latimes--2020-02-12--Rent hikes could be smaller for L.A. tenants under new plan at City Hall

Alarmed about people being “ squeezed out ” of their homes , Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin wants to clamp down on rent increases for hundreds of thousands of tenants , tightening the rules under a longstanding city ordinance .
Decades ago , Los Angeles decided to limit how much rents could be hiked annually for tenants living in older buildings .
Under the Rent Stabilization Ordinance , annual hikes were based on the consumer price index — a typical measure of inflation — and capped at a maximum of 8 % annually .
Even if there was little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase rents by 3 % annually .
Tenant activists complain that in the aftermath of the recession , those hikes have routinely outpaced inflation .
Bonin complained that other cities with rent control — including San Francisco and Santa Monica — do not allow the same minimum hikes .
In Los Angeles , tenants saw that their rents “ still went up 3 % while their wages and their incomes did not , ” said Bonin , who represents Westside neighborhoods including Venice , Mar Vista and the Pacific Palisades .
Under a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those rules so that landlords can no longer boost rents by 3 % even when inflation is much lower , eliminating that “ floor.
” His plan would cap annual increases at 60 % of the consumer price index .
Changing the rules could affect tenants in roughly 600,000 apartments covered by the Rent Stabilization Ordinance , which generally applies to buildings constructed on or before Oct. 1 , 1978 .
Bonin argued that it was an important step that L.A. officials could take to “ protect renters from being gouged , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ act , a state law that limits the establishment or expansion of rent control in California cities .
Tenant advocates lauded the proposal , saying it was needed to keep renters in their homes .
For low-income tenants , “ if the wage isn ’ t keeping up with the rent increases , they ’ re making decisions about whether to pay for a doctor ’ s appointment or medicine , ” said Joe Delgado , director of Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment Los Angeles .
Changing the rules will help them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to keep up with rents in their rent-controlled buildings.
” Daniel Yukelson , executive director of the Apartment Assn .
of Greater Los Angeles , argued that the new proposal was “ just more ratcheting down on the same failed , decades-old housing policies that have gotten us into our current situation.
” Mom-and-pop landlords “ are already struggling to stay in business , ” Yukelson said .
If they get bought out , “ these larger owners come in and they buy the tenants out of these rent-controlled units and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Yukelson argued that instead of clamping down on rent increases , the city should focus more on other initiatives , such as converting motels into housing and making it cheaper to build affordable units .
The new proposal was unveiled Wednesday as part of a package of initiatives that Bonin described as a local version of the so-called Homes Guarantee , a national plan backed by tenant activists focused on access to safe , accessible and affordable housing .
The councilman also wants city officials to explore the idea of “ social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mixed-income housing , built on government property or vacant land close to transit and amenities , which finances itself by tenants paying rents on a sliding scale .
Bonin also wants the city to demand more transparency from limited liability companies , which do not have to publicly reveal who owns them , if those LLCs are buying homes in Los Angeles .
And he is pushing for the city to throw its support behind federal bills that would invest hundreds of billions of dollars in public housing .
Tenant activists , community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ union , Unite Here Local 11 , joined Bonin at a press conference Wednesday ahead of the council meeting where Bonin introduced his proposal .
“ Increasing rents are the greatest threat to our members , ” said Vicky Beza , a member of Unite Here Local 11 .
“ We need to be able to stay in our community .
”

Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin, shown in 2015, wants to reduce how much landlords can raise rent during periods of low inflation.
Alarmed about people being “squeezed out” of their homes, Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin wants to clamp down on rent increases for hundreds of thousands of tenants, tightening the rules under a long-standing city ordinance.
Decades ago, Los Angeles decided to limit how much rents could be hiked annually for tenants living in older buildings. Under the Rent Stabilization Ordinance, annual increases are based on the consumer price index — a typical measure of inflation — and capped at 8%.
Even if there is little inflation, however, landlords can still increase rents by 3% a year. Tenant activists complain that in the aftermath of the recession, those hikes have routinely outpaced inflation. Bonin said other cities with rent control — including San Francisco and Santa Monica — do not allow the same minimum hikes.
In Los Angeles, tenants saw that their rents “still went up 3% while their wages and their incomes did not,” said Bonin, who represents Westside neighborhoods including Venice, Mar Vista and Pacific Palisades.
Under a new proposal, Bonin wants to adjust those rules so that landlords can no longer boost rents by 3% even when inflation is much lower, eliminating that floor. His plan would cap annual increases at 60% of the consumer price index.
Changing the rules could affect tenants in roughly 600,000 apartments covered by the Rent Stabilization Ordinance, which generally applies to buildings constructed on or before Oct. 1, 1978.
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Bonin argued that it was an important step that L.A. officials could take to “protect renters from being gouged,” even under the restrictions of the Costa-Hawkins Act, a state law that limits the establishment or expansion of rent control in California cities. Tenant advocates lauded the proposal, saying it was needed to keep renters in their homes.
For low-income tenants, “if the wage isn’t keeping up with the rent increases, they’re making decisions about whether to pay for a doctor’s appointment or medicine,” said Joe Delgado, director of the L.A. chapter of the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment. Changing the rules will help them “feel secure that they’ll be able to keep up with rents in their rent-controlled buildings.”
Daniel Yukelson, executive director of the Apartment Assn. of Greater Los Angeles, argued that the new proposal was “just more ratcheting down on the same failed, decades-old housing policies that have gotten us into our current situation.”
Mom-and-pop landlords “are already struggling to stay in business,” Yukelson said. If they get bought out, “these larger owners come in and they buy the tenants out of these rent-controlled units and rehab these buildings and charge market rents.”
Yukelson argued that instead of clamping down on rent increases, the city should focus more on other initiatives, such as converting motels into housing and making it cheaper to build affordable units.
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The new proposal was unveiled Wednesday as part of a package of initiatives that Bonin described as a local version of the Homes Guarantee, a national plan backed by tenant activists focused on access to safe, accessible and affordable housing.
The councilman also wants city officials to explore the idea of “social housing,” which he described as mixed-income housing, built on government property or vacant land close to transit and amenities, that finances itself by tenants paying rents on a sliding scale.
Bonin also wants the city to demand more transparency from limited liability companies, which do not have to publicly reveal who owns them, if those LLCs are buying homes in Los Angeles. And he is pushing for the city to throw its support behind federal bills that would invest hundreds of billions of dollars in public housing.
Tenant activists, community groups and members of Unite Here Local 11, a hotel workers union, joined Bonin at a news conference Wednesday ahead of the council meeting at which Bonin introduced his proposal.
“Increasing rents are the greatest threat to our members,” said Vicky Beza, a member of Unite Here Local 11. “We need to be able to stay in our community.”
Times staff writer David Zahniser contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-02-12--After a nuisance mountain lion is killed, two L.A. city leaders want to end the practice

