Issues

Newborn Safely Surrendered In Downey

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce that a baby boy was safely surrendered at a hospital in the City of Downey last week.

The newborn Hispanic male was surrendered at the emergency room of Downey Regional Medical Center on Saturday, October 27 and is reported to be in good health. As is standard practice, the baby boy is in protective custody and will eventually be placed with a family approved for adoption by the Department of Children and Family Services.

I want to thank this newborn’s mother for doing the right thing, said Knabe. We have a law on the books to protect babies from abandonment and give the mother a safe, secure and anonymous way to get her child into safe hands.

This is the fifteenth Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2007 and the sixty second Safe Surrender since the program began six 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 Waives Park Fees For Veterans, Military Personnel And Their Families

In honor of Veterans Day, admission fees for the County Arboreta and Botanical Gardens are being waived as well as vehicle entrance fees to regional park facilities from November 9 through November 16, 2007. The motion, introduced by Supervisor Don Knabe, was unanimously approved today by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

As Veterans Day approaches, it is important that we recognize the many contributions that Veterans have made for our great County over the years, said Supervisor Knabe. We owe them many freedoms that we have today and they truly deserve the honor and respect of their fellow Americans.

All Veterans, military personnel and their immediate families are invited to visit the following Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation facilities from November 9 through November 16, 2007:

Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park

120 Via Verde Drive

San Dimas

(909) 599-8411

Castaic Lake Recreation Area

32132 Castaic Lake Drive

Castaic

(661) 257-4050

Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area

4100 North La Cienega Boulevard

Los Angeles

(323) 298-3660

Santa Fe Dam Regional Park

15501 East Arrow Highway

Irwindale

(626) 334-1065

Schabarum Park

17250 East Colima Road

Rowland Heights

(626) 854-5560

Whittier Narrows Regional Recreation Area

750 South Santa Anita Avenue

South El Monte

(626) 575-5526

Arboretum of Los Angeles County

301 North Baldwin Avenue

Arcadia

(626) 821-3212

Descanso Gardens

1418 Descanso Drive

La Canada Flintridge

(818) 952-4400

South Coast Botanic Garden

26300 Crenshaw Boulevard

Palos Verdes Peninsula

(310) 544-6815

Virginia Robinson Gardens

(310) 276-5367

By appointment only

Knabe Hosts Workshop For Service Providers Seeking County Mental Health Funding

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe and the Department of Mental Health are conducting a workshop on October 31, 2007 to address funding opportunities that are available to community public social service providers through the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). The workshop will also serve as a forum to address the MHSA’s progress in Los Angeles County and future funding opportunities.

The workshop will address the following topics: a brief overview of the MHSA including how much funding is available, how local funding priorities will be determined, helpful hints to submitting a successful proposal, and the benefits of forming a collaboration with other service providers present. The workshop also includes an introduction of key players who are available to help you, an opportunity to have each key player respond to any questions you may have, a chance to meet potential partners in an informal environment.

The workshop will take place on Wednesday, October 31, 2007 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at The Grand in Long Beach. The Grand is located at 4101 East Willow Street in Long Beach. If you plan on attending you must RSVP by October 22, 2007 with Destiny Walker at (213) 738-4607 or dwalker@dmh.lacounty.gov

Safe Surrender Protected By Governor’s Veto For Second Consecutive Year

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe offered his thanks to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today for vetoing a bill that would have placed the success of the statewide Safe Haven Law in

jeopardy.

Under the proposed legislation, Assembly Bill 81, the Safe Haven window would have been extended to seven days from its current 72 hours. Currently, the program allows mothers of unwanted newborns to surrender their babies at Safe Surrender sites, such as Fire Stations and Hospitals, up to 3 days after the child’s birth. The person who surrenders the newborn is protected from prosecution, No Shame, No Blame and No Names.

This is the second consecutive year the Governor has vetoed similar legislation. A similar version in last year’s legislative session proposed extending the window from 72 hours to 30 days.

"While on the surface it may seem that a longer surrender window is better for newborns, extensive research and statistics show the danger zone for these babies is within the first hours of life. Extending the window from 72 hours to seven days could have created serious medical issues" said Supervisor Knabe, who championed the formation of Safe Surrender, the Los Angeles County version of the Safe Haven Program, over six years ago.

