Issues

Knabe Statement on Measure R Extension

At today’s Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) meeting, the Board of Directors approved requesting that Los Angeles County put an ordinance on the November 6, 2012 ballot which would extend the Measure R sales tax.  Originally passed by the voters in 2008, this ordinance would extend the one-half cent sales tax for an additional 30-years.  Supervisor Knabe, who voted against extending the sales tax, issued the following statement:

“While the vision that is driving the current effort to make the Measure R sales tax permanent is well-intentioned, it is disingenuous to the voters to give a blank check to the MTA.  The sales tax currently does not expire until 2039, so there is no reason to extend it unless we want to spend the next generation’s money today.

Measure R was the MTA’s promise to the voters, in all 88 cities and the County of Los Angeles, that transit and highway projects would be delivered on time and within budget over 30 years.  Now, only four years later, the MTA is looking to revise that promise because their financial assumptions underlying Measure R are not being realized as originally planned, and additional sources of funding are needed to deliver these same projects.

While the people of Los Angeles County are desperate for congestion relief, I cannot support asking for yet another commitment from future generations, especially when there are no guarantees that the additional funding will go toward implementing a fair and balanced transportation program in Los Angeles County.  Let’s show the voters that we can live up to their expectations before we make promises we cannot keep.”

In the Spotlight

Los Angeles County has created a set of protocols for law enforcement and front-line staff to follow when they come into contact with a suspected victim of child sex trafficking. With our intervention, these girls will receive much needed support, mentoring and other wraparound services to help empower them to escape the streets and walk the path to a bright future. Visit Don’s Blog for More

Board of Supervisors Supports CASE Act to Fight Child Sex Trafficking

On a motion from Supervisor Don Knabe, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors today voted unanimously to support the Californians Against Sexual Exploitation (CASE) Act which would strengthen penalties against human traffickers and protect sexually exploited children.  The Board also urged all voters in Los Angeles County and throughout the State to vote in favor of the CASE Act in the November 2012 statewide election.

If enacted into law, the CASE Act would be the toughest human trafficking law in the country.  It 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.

“Communities through the United States are facing the horrific reality of child sex trafficking occurring right here on our streets and in our neighborhoods.  It is not a problem ‘over there,’” said Knabe.  “Sadly, Los Angeles County is recognized as one of the major hubs for this criminal activity.  The average age of a victim that is sexually trafficked is between 12 and 14 years of age.

I want Los Angeles County to be a national leader in fighting this heinous crime and protecting our vulnerable youth.  Earlier this year, I asked the County’s Probation Department to implement a program that will give the girls who come into our system a chance to heal and an opportunity for a new life.  But we must also deal with the real criminals here – the pimps who forcibly coerce and manipulate young girls into selling their bodies for their financial benefit.  The CASE Act would be a major step forward in enacting tougher penalties and putting an end to the physical and mental abuse of these young girls.”

Knabe Urges the County to Stop Sending Mail to Itself

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe today put forth a motion to address federal regulations requiring the County’s Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) to send mail to itself.  Under the federal guidelines, DPSS must send paper mail to all those who receive General Relief or food stamps.

Some program participants use a DPSS District Office address to receive their mail because they are homeless.  As a result, it is estimated that DPSS mails over one million pieces of U.S. mail to itself each year, and stores the mail until the participant comes to the DPSS office to pick it up.

“The County has unprecedented demands on our programs due to the ongoing economic situation, so we must ensure that we are using our limited resources for the people and services who need them most,” said Supervisor Knabe. “Sending mail to ourselves clearly does not meet the standard of using resources wisely.  While the regulation may be well-intentioned, we need more flexibility at the federal level.   I’ve also asked the department to look at a better way of ensuring that participants receive their mail in a more timely and cost-effective manner.”

The large volume of mail received by DPSS offices for homeless participants creates a costly and inefficient burden for DPSS and hinders its daily operations. Participants often fail to come to the DPSS office to pick up their mail and when they do, the workload involved in staff having to search through the thousands of pieces of mail results in long wait times for the both the participant waiting for his/her mail and other participants waiting to be served.

Knabe Reminds Residents About County’s Safe Surrender Program

Following last night’s attempted abandonment of a newborn baby in Long Beach, Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is reminding residents about the County’s Safe Surrender program.

“Incidents like what occurred in Long Beach are a reminder to Mothers that there is always an option for their baby,” said Supervisor Knabe. “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 and to protect a baby from abandonment: No shame, No blame, and No names. I am very happy to hear that the infant is safe and has a second chance at life and hope for a bright future.”

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, 91 babies have been safely surrendered in Los Angeles County, including two in 2012. 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.

Knabe Calls For Clarification of Beach Ball Ordinance

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe directed the Department of Beaches and Harbors to re-write the section of the County’s recently adopted beach ordinance to clarify the section on ball and Frisbee playing at the beach.

“While the intent of the updated beach ordinance was to remove limitations on ball-playing, people interpreted it as the exact opposite – a full restriction on beach activities,” said Supervisor Knabe.  “I appreciate the Director of Beaches and Harbors clarifying the ordinance at our meeting today,  but I am concerned that a misunderstanding will continue.  We must do a better job of creating clear communications to minimize confusion like we had on this one when incorrect information went viral.”