Two Los Angeles City Council members are pushing to end the permitted killing of mountain lions after one of the big cats was put down in the Santa Monica Mountains last month .
Along with seeking to halt depredation permits , which allow lethal action against cougars , Councilmen Paul Koretz and David Ryu announced Tuesday they were asking that the city support listing Southern California and Central Coast mountain lions as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act .
The city leaders also want to establish a fund to reimburse anyone whose pets or livestock are killed by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take lethal action against a big cat that has killed or injured other animals if deterrents have failed , both men said mountain lions already faced an uncertain future because of significant threats , including overbuilding , destruction of wildlife corridors and exposure to rat poison .
“ There continues to be an insane disconnect between the important conservation work we are doing in a time when we are racing the clock to protect our native species and habitat , ” Koretz said in a statement .
The California Department of Fish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is undermining our work by handing out depredation permits on an apex predator just trying to survive in his natural habitat .
We can do better and we must.
” Ryu called mountain lions “ the symbol of L.A. 's wildlife ” but said they were at risk of extinction in the Santa Monica and Santa Ana mountains .
“ It ’ s on us to end depredation and to protect this iconic species today , not just for Southern California mountain lions , but for the Los Angeles wild we know and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
Koretz and Ryu unveiled their proposed resolution — which will first go to the council ’ s Rules , Elections and Intergovernmental Relations Committee — the day after authorities announced that a 4- or 5-year-old male mountain lion known as P-56 had been killed near Camarillo in late January .
A property owner in the area had reported nine attacks over two years that resulted in the loss of 12 animals , mostly sheep and lambs , despite efforts to secure the property , according to Fish and Wildlife .
Mountain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endangered in California , although they are classified as a “ specially protected ” species — meaning it is illegal to kill them “ unless for protection of life , livestock or other property , ” said Tim Daly , an information officer with Fish and Wildlife .
Mountain lion hunting has been banned in the state since 1990 .
Property owners can request a depredation permit , but before the state agency will consider granting one , residents must demonstrate they ’ ve done all they can to protect their land and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return , Daly said .
In the Santa Monica and Santa Ana mountains , landowners also must allow for a “ three-strike ” policy before taking lethal action .
“ We don ’ t like taking animals out of their existence , but there are times when , whether it ’ s a mountain lion in Southern California or a bear in Northern California , sometimes they keep pushing and pushing , and the messages to discourage their visits are no longer working , ” Daly said earlier this week .
From 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,010 mountain lion depredation permits statewide , and 423 animals were killed , agency figures show .
P-56 was the first collared mountain lion killed in the Santa Monicas under the state law , which was created in 2014 .
The slain cougar had been monitored by the National Park Service since 2017 and was living south of the 101 Freeway in the western area of the Santa Monica Mountains .
Mountain lions in that range have been part of a nearly 18-year national park study , though an unknown number of uncollared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Daly said 4,000 to 6,000 mountain lions call California home .
While typically associated with the rugged terrain that gives them their name , some mountain lions have been known to venture into residential areas bordering their habitat .
Last weekend , Fish and Wildlife captured and relocated a female lion that was seen in a tree in a Simi Valley backyard .
That followed several other encounters in the area since December , during which officials and residents said mountain lions attacked two dogs , killing one ; mauled at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a backyard coop .
Yet another mountain lion was spotted in the 5000 block of Leeds Street on Tuesday evening , according to the Simi Valley Police Department .
Residents are advised to keep their distance and call authorities at ( 805 ) 583-6950 if they see the animal .

Two Los Angeles City Council members are pushing to end the permitted killing of mountain lions after one of the big cats was put down in the Santa Monica Mountains last month.
Along with seeking to halt depredation permits, which allow lethal action against cougars, Councilmen Paul Koretz and David Ryu announced Tuesday they were asking that the city support listing Southern California and Central Coast mountain lions as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act. The city leaders also want to establish a fund to reimburse anyone whose pets or livestock are killed by the animals.
Although the state allows landowners to take lethal action against a big cat that has killed or injured other animals if deterrents have failed, both men said mountain lions already faced an uncertain future because of significant threats, including overbuilding, destruction of wildlife corridors and exposure to rat poison.
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California Mountain lion killed under state law that allows lethal action if livestock or pets are attacked P-56 was killed in late January under a law that allows a landowner to take lethal action against a mountain lion that has killed livestock or pets.
“There continues to be an insane disconnect between the important conservation work we are doing in a time when we are racing the clock to protect our native species and habitat,” Koretz said in a statement.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, he added, “is undermining our work by handing out depredation permits on an apex predator just trying to survive in his natural habitat. We can do better and we must.”
Ryu called mountain lions “the symbol of L.A.’s wildlife” but said they were at risk of extinction in the Santa Monica and Santa Ana mountains.
“It’s on us to end depredation and to protect this iconic species today, not just for Southern California mountain lions, but for the Los Angeles wild we know and love,” he said in a statement.
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Koretz and Ryu unveiled their proposed resolution — which will first go to the council’s Rules, Elections and Intergovernmental Relations Committee — the day after authorities announced that a 4- or 5-year-old male mountain lion known as P-56 had been killed near Camarillo in late January.
A property owner in the area had reported nine attacks over two years that resulted in the loss of 12 animals, mostly sheep and lambs, despite efforts to secure the property, according to Fish and Wildlife.
Mountain lions are not listed as threatened or endangered in California, although they are classified as a “specially protected” species — meaning it is illegal to kill them “unless for protection of life, livestock or other property,” said Tim Daly, an information officer with Fish and Wildlife. Mountain lion hunting has been banned in the state since 1990.
Property owners can request a depredation permit, but before the state agency will consider granting one, residents must demonstrate they’ve done all they can to protect their land and animals and discourage a predator’s return, Daly said.
In the Santa Monica and Santa Ana mountains, landowners also must allow for a “three-strike” policy before taking lethal action.
“We don’t like taking animals out of their existence, but there are times when, whether it’s a mountain lion in Southern California or a bear in Northern California, sometimes they keep pushing and pushing, and the messages to discourage their visits are no longer working,” Daly said earlier this week.
From 2015 to 2018, Fish and Wildlife issued 1,010 mountain lion depredation permits statewide, and 423 animals were killed, agency figures show. P-56 was the first collared mountain lion killed in the Santa Monicas under the state law, which was created in 2014.
The slain cougar had been monitored by the National Park Service since 2017 and was living south of the 101 Freeway in the western area of the Santa Monica Mountains. Mountain lions in that range have been part of a nearly 18-year national park study, though an unknown number of uncollared cougars live in the area as well. Daly said 4,000 to 6,000 mountain lions call California home.
While typically associated with the rugged terrain that gives them their name, some mountain lions have been known to venture into residential areas bordering their habitat.
Last weekend, Fish and Wildlife captured and relocated a female lion that was seen in a tree in a Simi Valley backyard. That followed several other encounters in the area since December, during which officials and residents said mountain lions attacked two dogs, killing one; mauled at least three goats; and killed several chickens in a backyard coop.
California Mountain lion spotted in Simi Valley backyard is captured and relocated The California Department of Fish and Wildlife tracked the roughly 90-pound cat after it was seen Saturday in a backyard tree and tranquilized the animal before moving it.
Yet another mountain lion was spotted in the 5000 block of Leeds Street on Tuesday evening, according to the Simi Valley Police Department. Residents are advised to keep their distance and call authorities at (805) 583-6950 if they see the animal.
Times staff writer Colleen Shalby contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-02-12--Photo of students with swastika and Confederate flag roils Riverside school

