Issues

2010 Ends With Two Safe Surrenders

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated another success with the report of a safely surrendered newborn, the seventh in 2010.  This most recent safe surrender occurred on New Years Eve at a hospital in Pasadena.  On Christmas Eve a baby was also safely surrendered at Los Angeles Fire Department Station 46, near the Coliseum.  As is standard practice, both babies are in protective custody and will be placed with families approved for adoption by the Department of Children and Family Services.

“What better way to begin a new year than with the hope of life for two newborns,” said Supervisor Knabe. “As word spreads about the Program, a mother in a desperate situation can make the right choice for her baby, because of Safe Surrender.”

The New Years Eve Safe Surrender was the seventh in Los Angeles County in 2010, and the 83rd since the program began nine 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.

FTA Gives Go Ahead on Westside Subway Extension and Regional Connector

Metro Chair Don Knabe announced the great news that the Federal Transit Administration has given formal approval for preliminary engineering work to begin on the Westside Subway Extension and the Regional Connector, moving both projects a step closer to actual construction.

The Regional Connector underground light rail like will connect the metro Gold, Blue and future Expo lines, making it easier for passengers to reach their destinations without having to transfer to a bus or another train.

The notification by the FTA means that federal funding for both projects could be included in next year’s federal budget.  The FTA has also given strong indications that they support Metro’s efforts to build more quickly than originally planned. 

The people of this region have, time and again, shown their desire for public transport options – taxing themselves THREE times in the last three decades, desperate for relief from traffic and smog.  The latest was two years ago with Measure R, which will allow Metro to accelerate its transportation plans through the 30/10 initiative, speeding up execution – and allowing projects to get built faster and at a lower cost. 

Competition for federal rail project grants is extremely competitive.  The FTA’s actions underscore their confidence in Metro’s ability to deliver public transit in LA County, on-time and on-budget. 

For more information, go to http://thesource.metro.net/

Winter Storms Slam Los Angeles County

Update: A small craft advisory warning has been issued for Catalina Island, Palos Verdes, Long Beach, and the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Wind speeds of 21-33 knots are expected to produce hazardous wave conditions to small crafts. Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels should avoid navigating in these conditions.

Winter storms continue to blanket Los Angeles County with heavy rain, wind, mudslides and flash flooding, with the brunt of the storm system expected to hit early Wednesday morning.

Evacuation orders were issued today by the Foothills Unified Incident Command for 147 residences in La Canada Flintridge and 85 residences in La Crescenta due to the possibility of debris flows resulting from forecasted rain storms in the area. Residents are urged to follow the evacuation orders as a safety precaution.

Flooding and damage has been minimal along Los Angeles County beaches and Santa Catalina Island. Some County facilities including parks and courthouses have been affected by the heavy rains which have caused flooding and trees to topple over.

The Department of Public Health has tips on pre-planning for an emergency and cleaning up after disaster strikes in order to best protect one’s health. The storms that have struck this week have already caused evacuations, unfortunate damage to homes, and power outages, underlining the importance for every resident to be prepared.

The 10 Essential Items, as recommended by the Emergency Survival Program in LA County’s Office of Emergency Management, include:

  1. Water
  2. Food
  3. Cash and Important Documents
  4. Clothes
  5. Flashlight
  6. First Aid Kit
  7. Medicine
  8. Radio
  9. Toiletries
  10. Tools

These essential items will help ensure that people have access to basic essentials when other resources may not be available during an emergency. It is also vital that families put together a Communications Plan, such as a pre- planned place to meet and a designated out-of-state contact, in case family members are separated or at work or school when a disaster strikes.

Click here to locate your nearest fire station to obtain free sandbags.

Residents are urged to continue to monitor news broadcasts, or visit the CARE website for further updates as this series of storms approach.

Metro Offers Free Fare for Holidays

Leave the Driving to Metro — To promote a safe holiday season, Metro will offer a special holiday free fare program for all Metro Bus and Metro Rail lines operating on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

The free fare program will be in effect between the hours of 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. on the nights and early mornings hours of December 24-25 and December 31-January 1.