"Access to quality medical care in the first hours of life is an absolutely critical component that could have been placed in jeopardy had this legislation gone through," said Knabe. "Many infants who are safely surrendered have received no prenatal care or medical care at all – services that are critical for these newborns to receive in the first hours after birth. That is a risk we simply cannot afford and we appreciate the Governor’s veto."

Los Angeles County has been at the forefront of implementing the Safe Haven Law. Since its enactment in 2001, 61 babies have been safely surrendered in Los Angeles County.

Newborn Safely Surrendered To Los Angeles fire Department In Boyle Heights

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce that a baby boy was safely surrendered in the City of Los Angeles last week.

The newborn Hispanic male was surrendered at a Los Angeles City Fire Station in Boyle Heights on Monday, October 1 and is reported to be in good health. As is standard practice, the baby boy is in protective custody and will eventually be placed with a family approved for adoption by the Department of Children and Family Services.

I want to thank this newborn’s mother for doing the right thing, said Knabe. We have a law on the books to protect babies from abandonment and give the mother a safe, secure and anonymous way to get her child into safe hands.

This is the fourteenth Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2007 and the sixty-first Safe Surrender since the program began six 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.

Buckboard Day Festival Returns To Rowland Heights

The 37th Annual Buckboard Day Family Festival is coming back to Rowland Heights Park on Saturday, October 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The popular event is sponsored by Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe and the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation.

In addition to live music, this year’s Festival will also include a Jr. High School Battle of the Bands, Buffalo Soldiers, Hay Rides, a Petting Zoo, and much more. Food and beverages are also available for sale during the Festival. The theme this year is, "Creating Community Through People.

Non-profit organizations from throughout the community are invited to participate by sponsoring an information, craft, food, or game booth. There is no charge for participating, but space is limited so be sure to reserve yours today.

Rowland Heights Park is located at 1500 South Banida Avenue in Rowland Heights. For additional information call (626) 912-6774.

County Provides Free Used Oil Recycling Centers

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works has teamed up with Corporate Sponsors Jiffy Lube, Kragen Auto Parts, and KFWB News Radio to educate Do-It-Yourself auto mechanics about the importance of recycling Used Motor oil and oil filters. In addition to the education campaign, Public Works and its co-sponsors are providing KFWB Team Blue free used motor oil and oil filter recycling collections events throughout Los Angeles County.

Team Blue used motor oil collection events will be available at participating Kragen Auto Parts Stores. Early arriving participants bringing used motor oil and oil filters to Team Blue events at Kragen Auto Parts will receive gift certificates, Kragen T-shirts, free oil filters, or other prizes while supplies last.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Used Oil Management Program, used motor oil is insoluble, persistent and can contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals. It’s slow to degrade, and it sticks to everything from beach sand to bird feathers. Used oil is a major source of oil contamination of waterways and can result in pollution of drinking water sources.

Public Works urges recyclers to take advantage of this program. Funding for this education campaign has been provided by the California Integrated Waste Management Board. The following is a list of Kragen Auto Parts store locations and event dates. All events will occur between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Kragen Auto Parts

10/19 Long Beach – 5151 Atlantic Avenue

10/20 La Crescenta – 2605 Foothill Boulevard

10/22 Alhambra – 800 East Valley Boulevard

10/24 Alta Dena – 737 East Altadena Drive

10/29 Arcadia – 37 Las Tunas Drive

11/3 Hacienda Heights – 15840 East Gale Avenue

11/10 Pasadena – 1860 East Colorado Boulevard

11/17 San Gabriel – 965 East Las Tunas Drive

11/24 Burbank – 677 North Victoria Boulevard

11/25 Torrance – 4900 190th Street

New Avalon Lifeguard and Paramedic Headquarters Funding Approved By County

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has approved a $3.897 million project to construct a state-of-the-art lifeguard and paramedic headquarters building in the City of Avalon on Catalina Island. Of the $3.897 million budget, $2.915 will be used for actual construction costs, while the remaining funds will be used for project management costs, furnishing and equipping the building, and a public art project for the exterior of the building.

The proposed project is a two-story, 7,005 square foot lifeguard/paramedic station which consists of a two-bay garage for housing a paramedic truck, a utility vehicle and watercraft trailers; an office with storage rooms; a reception area, with a public restroom.