A photograph of a group of Riverside teenagers posing with a Nazi symbol in front of a Confederate flag that began circulating on social media last week has prompted backlash from students and parents .
The photo shows eight Martin Luther King High School students — some smiling — with a Confederate flag and a Trump 2020 banner .
One of the students is holding a representation of a swastika .
Another is flashing a hand gesture tha white supremacist groups claim represents the letters “ WP , ” for white power , according to the Anti-Defamation League .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was circulated among the student body last week .
The situation has sparked fear and anger on campus , principal Michael West said .
“ At this time in our country , the frank reality is that political and social views are strongly held by individuals , ” West said in a video circulated Monday .
“ Individual views , while people are entitled to them , may be in direct conflict with those of others , our school and our district values.
” He suggested that teachers and school staff set aside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diversity , tolerance , respect and how to use social media in a positive way.
” The school administration this year created an equity committee tasked with developing programs and events aimed at improving respect and racial harmony on campus .
The school has also started a multicultural leadership class and is organizing what it calls “ synergy days ” to help students recognize and respect their differences , but also find value in and appreciation for their similarities , West said .
“ This teachable moment will not be lost on us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not clear whether the eight students in the photograph will face disciplinary action .
Timothy Walker , the Riverside Unified School District ’ s assistant superintendent of pupil services , said he could not discuss any possible punishment , citing privacy rights .
He said the district is conducting an investigation .
“ We ’ re trying to bring the community together .
This is an issue of feelings out there in homes and communities that are brought to school , ” he said .
“ We try to focus on educational programs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , emotional realm .
Part of that is to support them when controversies occur.
” Of MLK ’ s 3,000 students , the largest portion — 38 % — are white , according to recent data from the California Department of Education , with Latino students making up about 36 % , and Asian and black students just over 8 % each .
Gray Mavheria , who is black and has two children in the school , told the Press-Enterprise that these are not new issues for the campus .
His children have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and have been told to sit at the back of the bus , he said .
“ I looked at the picture and said , ‘ Who does this ?
’ ” he told the newspaper .
“ I call it ‘ Hell High School ’ because of what they ’ ve put my kids through and other minority kids through.
” A report released Wednesday by the Anti-Defamation League ’ s Center on Extremism showed an increase in white supremacist propaganda in 2019 .
The report showed 2,713 cases reported last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racist , anti-Semitic and anti-LGBTQ fliers , stickers , banners and posters .
That number is more than double what the center recorded in 2018 , the report states .
While the report showed propaganda touched every state except Hawaii , the highest levels were centered in 10 states , including California , data show .
The Riverside photo is the most recent in a series of incidents involving Southern California schools .
In May 2019 , the Newport-Mesa Unified School District shared among young people , including students from Newport Harbor High @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private Instagram group .
One group member asked whether anyone wanted a souvenir while the person was in Alabama and Mississippi , noting , “ I ’ ll get you a real confederate flag.
” Another person in the group then asked : “ Do they still sell black people down there ?
” The person taking the trip responded : “ If they do , I ’ ll get everyone a new plantation worker.
” The same school made national headlines months earlier when a group of students at a party posed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shape of a swastika as some stood with hands outstretched in Nazi salutes .
Brian Levin , director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at Cal State San Bernardino , said the photo and others like it are meant to be a “ bonding experience for young people who are ignorant and are trying to send a message to a changing society.
” “ At a time when over 40 % of Americans say whites are under attack , these young people are sending a shock message that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest reverberation you ’ ll get is when you hook into tribal prejudice , ” Levin said .
“ Some of this is youthful rebellion , but don ’ t kid yourself : It ’ s also another example of the sociopolitical mainstreaming of white supremacy and Nazi symbols .
”

A photograph of a group of Riverside teenagers posing with a Nazi symbol in front of a Confederate flag that began circulating on social media last week has prompted backlash from students and parents.
The photo shows eight Martin Luther King High School students — some smiling — with a Confederate flag and a Trump 2020 banner. One of the students is holding a representation of a swastika. Another is flashing a hand gesture tha white supremacist groups claim represents the letters “WP,” for white power, according to the Anti-Defamation League.
The image, which was taken off-campus, was circulated among the student body last week. The situation has sparked fear and anger on campus, principal Michael West said.
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“At this time in our country, the frank reality is that political and social views are strongly held by individuals,” West said in a video circulated Monday. “Individual views, while people are entitled to them, may be in direct conflict with those of others, our school and our district values.”
He suggested that teachers and school staff set aside time to talk with students about “diversity, tolerance, respect and how to use social media in a positive way.”
The school administration this year created an equity committee tasked with developing programs and events aimed at improving respect and racial harmony on campus. The school has also started a multicultural leadership class and is organizing what it calls “synergy days” to help students recognize and respect their differences, but also find value in and appreciation for their similarities, West said.
“This teachable moment will not be lost on us,” he said.
It is not clear whether the eight students in the photograph will face disciplinary action.
Timothy Walker, the Riverside Unified School District’s assistant superintendent of pupil services, said he could not discuss any possible punishment, citing privacy rights. He said the district is conducting an investigation.
“We’re trying to bring the community together. This is an issue of feelings out there in homes and communities that are brought to school,” he said. “We try to focus on educational programs and support our kids in a social, emotional realm. Part of that is to support them when controversies occur.”
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Of MLK’s 3,000 students, the largest portion — 38% — are white, according to recent data from the California Department of Education, with Latino students making up about 36%, and Asian and black students just over 8% each.
Gray Mavheria, who is black and has two children in the school, told the Press-Enterprise that these are not new issues for the campus. His children have been referred to as “cotton picking” and have been told to sit at the back of the bus, he said.
“I looked at the picture and said, ‘Who does this?’” he told the newspaper. “I call it ‘Hell High School’ because of what they’ve put my kids through and other minority kids through.”
A report released Wednesday by the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism showed an increase in white supremacist propaganda in 2019. The report showed 2,713 cases reported last year, which include the distribution of racist, anti-Semitic and anti-LGBTQ fliers, stickers, banners and posters. That number is more than double what the center recorded in 2018, the report states.
While the report showed propaganda touched every state except Hawaii, the highest levels were centered in 10 states, including California, data show.
The Riverside photo is the most recent in a series of incidents involving Southern California schools.
In May 2019, the Newport-Mesa Unified School District investigated a series of overtly racist messages shared among young people, including students from Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach, in a private Instagram group.
One group member asked whether anyone wanted a souvenir while the person was in Alabama and Mississippi, noting, “I’ll get you a real confederate flag.”
Another person in the group then asked: “Do they still sell black people down there?”
The person taking the trip responded: “If they do, I’ll get everyone a new plantation worker.”
The same school made national headlines months earlier when a group of students at a party posed with red plastic cups arranged in the shape of a swastika as some stood with hands outstretched in Nazi salutes.
Brian Levin, director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at Cal State San Bernardino, said the photo and others like it are meant to be a “bonding experience for young people who are ignorant and are trying to send a message to a changing society.”
“At a time when over 40% of Americans say whites are under attack, these young people are sending a shock message that they’re still relevant, and the biggest reverberation you’ll get is when you hook into tribal prejudice,” Levin said. “Some of this is youthful rebellion, but don’t kid yourself: It’s also another example of the sociopolitical mainstreaming of white supremacy and Nazi symbols.”


latimes--2020-02-12--California's new early warning earthquake app features a shaking countdown

A new earthquake early warning app for smartphones has been released , offering users across California the ability to see a countdown before shaking arrives .
Available for iOS and Android phones , QuakeAlertUSA also offers the ability for phone owners to individually tailor when the app is triggered — for weak , light or moderate shaking .
The app by Santa Monica-based Early Warning Labs uses the same data source as the other two apps that have been available — the U.S. Geological Survey ’ s ShakeAlert system , powered by hundreds of earthquake sensors across California .
Two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warning but don ’ t offer countdowns or the ability to ignore warnings for weak and light shaking ; they are UC Berkeley ’ s MyShake app , which offers statewide coverage , and the City of Los Angeles ’ ShakeAlertLA app for users physically in Los Angeles County .
California authoritoes have also begun to issue alerts via text message , through the Amber Alert-style Wireless Emergency System .
Those alerts do not require downloading an app or having a smartphone to receive the apps , but that system may be slower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go off for only more relatively stronger shaking than the smartphone apps .
The mildest shaking that can trigger an alert for QuakeAlertUSA ’ s app is weak shaking , or Level 3 on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale , defined as felt quite noticeably by people indoors , especially on upper floors of a building , and can cause standing motor rocks to slightly rock .
Some might think the shaking is resulting from the vibrations felt when a heavy truck passes .
This threshold is the same used by ShakeAlertLA and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also set the alarm to ring only for more substantial shaking , such as one that ’ s light , or level 4 for the intensity scale , in which many people feel shaking indoors , and the shaking disturbs dishes , windows and doors , causing walls to make cracking sounds .
This is the same threshold used by the state in activating earthquake early warnings through text message .
Finally , users can set the minimum threshold to moderate shaking , or intensity level 5 — enough to awaken many people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unstable objects and stop pendulum clocks .
“ It ’ s exciting , ” said Josh Bashioum , founder and CEO of Early Warning Labs , of the release of the app .
“ Our main goal is to save lives.
” Earthquakes need to be at least a magnitude 4.5 for the USGS ’ ShakeAlert system to even consider send out warnings to devices that are seeing at least weak shaking , or Level 3 on the intensity scale .
In recent months , slight shaking has triggered alerts in sparsely populated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4.3 earthquake ruptured in the mountains between the Central Coast and San Joaquin Valley , causing more than 40 people to receive an alarm .
( The app sent out an alert because the initial calculation of the earthquake came in at magnitude 4.8 , above the minimum magnitude 4.5 threshold for the event to be considered for a warning . )
And in January , a magnitude 4.6 earthquake in the Mojave Desert caused an earthquake early warning to be sent out by text message over the Wireless Emergency Alert system , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of light or moderate shaking in a sparsely populated area north of the Barstow area and south of Death Valley National Park .
The countdown feature should be used with caution .
People shouldn ’ t wait around for the seconds to tick down before dropping , covering and holding on ; they should do it right away , said USGS ShakeAlert scientist Robert de Groot .
Decent shaking can come even before the countdown hits zero .
“ Don ’ t have a false sense of security ; earthquakes are very complex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve been very careful about the countdown issue , ” De Groot said .
Institutions across California have launched earthquake early warning systems ; including the BART commuter rail system in the Bay Area and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority , designed to slow trains before shaking arrives ; public address systems in some buildings , like L.A. City Hall and a 19-story condo tower in Marina del Rey , are wired to warn residents of incoming shaking through a public address system .
Such a system was installed by Early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where an audible alert is programmed to go out in advance of shaking , saying , “ Earthquake , earthquake .
Expect shaking .
Drop , cover and hold on .
Protect yourself now , ” said Ryan Tuchmayer , director of emergency management .
Hospital staff have been trained on how to react to the alerts , and staff have gone through drills .
The minimum threshold of shaking that will activate a warning at Cedars-Sinai is light shaking , or level 4 on the intensity scale .
Institutional users of earthquake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alarms or action differently under USGS rules .
A company focusing on making sensitive electronic equipment , for instance , may want to take action at even the slightest expected shaking that may not be perceptible to most humans , or intensity level 2 .