Patrons boarding a Metro Bus, including the Metro Orange Line, or the Metro Red, Purple, Blue, Green or Gold rail lines during the hours designated will receive a free ride to their destination.

Metro is reminding the public that it is an option for people attending holiday parties so they don’t have to drive. Metro’s fleet of more than 2,200 buses, the Metro Orange Line, a dedicated bus transitway in the San Fernando Valley, and Metro Rail lines offer patrons alternatives to driving solo in their vehicles with convenient travel opportunities throughout the region.

The Metro Purple Line operates from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles to Wilshire/Western and the Metro Red Line from Union Station to North Hollywood in the San Fernando Valley via Hollywood. The Metro Blue Line operates from Long Beach to downtown Los Angeles; the Metro Green Line runs between Norwalk and El Segundo, and the Metro Gold Line operates between Pasadena and East Los Angeles.

County Extends Child Abuse Prevention Program

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors today approved extending the Prevention Initiative Demonstration Project (PIDP), following recent studies illustrating the success of the program in preventing child abuse and neglect.

The PIDP was the result of a joint motion by Supervisors Don Knabe and Zev Yaroslavsky in February of 2008 to test a broad spectrum of services that would seek to prevent child abuse by working proactively with at-risk families before they would come to the attention of the child welfare system. A critical element of the project was to focus on addressing the broader root causes within communities that weaken families and impede healthy childhood development – such as social isolation, lack of economic opportunities and a little or no access to municipal services.

“Instead of focusing our efforts on providing services after a crisis occurs, this program – the first of its kind in the nation – has shown that moving our resources into prevention can empower and strengthen at–risk families and keep them out of the system,” said Supervisor Knabe. “Through partnerships with community and faith-based organizations, we are able to proactively build a sense of community which helps families address problems before a crisis occurs.”

PIDP is in its second year of a three year demonstration. In that time, 18,000 people have been touched by the program, of which 13 percent were families involved with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) or were from communities with the most abuse referrals. Analysis of the program, provided by Casey Family Programs, has found it to be very effective in both keeping at-risk families out of the system and strengthening families already involved with DCFS so they do not return or leave oversight more quickly.

Major findings included:

• Proactively engaging families with ‘unfounded’ or ‘inconclusive’ Emergency Response referrals decreased re-referrals

• Providing the types of services PIDP offers to families in the system shortens the amount of time they are involved with DCFS

• Establishing a sense of community, through family visitation centers at churches, Neighborhood Action Councils and community walk-in centers, were the most successful in strengthening at-risk families

County Adopts Recommendations for Raves

The Board of Supervisors today approved 10 recommendations to enhance safety for attendees at electronic music festivals, also known as raves.  The motion, co-authored by Supervisors Don Knabe and Zev Yaroslavsky, was in response to a report from the Department of Public Health (DPH), which has been collaborating with public and private entities to improve security at these events.

In July 2010, the Board approved a motion by Supervisors Knabe and Yaroslavsky to establish a task force to develop procedures to increase safety measures at raves, following the death of a 15 year-old girl who was attending the annual Electric Daisy Carnival last summer.  The DPH, in cooperation with the Department of Health Services, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles Fire Department, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, the Coliseum Commission and event promoters, recently submitted a report with proposals to enhance law enforcement activities and health precautions for these popular events.

The task force’s recommendations included broadening multi-agency planning, imposing an 18-year minimum age requirement for all attendees, enforcing strict alcohol policies, coordinating emergency medical services, and establishing public education programs on the dangers of illicit drug use, in particular, Ecstasy.

“I am pleased that this broad-based task force was able to work together to come up with some solid recommendations on how these festivals can be conducted in a safe and lawful way,” said Supervisor Knabe.  “The most important thing we can do is protect the young people who attend, by enforcing the laws governing these events.  As the recommendations are implemented, we will continue to monitor the situation in conjunction with law enforcement and festival operators.”

Newborn Boy Safely Surrendered at County Fire Station

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 another safely surrendered newborn. This most recent safe surrender occurred at Los Angeles County Fire Station 87, located in the unincorporated area of the City of Industry.