Supervisor Knabe is directing the Director of Beaches and Harbors to rewrite the ordinance in a manner that clearly states that such activities by small groups and individuals are allowed on the County beach, unless directed otherwise by the County Lifeguard or other designees to protect public safety and enjoyment of the beach.

Secondhand Retail Stores Receive Boost in Unincorporated Los Angeles County

County code will be revised to make it easier to establish a secondhand retail store in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County thanks to a motion at today’s Board of Supervisors meeting by Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe. Title 22 of the County Code currently limits sales of all secondhand consumer products as a permitted use and classifies secondhand retail stores in the same category as used car lots and pawn shops, which significantly impact the surrounding neighborhoods.

“Many of these retail stores are run by charitable organizations, such as the Salvation Army, and are looking to provide job training and social services to the residents in the community,” said Supervisor Knabe. “Now, more than ever, our residents need access to these stores for clothes and other goods while the economy continues to sputter.”

Supervisor Knabe’s motion instructs the Department of Regional Planning to revise the County zoning code to allow secondhand retail stores in the neighborhood business zone subject to an administrative review or discretionary permit, depending if the facility is proposing drop-off collection or outdoor storage areas.

“These proposed zoning revisions will also make Los Angeles County greener,” said Knabe. “As more used goods are sold in secondhand retail stores, fewer items will be discarded in the County’s landfills.”

The Regional Planning Commission will hold a public hearing prior to September 30, 2012 and recommend revisions to the Board to consider.

Knabe Calls For Human Sex Trafficking Public Outreach on Metro Buses, Trains

Metro will launch a campaign to increase public awareness of human sex-trafficking in Los Angeles County, thanks to a motion by Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe that was unanimously approved at today’s Metro Board meeting. Metro will post information about sexually-trafficked youth on Metro buses, rail cars, trains, at stations and on its website.

Over the past several years Los Angeles County has seen a significant increase in the number of sexually trafficked youth. Minors, some as young as 12 years old, are forcibly coerced and manipulated by adults and are enslaved and sexually exploited for commercial gain.

“Every day in Los Angeles County, children are transported on Metro buses and trains and we have an opportunity to make the public aware that some kids may be there against their will and a victim of human sex trafficking,” said Supervisor Knabe.

Supervisor Knabe’s motion directs Metro to develop and implement the public awareness campaign, and report back in February and March with updates on its progress.

“Posting information on Metro buses, trains, at stations, and on Metro’s website, will shine a light on this travesty in the places it can be most likely to occur,” said Supervisor Knabe. “We must do our part to help bring those individuals responsible for the abuse and exploitation of children to justice.”

ESPN Teams Up To Keep Los Angeles County Clean

Leaked from cars and trucks or dumped illegally into storm drains, motor oil can be a troublesome source of storm water pollution. To encourage Los Angeles County residents to dispose of their used motor oil for free at local Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection events, the County of Los Angeles and ESPN LA have joined forces and formed “Team Clean LA.”

Starting now, and continuing every Saturday throughout the month of February, Los Angeles County residents can enter to win a VIP night, complete with limousine service, dinner for two at L.A. Live and tickets to a basketball game at Staples Center, home of the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers. To enter the Team Clean LA sweepstakes, residents will need to bring their used oil products to one of the following HHW collection events. The events are held, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 1/28/12 – City of Hermosa Beach, Clark Stadium
Valley Drive between 8th and 11th Streets Hermosa Beach 90806

2/4/12 –   City of Claremont, Claremont Corporate Yard
1616 Monte Vista Avenue, Claremont 91711

2/11/12 – City of Gardena, Hitco Carbon Composites
1551 West 139th Street, Gardena 90249

2/18/12 – City of Diamond Bar, Gateway Corporate Center
1300 Block of Bridge Gate Drive Diamond Bar 91765

2/25/12 – Marina Del Rey
Dock 52 Parking Lot, Fiji Way Marina Del Rey 90292

County residents can also dispose of other toxic automotive and household products, including brake fluid, paint and paint thinner, household cleansers, pesticides, herbicides, batteries, pool chemicals, oil filters, expired medication, antifreeze, fluorescent light bulbs and sharps (syringes and needles). Household electronic waste, known as e-Waste, is also welcome.

For more information on future HHW Collection events, visit www.cleanla.com, follow us on Twitter @CleanLA, or call (888) Clean LA.

Newborn Girl Safely Surrendered at Los Angeles Fire Station

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the second time in less than a week with the report of a safely surrendered newborn. This most recent safe surrender occurred on January 15, 2012 at Los Angeles Fire Department Fire Station 68.

The mother surrendered her baby girl at the fire station at approximately 12:45 a.m., and the baby was brought to Cedars Sinai Medical Center. As is standard practice, the baby girl is in protective custody and will be placed with a family approved for adoption by the Department of Children and Family Services.

“I am very happy that we can celebrate the safe surrender of a newborn baby for the second time this week,” said Supervisor Knabe. “As word of the program spreads, mothers in desperate situations realize that there is a safe, secure and anonymous way to get a baby into safe hands, rather than abandonment or worse. Thanks to the Safe Surrender program, this baby girl has a second chance at life and hope for a bright future.”

This is the second Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2012, and the 90th since the program began 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.