A new earthquake early warning app for smartphones has been released, offering users across California the ability to see a countdown before shaking arrives.
Available for iOS and Android phones, QuakeAlertUSA also offers the ability for phone owners to individually tailor when the app is triggered — for weak, light or moderate shaking.
The app by Santa Monica-based Early Warning Labs uses the same data source as the other two apps that have been available — the U.S. Geological Survey’s ShakeAlert system, powered by hundreds of earthquake sensors across California. Two other apps are available for earthquake early warning but don’t offer countdowns or the ability to ignore warnings for weak and light shaking; they are UC Berkeley’s MyShake app, which offers statewide coverage, and the City of Los Angeles’ ShakeAlertLA app for users physically in Los Angeles County.
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California authorities have also begun to issue alerts via text message, through the Amber Alert-style Wireless Emergency System. Those alerts do not require downloading an app or having a smartphone to receive the apps, but that system may be slower than the apps and is set to go off for only more relatively stronger shaking than the smartphone apps.
The mildest shaking that can trigger an alert for QuakeAlertUSA’s app is weak shaking, or Level 3 on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale, defined as felt quite noticeably by people indoors, especially on upper floors of a building, and can cause standing motor vehicles to slightly rock. Some might think the shaking is resulting from the vibrations felt when a heavy truck passes.
This threshold is the same used by ShakeAlertLA and MyShake.
Users of the QuakeAlertUSA can also set the alarm to ring only for more substantial shaking, such as one that’s light, or level 4 for the intensity scale, in which many people feel shaking indoors, and the shaking disturbs dishes, windows and doors, causing walls to make cracking sounds. This is the same threshold used by the state in activating earthquake early warnings through text message.
Finally, users can set the minimum threshold to moderate shaking, or intensity level 5 — enough to awaken many people, break dishes and windows, overturn unstable objects and stop pendulum clocks.
“It’s exciting,” said Josh Bashioum, founder and CEO of Early Warning Labs, of the release of the app. “Our main goal is to save lives.”
Earthquakes need to be at least a magnitude 4.5 for the USGS’ ShakeAlert system to even consider send out warnings to devices that are seeing at least weak shaking, or Level 3 on the intensity scale.
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In recent months, slight shaking has triggered alerts in sparsely populated areas. In December, a magnitude 4.3 earthquake ruptured in the mountains between the Central Coast and San Joaquin Valley, causing more than 40 people to receive an alarm. (The app sent out an alert because the initial calculation of the earthquake came in at magnitude 4.8, above the minimum magnitude 4.5 threshold for the event to be considered for a warning.)
Big news! Our first live early earthquake warning alert was sent out for a M4.4 #earthquake in Parkfield, CA (central California).
If you received an alert, we’d love to hear your thoughts! — MyShake (@MyShakeApp) December 17, 2019
And in January, a magnitude 4.6 earthquake in the Mojave Desert caused an earthquake early warning to be sent out by text message over the Wireless Emergency Alert system, directed toward users in a projected zone of light or moderate shaking in a sparsely populated area north of the Barstow area and south of Death Valley National Park.
The #ShakeAlert was only distributed to users who could have felt MMI 4 (light shaking) or greater. Look for the MMI 4 region on the map. (2/3) Check out: https://t.co/cZEWAYDfki pic.twitter.com/rkTzUEx6rE — USGS ShakeAlert (@USGS_ShakeAlert) January 26, 2020
The countdown feature should be used with caution. People shouldn’t wait around for the seconds to tick down before dropping, covering and holding on; they should do it right away, said USGS ShakeAlert scientist Robert de Groot.
Decent shaking can come even before the countdown hits zero. “Don’t have a false sense of security; earthquakes are very complex. That’s why we’ve been very careful about the countdown issue,” De Groot said.
Institutions across California have launched earthquake early warning systems; including the BART commuter rail system in the Bay Area and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, designed to slow trains before shaking arrives; public address systems in some buildings, like L.A. City Hall and a 19-story condo tower in Marina del Rey, are wired to warn residents of incoming shaking through a public address system.
Such a system was installed by Early Warning Labs at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where an audible alert is programmed to go out in advance of shaking, saying, “Earthquake, earthquake. Expect shaking. Drop, cover and hold on. Protect yourself now,” said Ryan Tuchmayer, director of emergency management. Hospital staff have been trained on how to react to the alerts, and staff have gone through drills.
The minimum threshold of shaking that will activate a warning at Cedars-Sinai is light shaking, or level 4 on the intensity scale.
Institutional users of earthquake early warnings can set their threshold for alarms or action differently under USGS rules. A company focusing on making sensitive electronic equipment, for instance, may want to take action at even the slightest expected shaking that may not be perceptible to most humans, or intensity level 2.


latimes--2020-02-12--California bullet train adds another $1.3 billion to projected price tag