The mother entered the fire station today at 3:00pm and presented the crew with the newborn baby, which was three hours old. 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.

“This case could have ended in tragedy, but because of the Safe Surrender program, this baby boy has a long life ahead of him,” said Supervisor Knabe. “I am happy this mother made the right choice for her baby.”

This is the fifth Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2010, and the 81st since the program began nine 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.

Metro Bus Service Changes to be Implemented

Effective Sunday, December 12, Metro is making bus service changes to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Metro system through better use of resources. Four local lines are set to be discontinued and five Metro Rapid lines will be canceled with service reallocated to limited and local service operating along those corridors. In addition some Saturday and Sunday service will be canceled with some of the service being augmented by local service on the weekends.

The bus service changes are being made to reduce unproductive service, reduce duplication of service along key travel corridors and to rightsize the Metro Rapid Corridor service. Metro staff looked at several Metro Rapid corridors where the average passengers trip length on the service were not much longer or faster than the local service currently being provided. For these specific corridors, Metro Rapid service (Lines 711, 714, 715, 753 & 920) will be discontinued and replaced with additional trips on the Local/Limited service (Lines 311, 14, 115, 53 & 720) as warranted to meet demand.
Below is a complete list of the Metro Bus service changes to be implemented on Sunday, December 12.

42/42A–LAX City Bus Center to Downtown LA/Union Station via La Tijera Bl, Stocker St, ML King Bl. Operate as a branch of Line 40 (refer to Line 40 timetable). Line 42A via La Cienega Bl operates evenings/nights only.

68/287– Monterey Park via Cesar E Chavez Av/El Monte-Indiana Gold Line Station via Garvey Ave. Discontinue Line 287 service between The Shops at Montebello & Indiana Gold Line Station. Extend selected trips on Line 68 to replace service between Atlantic Bl & The Shops at Montebello.

71–Los Angeles – Cal State LA via Wabash Av & City Terrace Dr. Discontinue portion of route to Outpatient Clinic behind the hospital. Route will serve hospital on Marengo Ave. only.

121– Imperial/Wilmington Station-Whitwood Mall via Imperial Hwy, Telegraph Rd & Santa Gertrudes Ave. Operate as a branch of Line 120 (refer to Line 120 timetable).

165– West Hills-Burbank Station via Vanowen St. Discontinue route deviation from Empire Av to Thornton Av & Hollywood Wy near Bob Hope Airport. Service will remain on Empire Av.

168– Chatsworth Station- via Lassen St & Paxton St. Discontinue service. Alternate service available on Lines 158, 167 and a portion of Lines 233, 761 and 902.

177– La Canada-Sierra Madre Villa Gold Line Station via 1-210 & California Bl & Walnut St.
Retain AM and PM peak hour service only and reduce the number of trips.

202– Willowbrook-Compton-Wilmington. Reduce service to every 60 minutes between Willowbrook through Compton to Wilmington.

206– Athens-Hollywood via Normandie Ave. Change turnaround loop in Hollywood. Board southbound buses on Vermont Av at Sunset Bl facing north or on westbound Hollywood Bl at New Hampshire Ave.

214– Artesia Transit Center-Broadway/Main St Loop-Harbor Freeway Station.
Discontinue service. Alternate service provided on Lines 45, 52 and Torrance Transit 1.

220– Beverly Center-Culver City via Robertson Bl. Discontinue Saturday service. Alternative service provided on Line 105 and Big Blue Bus 12.

212/312– Hawthorne-Hollywood via La Brea Av Local/Limited. Operate Line 312 limited stop service in peak hours only, northbound in the AM and southbound in the PM (discontinue midday limited stop service).

256– Commerce – Altadena via Eastern Av & Hill Ave. Modify route at Hill Av & Washington Bl. Route travels via Washington Bl & Lake Av to current terminal at Lake Av & Mendocino St. Discontinue segment north of Washington Bl on Hill Av, Holliston Av and Mendocino St.

311– LAX City Bus Center-Norwalk Green Line Station via Florence Ave. New limited stop service replaces discontinued Line 711.

