Issues

Knabe, State Leaders to Declare War on Child Sex Trafficking; Launch New Public Awareness Campaign

State leaders will join Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chairman Don Knabe to discuss a “War on Child Sex Trafficking” package of state legislation that will target sex buyers. Earlier today, the Board unanimously voted to support the legislative package that includes longer jail time for sex buyers, adding human trafficking to a list of gang-related activities, allowing wiretapping to be used in sex trafficking cases, and streamlining a victim’s testimony against her exploiter.

Supervisor Knabe will also announce the launch of a new public awareness campaign that will appear on Metro buses and trains, and on billboards provided by Clear Channel Outdoor.

WHO:

  • Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chairman Don Knabe
  • State Senator Ted Lieu, D-Torrance
  • State Senator Bob Huff, R-Diamond Bar; Senate Minority Leader
  • Daphne Phung, California Against Slavery
  • Jessica, Survivor-Leader
  • Layne Lawson, Clear Channel Outdoor

WHAT:

Supervisor Knabe will announce Los Angeles County’s support of a “War on Child Sex Trafficking” package of legislation to strengthen penalties for buyers and sellers of minors for sex.  He will also unveil a new public awareness campaign.

WHEN:

Friday, April 11, 2014 at 9:30am

WHERE:

Front Steps of the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
500 West Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

* This public service campaign originated as ProtectOaklandKids, a collaborative effort of the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, MISSSEY, Clear Channel Outdoor and the original design team of Suzanne Boutilier, Genice Jacobs and Jed Davis.   Photo credit: Tom Page.  © 2014 Alameda County District Attorney’s Office.

Knabe Announces $45 Million in Fourth District Library Projects

Last year at my annual State of the County address, I announced that we will be spending $45 million on upgrading county libraries in my district. Forty-five million dollars! Some of the facilities we have now just don’t cut it.

Some people may think, “What do we need libraries for? No one reads a printed book anymore.” Well it’s a lot like what I said before about newspapers. Libraries have evolved. Across the county, our libraries are more popular than ever!

In the last three years, libraries in my district alone have seen more than 8 million people pass through their doors. More than 9 million books, videos and other library materials have been checked out. Planning is underway and I expect construction on the facilities to be completed by the time I leave office.

Stay tuned to Knabe.com for updates on all our “Operation Libraries” projects.

Baby Boy 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 third time this year with the report of a safely surrendered newborn baby boy. This most recent safe surrender occurred on March 1, 2014 at a fire station 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.

“Thanks to the Safe Surrender program, this baby boy has a second chance at life,” said Supervisor Knabe. “What could have been a tragic situation is instead a decision that allows this child the chance to be part of a loving family.  As word continues to spread about the Program, desperate mothers in similar 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 2014, and the 116th since the program began nearly 13 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 BabySafeLA.org.

Knabe Leads Bipartisan Effort to Combat Child Sex Trafficking

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chairman Don Knabe joined a bipartisan panel of lawmakers in Sacramento today to demand harsher penalties for people who buy, sell and exploit young girls for sex.

Joining Knabe were State Senators Ted Lieu, Holly Mitchell, Bob Huff, Jerry Hill, Marty Block and Assemblymember Susan Eggman, as well as Daphne Phung, Founder of California Against Slavery and Nola Brantley, Executive Director and Co-Founder of MISSSEY, which provides services to sexually exploited youth in Alameda County.

Knabe called on state legislators to develop a plan to increase penalties on those convicted of promoting or participating in the sexual trafficking of minors.  Knabe said:

“I am so pleased to be here today – with a bipartisan group of State Senators – who share that same goal of increasing the penalties for those who are guilty of this horrific crime.

What happens now is absolutely outrageous:  we basically arrest for prostitution 14-year-old girls who are being raped , and let the scumbags who buy and sell them get off with a slap on the wrist.  That is wrong and we must do something about it.

I appreciate the support of my State colleagues on this issue.  In all my years in government I don’t think I’ve seen an issue that is so horrific, happening right here in streets across California.  I look forward to working with my State colleagues to protect our most vulnerable, focus on the true victims and bring justice for those who need us most.

Together we will say: ‘No more.  Not in our streets.  Not to our young girls.’”

Knabe to Launch Bipartisan Effort to Combat Child Sex Trafficking

A bipartisan panel of state lawmakers will join Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chairman Don Knabe tomorrow in Sacramento to review possible reforms to better protect children from sexual exploitation and slavery.

WHO: Senators Ted Lieu, D-Torrance; Holly Mitchell, D-Los Angeles; Bob Huff, R-Diamond Bar; Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo; and Marty Block, D-San Diego, will be joined by Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chairman Don Knabe; and Daphne Phung of California Against Slavery, a human rights group dedicated to protecting the victims of sexual trafficking, especially minors. Also expected are Nola Brantley, executive director and co-founder of MISSSEY (which stands for motivating, inspiring, supporting and serving sexually exploited youth); and sex trafficking survivors.