The California High-Speed Rail Authority on Wednesday bumped its overall cost estimate for completing the rail line between Los Angeles and San Francisco to $ 80.3 billion , blaming inflationary increases and better cost projections for a $ 1.3-billion boost that still is smaller than in previous years .
After years of embarrassing cost overruns and delays , managers of California ’ s ambitious bullet-train project insisted that they are on pace to meet a preliminary 2022 federal deadline for laying track along the first segment in the Central Valley .
But that will use up virtually all the money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s latest business plan comes amid unrelenting pressure from state lawmakers , some of whom want to peel off more of the money to help commuters in the city ’ s population centers .
The 168-page report attempts to counter those critics by emphasizing the $ 3 billion already going to so-called bookend projects in the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay areas .
It also tries to make the case that building first in the Central Valley remains more efficient than the alternatives .
“ We continue to make investments in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Brian Kelly , the project ’ s chief executive , adding that “ California is further along than I think a lot of people think.
” The cost increase is mainly because the plan pushes back the completion of a high-speed rail link between Silicon Valley and the Central Valley by 18 months , to late 2031 .
The increase in the projected baseline cost is smaller than previous jumps , with Kelly calling it ” virtually unchanged ” and within the ranges of recent previous estimates .
The 2016 business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 64 billion .
The authority raised that to $ 77 billion in the 2018 business plan and added $ 2 billion to the estimate just last year .
The new plan continues to project that the entire Los Angeles-to-San Francisco route will be running by 2033 — a quarter-century after California voters first approved it — “ assuming funding is available when needed.
” The draft business plan , which is released every two years , projects that managers can meet the more urgent federal deadline in two years .
By then the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with track on the ground .
It must also have environmental clearance for all 520 miles to meet its deadline to use $ 3.5 billion that the state won under the Obama administration to build an initial segment of track in the Central Valley .
“ We are on track to do that .
It ’ s going to be hard , no question about that , ” said authority spokeswoman Melissa Figueroa .
“ But we have plans in place and everyone is focused on getting that done.
” California is suing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a $ 929-million grant for the project on the grounds that the state isn ’ t making enough progress toward the deadline .
Beyond that , the plan calls for expanding to 171 miles connecting Merced , Fresno and Bakersfield , which it calls “ three of the fastest growing areas in California.
” It calls for testing electrified high-speed trains by 2025 and putting those trains into service by 2028-29 .
From Merced , passengers could connect to existing rail services to the Bay Area , but those heading to Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon ( D-Lakewood ) is among lawmakers who last year called for shifting more of the high-speed rail money to urban areas .
But the draft plan says that sticking to the Central Valley plan brings the highest speed ( up to 220 mph ) , the largest ridership and revenue increases , the most traffic congestion relief and the greatest air quality benefits over competing options .
“ We don ’ t think that now is the time to turn back , ” Kelly said .
The final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by May , after public comments and legislative hearings .
The currently projected available funds are only about a quarter of what ’ s needed to complete the full project .
The draft plan once again calls for the Legislature to allow the authority to borrow money for construction against the state ’ s carbon cap-and-trade program that raises money from companies that release greenhouse gases .
The same recommendation was in the 2018 final plan .
The plan still includes no commitments from the private sector , although authority officials say they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including building a 180-mile high-speed train link between Las Vegas and Southern California , and are working closely with developer Virgin Trains USA .

A high-speed rail viaduct under construction over the San Joaquin River near Fresno in October 2019.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority on Wednesday bumped its overall cost estimate for completing the rail line between Los Angeles and San Francisco to $80.3 billion, blaming inflationary increases and better cost projections for a $1.3-billion boost that still is smaller than in previous years.
After years of embarrassing cost overruns and delays, managers of California’s ambitious bullet-train project insisted that they are on pace to meet a preliminary 2022 federal deadline for laying track along the first segment in the Central Valley.
But that will use up virtually all the money the project has available.
The authority’s latest business plan comes amid unrelenting pressure from state lawmakers, some of whom want to peel off more of the money to help commuters in the city’s population centers. The 168-page report attempts to counter those critics by emphasizing the $3 billion already going to so-called bookend projects in the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay areas.
It also tries to make the case that building first in the Central Valley remains more efficient than the alternatives.
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“We continue to make investments in all three regions of the state,” said Brian Kelly, the project’s chief executive, adding that “California is further along than I think a lot of people think.”
The cost increase is mainly because the plan pushes back the completion of a high-speed rail link between Silicon Valley and the Central Valley by 18 months, to late 2031.
The increase in the projected baseline cost is smaller than previous jumps, with Kelly calling it ”virtually unchanged” and within the ranges of recent previous estimates. The 2016 business plan estimated the project would cost $64 billion. The authority raised that to $77 billion in the 2018 business plan and added $2 billion to the estimate just last year.
The new plan continues to project that the entire Los Angeles-to-San Francisco route will be running by 2033 — a quarter-century after California voters first approved it — “assuming funding is available when needed.”
The draft business plan, which is released every two years, projects that managers can meet the more urgent federal deadline in two years.
By then the state must have 119 miles completed, with track on the ground. It must also have environmental clearance for all 520 miles to meet its deadline to use $3.5 billion that the state won under the Obama administration to build an initial segment of track in the Central Valley.
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“We are on track to do that. It’s going to be hard, no question about that,” said authority spokeswoman Melissa Figueroa. “But we have plans in place and everyone is focused on getting that done.”
California is suing to block the Trump administration from withdrawing a $929-million grant for the project on the grounds that the state isn’t making enough progress toward the deadline.
Beyond that, the plan calls for expanding to 171 miles connecting Merced, Fresno and Bakersfield, which it calls “three of the fastest growing areas in California.” It calls for testing electrified high-speed trains by 2025 and putting those trains into service by 2028-29. From Merced, passengers could connect to existing rail services to the Bay Area, but those heading to Los Angeles would have to take a bus.
California In a blow to the bullet train, California might shift billions to L.A. and Bay Area projects A plan is quietly gaining support to truncate California’s troubled high-speed rail construction project in the Central Valley and spend some of the remaining billions of dollars in Southern California and the Bay Area.
State Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) is among lawmakers who last year called for shifting more of the high-speed rail money to urban areas.
But the draft plan says that sticking to the Central Valley plan brings the highest speed (up to 220 mph), the largest ridership and revenue increases, the most traffic congestion relief and the greatest air quality benefits over competing options.
“We don’t think that now is the time to turn back,” Kelly said.
The final plan will be sent to state lawmakers by May, after public comments and legislative hearings.
The currently projected available funds are only about a quarter of what’s needed to complete the full project.
The draft plan once again calls for the Legislature to allow the authority to borrow money for construction against the state’s carbon cap-and-trade program that raises money from companies that release greenhouse gases. The same recommendation was in the 2018 final plan.
The plan still includes no commitments from the private sector, although authority officials say they are encouraged by other private proposals, including building a 180-mile high-speed train link between Las Vegas and Southern California, and are working closely with developer Virgin Trains USA.


latimes--2020-02-12--Judge restores immigrant-detention hotline featured in 'Orange Is the New Black'