439– Culver City Transit Center/Fox Hills-Downtown LA/Union Station via La Cienega & Santa Monica Fwy. Retain weekday AM and PM peak period service only and operate all trips via Green Valley Circle. Discontinue segment on Sepulveda Bl south of Culver City Transit Center/Fox Hills Mall. Service on Sepulveda Bl provided by Culver City Line 6 and Rapid 6.

607– Inglewood-Windsor Hills-Inglewood. Discontinue counter clockwise service, maintain clockwise service.

608– Crenshaw Connection. Discontinue service.

620– Boyle Heights via Cesar Chavez Av & State St. Reduce service to 60-minute frequency.

625/626– Green Line-World Way West via Imperial Hwy (625), LAX City Bus Center-Green Line (626). Discontinue Line 626 and extend select Line 625 trips to Superior Court.

711– Inglewood TC-Bell Gardens via Florence Ave. Discontinue service and replace with enhancements to Line 111 service and with a new Line 311 limited stop service.

714– Downtown LA-Beverly Hills via Beverly Bl. Discontinue service and replace with enhancements to Line 14 service.

715– LAX City Bus Center-Downey via Manchester Av, Firestone Bl. Discontinue service and replace with enhancements to Line 115 service.

750– Warner Center Transit Hub-Universal City Station via Ventura Bl. Discontinue weekend service and replace with enhancements to Line 150 service.

753– Downtown LA-Imperial/Wilmington Station via Central Ave. Discontinue service and replace with enhancements to Line 53 service.

762– Pasadena-Artesia Blue Line Station via Fair Oaks Av & Atlantic Bl. Discontinue Saturday service and replace with enhancements to Line 260 service.

780–Pasadena-Washington/Fairfax Transit Hub via Colorado Bl & Hollywood Bl & Fairfax Ave.
Discontinue weekend service and replace with enhancements to Line 180 service.

920– Wilshire Rapid Express. Discontinue service and replace with enhancements to Line 720 service.

In addition, minor changes will be made to all other bus schedules with the exception of Lines 125, 128, 265, 442 and 450. Please check for revised timetables on metro.net, or on board buses. For specific bus route information call 323.GO.METRO, (323) 466-3876.

Knabe to Keynote Annual State of Los Angeles County Event

Supervisor Don Knabe will be addressing the state of Los Angeles County and the Fourth District at a luncheon at the Long Beach Convention Center on Wednesday December 8, 2010 at 12:00pm, hosted by the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

In his fourth annual address, Supervisor Knabe will speak about the impact of the current economic situation on the County, and programs and projects he is launching to bring jobs to the region. As Chair of Metro, he will also provide a status update on transport projects underway across Los Angeles.

Constituents can view a live streaming broadcast of the “State of the County” address through Facebook by going to http://www.facebook.com/supervisorknabe and clicking the play button. Utilizing this feature will allow anyone to view the broadcast as well as allow them to chat with other viewers about the topics addressed in the Supervisor’s speech.

County employees interested in viewing the broadcast can watch it by visiting http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ask-don-live1.

Any organization wishing to simulcast Supervisor Knabe’s address can embed the video stream from the link as well.

County Votes to Ban Medical Marijuana in Unincorporated Areas

Yesterday, the Board of Supervisors approved a ban on Medical Marijuana dispensaries in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.

“While this Board originally tried to be fair and adopt a very strict medical marijuana dispensary ordinance, we have unfortunately seen an increased number of illegal operations,” said Supervisor Don Knabe.  “This is not what voters thought they were voting for, nor the Board’s intentions when we originally modified our zoning in 2006.  There have been too many incidents of dispensaries being unlawfully opened adjacent to schools and libraries and other locations frequented by children. Many communities are rightfully concerned about the abuses of the system and the resulting increases in crime.  While many people have legitimate health concerns, we should be thoughtful and cautious about the way we handle marijuana and it should be dispensed from a pharmacy, rather than from store-front operations.”

The ban was passed with a 4-1 vote and is scheduled to be formally adopted on December 7th.  If adopted, the ordinance would go into effect 30 days later.