WHAT: Speakers will review goals and planned state legislation to strengthen penalties for buying and selling minors for sex.

WHEN: 10:00 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 6.

WHERE: State Capitol, Room 1190. Note: Room 3191 will be the backup location should Room 1190 become unavailable.

WHY: Every day, children – primarily girls – as young as 10 are being manipulated and sold into prostitution in Los Angeles County and in counties statewide. The pimps and johns who buy and sell children for sex, however, often are not arrested and prosecuted. Even when they are, they typically face minimal penalties. This is not consensual sex; it is child molestation and rape, and the punishment should fit the crime.
To learn more about Los Angeles County’s efforts to combat child sex trafficking, visit Knabe.com

L.A. County Board of Supervisors Appoints Orange County Undersheriff John Scott as Interim Los Angeles County Sheriff

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has appointed current Orange County Undersheriff John Scott as interim Sheriff of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Scott will assume command of the Department following Sheriff Leroy Baca’s retirement, effective January 30, 2014.

Scott has over 40 years of experience in law enforcement, and began his career with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in 1969. During his tenure with the department, Scott rose through the ranks from Deputy to Acting Chief, where he was responsible for the Custody Operations Division. Following his retirement from the Department, Scott was brought into the Orange County Sheriff’s Department by Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens in 2008 to serve as Undersheriff.

Board Chairman Don Knabe issued the statement below following the Board’s selection:

“The Sheriff’s Department is at a crossroads, and John has the necessary experience and skills to step in right away and lead in the interim.  During his over 40 years in law enforcement, John has served in capacities across the board, from operating the County’s jails to patrolling unincorporated communities.  This wide range of experience will allow John to continue our efforts to aggressively implement recommendations made by the Citizens’ Commission on Jail Violence, while maintaining the great work of the thousands of men and women who keep our communities safe.  During his tenure with Orange County, John has been instrumental in turning around a department that faced similar conditions to those we face today in Los Angeles County. I would like to thank Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens for allowing John to take a leave from his duties as Undersheriff to return to Los Angeles County. Sheriff Hutchens began her law enforcement career with Los Angeles County, and she cares greatly about the department’s future.  The Board looks forward to working closely with John over the next 10 months before a newly elected Sheriff takes over the department.”

John Scott, Interim Los Angeles County Sheriff Biography:
John Scott joined the Sheriff’s Department in January of 1969. As a deputy, he patrolled the Lakewood Station area. In 1974, he was promoted to Sergeant and held assignments at Firestone Station, the Special Enforcement Bureau and the Emergency Operations Bureau. Following his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant in 1984, Commander Scott took assignments at Men’s Central Jail, Carson Station, Field Operations Region II Headquarters, the Office of Emergency Management, Employee Relations, and was the Executive Aide to the Assistant Sheriff. In 1995, he took command of Carson Station following his promotion to Captain. In June 2001, he held the rank of Acting Commander, leading the Custody Operations Division, North Facilities.

Scott holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Management from Redlands University, and a Master’s Degree in Public Communications from Pepperdine University.

CV for Undersheriff Scott available here: Resume

Baby Girl Surrendered at Hospital in Torrance

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the second time this month with the report of a safely surrendered newborn baby girl. This most recent safe surrender occurred on January 22, 2014 at a hospital in Torrance. A newborn baby girl was safely surrendered earlier this month at a hospital in Culver City.

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.

“Thanks to the Safe Surrender program, these baby girls have a second chance at life,” said Supervisor Knabe. “What could have been a tragic situation is instead a decision that allows these girls the chance to be part of a loving family. As word continues to spread about the Program, others in similar situations can make the right choice for their babies and themselves, because of Safe Surrender.”

This is the second Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2014, and the 115th since the program began nearly 13 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 BabySafeLA.org.

2014 Arts Education Partnership Program Applications Now Available

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce his 2014 Arts Education Partnership Program (AEPP), which will support high quality arts education programs by providing matching funds to nonprofit organizations, community organizations, government agencies and schools across the Fourth Supervisorial District.

Supervisor Knabe’s announcement reaffirms his support of arts education for all students in L.A. County schools and concurs with the US Congress that arts education is “an essential element of a complete and balanced education for all students” during this National Arts in Education Week.

The Arts Education Partnership Program will increase and sustain well-rounded education in dance, music, theatre and the visual arts for K-12 students. A panel of experts from the various arts disciplines will judge all of the grant applications that are received.

Application deadline: February 26th, 2014

Please visit Knabe.com to download the 2014 Arts Education Partnership Program Guidelines and Instructions and Application.