A federal judge on Tuesday demanded that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement temporarily restore a national toll-free hotline for detained immigrants that was shut down two weeks after being featured on the television show “ Orange Is the New Black.
” Freedom for Immigrants , which ran the confidential hotline , sued the Department of Homeland Security in January , contending that the termination was an act of retaliation and a violation of free speech .
The California-based group advocates for an end to immigrant detention and has long been a vocal critic of ICE , which is overseen by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ICE must bring back the telephone extension while the legal case continues .
The court also concluded that Freedom for Immigrants is likely to win .
“ For too long , ICE has censored our speech and invented imaginary rules to terminate our programs , ” said Freedom for Immigrants executive director Christina Fialho .
“ This case should remind us all that the Trump administration is not a law unto itself but rather accountable to the people and our Constitution.
” In a statement , ICE said it can ’ t comment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , lawyers for ICE maintained that the agency has the right to regulate phone access by detainees .
“ At its core , this case is about an unapproved nonprofit organization that took over and continued to use a free and unmonitored pro bono extension number to facilitate calls with immigrant detainees , ” they wrote .
During a hearing in Los Angeles last month , U.S. District Judge André Birotte Jr. laid out a timeline of events that could be perceived as retaliation by ICE .
In July 2013 , Freedom for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Post critical of ICE and the treatment of detainees in Orange County .
Two days later , ICE shut down its visitation programs at three Los Angeles-area facilities .
That same summer , an affiliated organization warned ICE about alleged abuse at the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego .
ICE shut down the organization ’ s visitation program at Otay Mesa in August 2013 .
In July 2015 , Freedom for Immigrants filed a complaint with the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties on behalf of immigrants detained at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Two weeks later , ICE and the local sheriff ’ s department terminated the organization ’ s visitation program at Etowah .
In November 2017 , the organization helped women at the West County Detention Facility in Northern California publish a letter complaining of inhumane treatment .
Four months later , its visitation program was shut down .
In each of these instances and in others , the visitation programs were later reinstated by ICE .
But Birotte said the timing was cause for concern .
“ Is it just a coincidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instances 48 hours after criticism ?
” he asked Anna Dichter , an attorney representing ICE .
Freedom for Immigrants had held a toll-free immigrant detention hotline since 2013 , when it helped an affiliated organization — Friends of Miami-Dade Detainees — start a visitation program in Florida .
Some months , volunteers who staffed the phone lines received more than 10,000 calls from detainees around the country , many of them held in rural facilities and with no money to call friends or family .
They connect immigrants to lawyers , help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and assist them in filing complaints about rights violations and abuse .
Toll-free numbers for pro bono attorneys and organizations are approved by the Executive Office for Immigration Review , which oversees the immigration courts .
The numbers are extensions issued by the phone service provider , Talton Communications , because 1-800 numbers don ’ t work from within detention facilities .
Detainees must pay for calls to all other numbers .
Unlike criminal inmates , immigrant detainees are not entitled to free legal counsel or a free phone call .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Immigrants hotline to seven detention facilities in Florida .
In an email afterward , an ICE employee explained that the agency had recently completed an audit for the pro bono system to ensure that each facility was being served by local organizations .
Dichter said during the court hearing that Freedom for Immigrants wasn ’ t listed on the original request for the hotline and that there never was any indication the goal was to reach detainees beyond Florida .
“ The whole point of this system is to be based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Immigrants “ benefited off a glitch in the system , which DHS corrected.
” But letters and emails submitted as part of the lawsuit also make it clear that ICE knew the two organizations were linked .
The first letter , dated Aug. 5 , 2013 , requested ICE ’ s approval for the visitation program at a Miami-area detention facility and the establishment of a hotline .
It was signed by Fialho , the director of Freedom for Immigrants , and local advocates .
Then the hotline was featured as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seventh season of the Netflix series “ Orange Is the New Black , ” which was released July 26 .
On Aug. 7 , ICE shut it down .
At the time , ICE had argued that organizations found in violation of rules against three-way calling and call forwarding would be removed from the pro bono platform .
But evidence submitted to the court suggested that officials were aware of call forwarding as early as December 2013 .
Dichter said EOIR had amended regulations in 2015 to clarify what types of organizations could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer , ICE standardized its application process .
Now hotlines must be re-approved every three years and those no longer appearing on the EOIR list are removed from the system .
Because Freedom for Immigrants isn ’ t a legal service provider itself , she said , the organization doesn ’ t qualify to remain on the list .
Birotte , the judge , asked Dichter for a written memo or policy establishing those standards .
She didn ’ t have one .
But she said several other organizations that never published negative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removed from the hotline system .
Since the shutdown , Freedom for Immigrants has spent nearly $ 20,000 to continue facilitating calls to a 10-digit phone number , which are monitored .
Moez Kaba , an attorney representing the organization , acknowledged that the federal government has the right to regulate the telephone lines it provides .
But he said ICE broke the law by choosing to audit the organization six years after approving the hotline and following what he called a systemic pattern of retaliation .
“ People are desperate to report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .

A federal judge on Tuesday demanded that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement temporarily restore a national toll-free hotline for detained immigrants that was shut down two weeks after being featured on the television show “Orange Is the New Black.”
Freedom for Immigrants, which ran the confidential hotline, sued the Department of Homeland Security in January, contending that the termination was an act of retaliation and a violation of free speech. The California-based group advocates for an end to immigrant detention and has long been a vocal critic of ICE, which is overseen by DHS.
Under the court order, ICE must bring back the telephone extension while the legal case continues. The court also concluded that Freedom for Immigrants is likely to win.
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“For too long, ICE has censored our speech and invented imaginary rules to terminate our programs,” said Freedom for Immigrants executive director Christina Fialho. “This case should remind us all that the Trump administration is not a law unto itself but rather accountable to the people and our Constitution.”
In a statement, ICE said it can’t comment on pending litigation. In court documents, lawyers for ICE maintained that the agency has the right to regulate phone access by detainees.
“At its core, this case is about an unapproved nonprofit organization that took over and continued to use a free and unmonitored pro bono extension number to facilitate calls with immigrant detainees,” they wrote.
During a hearing in Los Angeles last month, U.S. District Judge André Birotte Jr. laid out a timeline of events that could be perceived as retaliation by ICE.
In July 2013, Freedom for Immigrants published a column in the Huffington Post critical of ICE and the treatment of detainees in Orange County. Two days later, ICE shut down its visitation programs at three Los Angeles-area facilities.
That same summer, an affiliated organization warned ICE about alleged abuse at the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego. ICE shut down the organization’s visitation program at Otay Mesa in August 2013.
In July 2015, Freedom for Immigrants filed a complaint with the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties on behalf of immigrants detained at the Etowah County Detention Center in Alabama. Two weeks later, ICE and the local sheriff’s department terminated the organization’s visitation program at Etowah.
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In November 2017, the organization helped women at the West County Detention Facility in Northern California publish a letter complaining of inhumane treatment. Four months later, its visitation program was shut down.
In each of these instances and in others, the visitation programs were later reinstated by ICE. But Birotte said the timing was cause for concern.
“Is it just a coincidence that these things would happen in some instances 48 hours after criticism?” he asked Anna Dichter, an attorney representing ICE.
Freedom for Immigrants had held a toll-free immigrant detention hotline since 2013, when it helped an affiliated organization — Friends of Miami-Dade Detainees — start a visitation program in Florida. Some months, volunteers who staffed the phone lines received more than 10,000 calls from detainees around the country, many of them held in rural facilities and with no money to call friends or family. They connect immigrants to lawyers, help them gather necessary documents for their case, and assist them in filing complaints about rights violations and abuse.
Toll-free numbers for pro bono attorneys and organizations are approved by the Executive Office for Immigration Review, which oversees the immigration courts. The numbers are extensions issued by the phone service provider, Talton Communications, because 1-800 numbers don’t work from within detention facilities. Detainees must pay for calls to all other numbers. Unlike criminal inmates, immigrant detainees are not entitled to free legal counsel or a free phone call.
In November 2018, ICE restricted the Freedom for Immigrants hotline to seven detention facilities in Florida. In an email afterward, an ICE employee explained that the agency had recently completed an audit for the pro bono system to ensure that each facility was being served by local organizations.
Dichter said during the court hearing that Freedom for Immigrants wasn’t listed on the original request for the hotline and that there never was any indication the goal was to reach detainees beyond Florida.
“The whole point of this system is to be based on locality,” she said. Freedom for Immigrants “benefited off a glitch in the system, which DHS corrected.”
But letters and emails submitted as part of the lawsuit also make it clear that ICE knew the two organizations were linked. The first letter, dated Aug. 5, 2013, requested ICE’s approval for the visitation program at a Miami-area detention facility and the establishment of a hotline. It was signed by Fialho, the director of Freedom for Immigrants, and local advocates.
Then the hotline was featured as part of the immigrant detention plot during the seventh season of the Netflix series “Orange Is the New Black,” which was released July 26.
On Aug. 7, ICE shut it down.
At the time, ICE had argued that organizations found in violation of rules against three-way calling and call forwarding would be removed from the pro bono platform. But evidence submitted to the court suggested that officials were aware of call forwarding as early as December 2013.
Dichter said EOIR had amended regulations in 2015 to clarify what types of organizations could be on the list. Then last summer, ICE standardized its application process. Now hotlines must be re-approved every three years and those no longer appearing on the EOIR list are removed from the system. Because Freedom for Immigrants isn’t a legal service provider itself, she said, the organization doesn’t qualify to remain on the list.
Birotte, the judge, asked Dichter for a written memo or policy establishing those standards. She didn’t have one. But she said several other organizations that never published negative articles about ICE also had their numbers removed from the hotline system.
Since the shutdown, Freedom for Immigrants has spent nearly $20,000 to continue facilitating calls to a 10-digit phone number, which are monitored.
Moez Kaba, an attorney representing the organization, acknowledged that the federal government has the right to regulate the telephone lines it provides. But he said ICE broke the law by choosing to audit the organization six years after approving the hotline and following what he called a systemic pattern of retaliation.
“People are desperate to report their conditions and their abuse,” he said.