The Avalon Lifeguard facility will also have one unique feature among all of the County’s similar buildings. This will be the first to include dormitory space for workers, which will consist of a living room, kitchen, dining room and bedroom space for up to eight people. County lifeguards on Catalina Island are on-call for 24-hour periods, meaning that anyone stationed in Avalon must secure housing in the City’s limited and expensive housing market. With the new building, lifeguards will be able to complete their shifts without having to acquire housing off-site.

The new building will be constructed on a parcel of land adjacent to City Hall that was donated to the County by the City of Avalon. Construction is scheduled to be completed by January 31, 2009.

Knabe Provides $2.5 Million For The Renovation And Expansion Of The San Pedro Service Center

To ensure that the San Pedro Service Center remains a great community resource, Supervisor Knabe recently allocated $2.5 million to be used for the renovation and expansion of the San Pedro facility.

The facility, which opened its doors in 1972, has continued to expand its services over the years, while receiving few upgrades. In an effort to improve the condition of the 35-year old facility, Supervisor Knabe worked closely with many of the groups that use the Center. The studies revealed that the Service Center has simply outgrown its current configuration and will require substantial modifications due to the shortage of space and the overall condition of the building.

With the Supervisor’s funding commitment for the project now in place, the County will begin to study how to best expand the heavily-used facility. The top priorities for the remodel and expansion include: additional rooms for senior programs, more childcare classrooms, and meeting space for local community groups. The funding for the project came from Supervisor Knabe’s Fourth District capital project account.

The San Pedro Service Center is a vital community resource, said Supervisor Knabe. I want to ensure that the Service Center, which has served the San Pedro community so well, remains a great resource for the community for another 35 years and beyond.

The San Pedro Service Center is located at 769 West Third Street in San Pedro. The Center currently provides a wide array of services to the community, ranging from a senior meals program, child care services, computer and citizenship classes, food pantry, toy loan center, and more.

Governor Approves Knabe Plan to Slow Jail Early Release Program

A policy idea first proposed by Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe last year, that would increase the electronic monitoring of convicted felons, has now been signed into statewide law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The Bill, signed by the Governor yesterday, could allow thousands of inmates sentenced for minor, non-violent crimes to be shifted out of County jail beds and into electronic monitoring instead. This would allow the additional jail beds to be used to ensure violent criminals serve longer portions of their sentences, a problem that now exists under the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Early Release Program.

The idea for increased use of electronic monitoring was presented by Supervisor Knabe to the Board of Supervisors in July 2006. After the Board approved making Knabe’s plan a legislative priority, an author for the Bill was successfully sought in State Senator Gloria Romero (D-Los Angeles).

Under the old state law, many convicted criminals were allowed to choose between a jail sentence and electronic monitoring. Many criminals chose jail time instead of the electronic monitoring option because they knew that under the current statistics of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Early Release Program, if they enter the County jail system, they will likely only serve 10-percent of the time they were actually sentenced with, as opposed to serving 100-percent of their sentence on electronic monitoring.

Supervisor Knabe’s proposal asked the Governor and legislators to revise the State law to ensure that the decision between electronic monitoring and a jail term is left to the law enforcement community and not in the hands of lawbreakers. Under the new law, electronic monitoring will become mandatory for certain non-violent offenders, and as a result, it will free up much-needed beds in County jails for the very worst offenders, who need to remain behind bars for more than just a fraction of their sentences.

If a criminal receives a 30-day sentence, then why would they agree to be electronically monitored that entire time if they know the loopholes of early release mean a 30-day sentence translates into only a few days behind bars, said Supervisor Knabe. The choice between the two should not be an option in the hands of convicted criminals. Criminals should not get to choose their punishment simply because one takes less time to complete. Length of punishment belongs in the hands of our judges and when a judge imposes a sentence, that sentence needs to stick.

Ultimately, we need additional jail beds to ensure that every criminal serves every day he is sentenced to, but until that day comes, this new Bill will ensure that the very worst offenders will remain behind bars and that the electronic monitoring option will be used only for non violent criminals. I applaud Governor Schwarzenegger, Senator Romero, and all the legislators who supported this important Bill.

Up to 2,000 inmates in the Los Angeles County jail system will be placed into electronic monitoring through the use of ankle bracelets. As of this week, there are only 413 offenders on electronic monitoring.