoods and communities,” said Supervisor Don Knabe, whose motion created the taskforce and called for an ordinance to regulate maternity hotels in Los Angeles County.

A proposed ordinance to regulate maternity hotels was not recommended at this time because the Department of Regional Planning is still conducting inspections. The Department can still issue notices of violation where maternity hotels are operating illegally because under current County codes, boarding houses are not allowed in a single-family residential zones with more than five persons unrelated to the operator.

To view the second quarterly report on Maternity Hotels in Los Angeles County, visit http://file.lacounty.gov/bc/q3_2013/cms1_197705.pdf

Newborn Baby Girl Safely Surrendered at Huntington Park Hospital

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the third time this year with the report of a safely surrendered newborn baby boy. This most recent safe surrender occurred on June 18, 2013 at a hospital in Huntington Park.

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

“I’m thankful that this mother decided to surrender her baby, rather than put him in a harmful situation,” said Supervisor Knabe. “As word spreads about the Program, mothers in desperate situations can make the right choice for their babies and themselves, because of Safe Surrender.”

This is the third Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2013, and the 106th since the program began over twelve 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.

Los Angeles County Awards Grants to 32 Fourth District Arts Organizations

The Los Angeles County Arts Commission has announced $4,318,000 in two-year grants to 194 nonprofit arts organizations. The current awards represent a $200,000 increase in funding from the previous grant cycle and provide support to ensure arts organizations continue to provide cultural services to the diverse population that comprises Los Angeles County.

Grant amounts range from $3,500 to $214,400. Grantee organizations are spread throughout L.A. County including 32 located in the Fourth District. Over 80 knowledgeable panelists from the arts community, including artists, nonprofit arts administrators and members of the academic community, reviewed and scored the applications.

“Whether it’s a local theatre production or a concert in the park, the arts are an important part of our community,” said Supervisor Knabe. “I am so pleased that in these tough economic times, Los Angeles County is able to support these first-rate organizations so that they can continue exposing the residents of the Fourth District to high-quality art, music and culture.”

2013-14 ORGANIZATIONAL GRANTS FOURTH DISTRICT RECIPIENTS

(Listed in alphabetical order)

• Angels Gate Cultural Center
• Chamber Orchestra of the South Bay
• Culture Shock Los Angeles Dance Troupe
• Downey Symphonic Society Inc.
• Dramatic Results
• Friends of Arts Education at the Cerritos Center
• Impro Theater Los Angeles TheatreSports
• Institute of Art Music and Science
• International City Theatre
• JC Culture Foundation
• Khmer Arts Academy
• Kings and Clowns Inc.
• Long Beach Chorale & Chamber Orchestra Inc.
• Long Beach Community Band
• Long Beach Museum of Art Foundation
• Long Beach Opera
• Long Beach Symphony Association
• Los Cancioneros Master Chorale
• Musical Theatre West
• Pacific Crest Youth Arts Organization
• Precision Dance Company
• Public Corporation for the Arts
• Regina Klenjoski Dance Company
• Ryman Carroll Foundation
• San Pedro City Ballet
• Saturday Night Bath Concert Fund
• Shakespeare by the Sea
• South Bay Ballet
• South Bay Chamber Music Society
• South Coast Dance Arts Alliance
• The Garage Theatre
• Whittier Community Theatre