latimes--2020-02-12--All travelers from mainland China being monitored for coronavirus in L.A. County

Los Angeles County public health nurses are closely monitoring all residents who have recently traveled to mainland China , regardless of whether they have any symptoms of the new strain of coronavirus , according to the county ’ s top health official .
More than 1,000 people have been assigned a public health nurse and asked to self-isolate and not to go to work or school for 14 days , Department of Public Health director Barbara Ferrer told the Board of Supervisors on Monday .
“ This is an aggressive effort to touch all the people who ’ ve come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The health department is also reaching out to employers and schools and asking them to accommodate the travelers with flexible leave and the ability to manage tasks from home .
“ It ’ s a very small number of people ... but nonetheless those people need all of our support , ” Ferrer said .
Federal directives affecting travelers went into effect Feb. 2 , and notices about symptoms to watch for were posted two and a half weeks ago .
Ferrer said any traveler who has any concerns and was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be assigned a Department of Public Health contact .
Supervisor Hilda Solis said she was worried about discrimination and anxiety caused by the pandemic , especially for residents with family in China .
“ So many fears have been cultivated based on racial profiling , ” Solis said .
The coronavirus — now dubbed COVID-19 by the World Health Organization — was first identified by the Chinese government on Dec. 31 , when authorities indicated an unknown pneumonia variant was affecting residents of Wuhan in the Hubei province .
Globally , more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and 1,018 people — two of them outside mainland China — have died as a result .
“ The numbers are staggering , ” Ferrer said , but she stressed that the patient total remains low in the United States , with 13 confirmed cases nationwide .
Of those , seven are in California , including one each in Los Angeles , Orange and San Diego counties .
All but two of the 13 U.S. cases are people who had traveled to China .
The others are spouses of travelers .
Less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are outside China .
Ferrer said county public health workers are coordinating on “ multiple calls every day with our federal and state partners , ” including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Defense .
She acknowledged that additional cases are likely , given continuing travel from China .
Ferrer also noted that the majority of deaths from COVID-19 , as with the flu , are related to an underlying health condition .
In China , an additional issue seems to be that people are having trouble accessing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from China is limited and the government there has refused help from the CDC .
“ In the Hubei province , they are overwhelmed with people who are sick , ” Ferrer said .
Foreign nationals who have recently traveled to China are no longer allowed entry to the United States .
U.S. citizens and family members who travel from China are allowed to enter the country only through one of 11 airports nationwide , including Los Angeles International Airport , where they are screened into one of three groups .
Those with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very small number , according to Ferrer — are transported to a medical facility for further screening and testing .
Those who have been in Hubei province , where Wuhan is , or who have had close contact with someone else with the virus are subject to mandatory quarantine at one of four American military bases , including March Air Reserve Base in Riverside and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego .
A group of 195 people held at March were released from a 14-day quarantine Tuesday morning .
None @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Officials at the base said two other travelers who passed through LAX and were brought to the base separately from the original group remain under quarantine .
U.S. citizens traveling from anywhere else in China who have not had close contact with the virus and show no symptoms are allowed to proceed to their final destination , where they are actively monitored by local health departments and told to stay away from the general public .
Airlines around the world continue to limit flights to China .
American Airlines has extended cancellations to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least April 23 .
Two cruise ships in Asia with more than 5,000 people onboard are stuck at sea .
On one , 135 passengers have tested positive for COVID-19 and are being quarantined on board .
On the other vessel , no cases of the virus have been confirmed , but the ship has been refused entry to ports in Japan , Taiwan and the Philippines .
The Board of Supervisors has requested a weekly update on the virus .

Sarah Chong, middle, who is visiting from Shanghai, and her family wear masks while shopping in San Gabriel on Jan. 29. She and her family are visiting the U.S. for a month.
Los Angeles County public health nurses are closely monitoring all residents who have recently traveled to mainland China, regardless of whether they have any symptoms of the new strain of coronavirus, according to the county’s top health official.
More than 1,000 people have been assigned a public health nurse and asked to self-isolate and not to go to work or school for 14 days, Department of Public Health director Barbara Ferrer told the Board of Supervisors on Monday.
“This is an aggressive effort to touch all the people who’ve come into L.A. County,” Ferrer said.
The health department is also reaching out to employers and schools and asking them to accommodate the travelers with flexible leave and the ability to manage tasks from home.
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“It’s a very small number of people ... but nonetheless those people need all of our support,” Ferrer said.
Federal directives affecting travelers went into effect Feb. 2, and notices about symptoms to watch for were posted two and a half weeks ago. Ferrer said any traveler who has any concerns and was not screened at an airport can call 211 to be assigned a Department of Public Health contact.
Supervisor Hilda Solis said she was worried about discrimination and anxiety caused by the pandemic, especially for residents with family in China.
“So many fears have been cultivated based on racial profiling,” Solis said.
The coronavirus — now dubbed COVID-19 by the World Health Organization — was first identified by the Chinese government on Dec. 31, when authorities indicated an unknown pneumonia variant was affecting residents of Wuhan in the Hubei province.
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Globally, more than 43,000 people have contracted the virus, and 1,018 people — two of them outside mainland China — have died as a result.
“The numbers are staggering,” Ferrer said, but she stressed that the patient total remains low in the United States, with 13 confirmed cases nationwide. Of those, seven are in California, including one each in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties.
All but two of the 13 U.S. cases are people who had traveled to China. The others are spouses of travelers. Less than 1% of confirmed cases worldwide are outside China.
Ferrer said county public health workers are coordinating on “multiple calls every day with our federal and state partners,” including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Defense.
She acknowledged that additional cases are likely, given continuing travel from China. Ferrer also noted that the majority of deaths from COVID-19, as with the flu, are related to an underlying health condition. In China, an additional issue seems to be that people are having trouble accessing care, she said, though information from China is limited and the government there has refused help from the CDC.
“In the Hubei province, they are overwhelmed with people who are sick,” Ferrer said.
Foreign nationals who have recently traveled to China are no longer allowed entry to the United States. U.S. citizens and family members who travel from China are allowed to enter the country only through one of 11 airports nationwide, including Los Angeles International Airport, where they are screened into one of three groups.
Those with symptoms of respiratory illness or fever — a very small number, according to Ferrer — are transported to a medical facility for further screening and testing.
Those who have been in Hubei province, where Wuhan is, or who have had close contact with someone else with the virus are subject to mandatory quarantine at one of four American military bases, including March Air Reserve Base in Riverside and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego.
A group of 195 people held at March were released from a 14-day quarantine Tuesday morning. None had tested positive for the virus. Officials at the base said two other travelers who passed through LAX and were brought to the base separately from the original group remain under quarantine.
U.S. citizens traveling from anywhere else in China who have not had close contact with the virus and show no symptoms are allowed to proceed to their final destination, where they are actively monitored by local health departments and told to stay away from the general public.
Airlines around the world continue to limit flights to China. American Airlines has extended cancellations to mainland China and Hong Kong through at least April 23. Two cruise ships in Asia with more than 5,000 people onboard are stuck at sea. On one, 135 passengers have tested positive for COVID-19 and are being quarantined on board. On the other vessel, no cases of the virus have been confirmed, but the ship has been refused entry to ports in Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines.
The Board of Supervisors has requested a weekly update on the virus.


latimes--2020-02-12--Four masked gunmen kill 2 men on porch of Van Nuys home, police say

Authorities are searching for four masked gunmen who killed two men outside a home in Van Nuys late Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ call reporting a shooting in the 15300 block of Wyandotte Street shortly before 11:30 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ said .
When they arrived , officers found two men suffering from gunshot wounds lying @ @ @ @ @ the home .
One victim was lying on top of the other , Lomeli said @ @ @ @ @ was not identified , was pronounced dead at the scene .
The second man , @ @ @ @ @ named , was taken to a hospital , where he died .
Both suffered gunshot @ @ @ @ @ authorities said .
Four men wearing masks and dark clothing fled the scene in a @ @ @ @ @ .
Detectives say there is no evidence the shooting was gang-related .
Authorities suspect the @ @ @ @ @ other .
Anyone with information is asked to call Los Angeles Police Department Det .
@ @ @ @ @ ) 374-1925 .

Authorities are searching for four masked gunmen who killed two men outside a home in Van Nuys late Tuesday.
Officers responded to a radio call reporting a shooting in the 15300 block of Wyandotte Street shortly before 11:30 p.m., LAPD Officer Lizeth Lomeli said.
When they arrived, officers found two men suffering from gunshot wounds lying on the front porch of the home. One victim was lying on top of the other, Lomeli said.
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One man, who was not identified, was pronounced dead at the scene. The second man, whom authorities also have not named, was taken to a hospital, where he died. Both suffered gunshot wounds to the head, authorities said.
Four men wearing masks and dark clothing fled the scene in a silver sedan before police arrived.
Detectives say there is no evidence the shooting was gang-related. Authorities suspect the victims and assailants knew each other.
Anyone with information is asked to call Los Angeles Police Department Det. Steve Castro at (818) 374-1925.


latimes--2020-02-12--'Where's your passport?' chant breaks out at prep basketball game in Santa Maria

A high school basketball game between two Central Section rivals took an ugly turn Tuesday night , as a chant from one of the student sections led to a confrontation between administrators from the schools .
Just before the final buzzer of St. Joseph ’ s 74-57 victory over visiting Righetti in the regular season finale for the two Santa Maria teams , some fans started chanting , “ Where ’ s your passport ?
” According to the Santa Maria Times , the chant came from the Righetti student section and was apparently directed toward St. Joseph players .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a racially diverse student population .
The boy ’ s basketball team ’ s roster includes one player from France and three from Puerto Rico .
A Santa Maria Times video of the incident St. Joseph principal Erinn Dougherty apparently confronting the fans over the chant and engaging in a heated exchange with a man identified as Righetti assistant principal Ted Lyon .
“ I did have an emotional reaction to that ” chant , Dougherty told The Los Angeles Times on Wednesday .
“ I have an Ethiopian daughter — and all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is personal to me.
” Dougherty said that the team has heard similar chants on the road but she had assured the players that she would not tolerate such behavior at home .
“ I want this school to be safe for my students , ” she said .
St. Joseph coach Tom Mott , who is also the school ’ s athletic director , told the Santa Maria Times immediately after the final buzzer , “ Anything our crowd or their crowd does is just part of the game.
” On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles Times that he wasn ’ t aware of the controversial cheer at the time he made that comment .
“ Obviously any type of inappropriate cheer by anybody isn ’ t something we welcome in our gym , ” he said .
“ Any type of racism , whether intended or not , has no place in our community.
” Dougherty said she holds “ no animosity ” toward Lyon or anyone else at Righetti , a public school located across the street from St. Joseph .
“ I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from this incident and be a stronger community , ” she said .
Administrators from Righetti have not responded to messages from The Times .

A high school basketball game between two Central Section rivals took an ugly turn Tuesday night, as a chant from one of the student sections led to a confrontation between administrators from the schools.
Just before the final buzzer of St. Joseph’s 74-57 victory over visiting Righetti in the regular season finale for the two Santa Maria teams, some fans started chanting, “Where’s your passport?” According to the Santa Maria Times, the chant came from the Righetti student section and was apparently directed toward St. Joseph players.
St. Joseph is a private school with a racially diverse student population. The boy’s basketball team’s roster includes one player from France and three from Puerto Rico.
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Kind of a disappointing ending to a good game as the visiting student section chanted “where’s your passport?”, apparently at SJHS players. Administrators from both schools exchanged words. There was a charged atmosphere throughout the contest. #santamariatimes pic.twitter.com/xCQU7J5INA — Joe Bailey (@JBaileySMSports) February 12, 2020
A Santa Maria Times video of the incident St. Joseph principal Erinn Dougherty apparently confronting the fans over the chant and engaging in a heated exchange with a man identified as Righetti assistant principal Ted Lyon.
“I did have an emotional reaction to that” chant, Dougherty told The Los Angeles Times on Wednesday. “I have an Ethiopian daughter — and all these students are my children — so it is personal to me.”
Dougherty said that the team has heard similar chants on the road but she had assured the players that she would not tolerate such behavior at home.
“I want this school to be safe for my students,” she said.
St. Joseph coach Tom Mott, who is also the school’s athletic director, told the Santa Maria Times immediately after the final buzzer, “Anything our crowd or their crowd does is just part of the game.”
On Wednesday morning, Mott clarified to The Los Angeles Times that he wasn’t aware of the controversial cheer at the time he made that comment.
“Obviously any type of inappropriate cheer by anybody isn’t something we welcome in our gym,” he said. “Any type of racism, whether intended or not, has no place in our community.”
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Dougherty said she holds “no animosity” toward Lyon or anyone else at Righetti, a public school located across the street from St. Joseph.
“I’m just hoping we can all move forward from this incident and be a stronger community,” she said.
Administrators from Righetti have not responded to messages from The Times.


latimes--2020-02-12--Two residents injured, 100 displaced as fire rips through O.C. apartment complex

A fire tore through a two-story apartment complex in Tustin early Wednesday , triggering a large response from firefighters and injuring two people .
The blaze broke out about 3 a.m. in a downstairs units of the complex in the 15700 block of Williams Street , authorities said .
Crews arrived to find heavy smoke pouring from the building and flames licking up into the second story of the structure , Orange County Fire Authority Capt .
Tony Bommarito said .
Some residents got out on their own .
Firefighters searched the building for any remaining tenants , but were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the roof collapsed .
“ It was an extremely challenging fire , ” Bommarito said .
After a nearly five-hour battle , about 120 firefighters were able to knock down the blaze .
About 100 residents were displaced and 38 units were damaged .
No firefighters were injured .
Two residents were treated for smoke inhalation , one at the scene and the other at a hospital , Bommarito said .
Authorities had initially said that two people were taken to a hospital .
Video from the scene showed residents — some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dark outside the burning complex .
Firefighters were working later Wednesday to locate all the building ’ s residents .
One person who was not accounted for might not have been at home when the fire started , Bommarito said .
The cause of the fire was under investigation .

Arson investigators at the scene of a five-alarm fire that caused the roof of a building in a two-story apartment complex in Tustin to collapse. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
Firefighters start to mop-up after battling a five-alarm fire at an apartment complex in Tustin. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
A fire tore through a two-story apartment complex in Tustin early Wednesday, triggering a large response from firefighters and injuring two people.
The blaze broke out about 3 a.m. in a downstairs units of the complex in the 15700 block of Williams Street, authorities said. Crews arrived to find heavy smoke pouring from the building and flames licking up into the second story of the structure, Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Tony Bommarito said.
Some residents got out on their own. Firefighters searched the building for any remaining tenants, but were forced to retreat shortly before 3:30 a.m. when the roof collapsed.
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“It was an extremely challenging fire,” Bommarito said.
After a nearly five-hour battle, about 120 firefighters were able to knock down the blaze. About 100 residents were displaced and 38 units were damaged. No firefighters were injured.
Two residents were treated for smoke inhalation, one at the scene and the other at a hospital, Bommarito said. Authorities had initially said that two people were taken to a hospital.
Tustin Structure Fire: 3:01 am. 3 alarm fire at 15751 Williams. Two story apartment building. Heavy fire with roof collapse at 3:25. All firefighters accounted for. Defensive fire attack. 80 firefighters onscene. pic.twitter.com/N48sywgMya — OCFA PIO (@OCFA_PIO) February 12, 2020
Video from the scene showed residents — some wrapped in blankets — standing in the dark outside the burning complex.
Firefighters were working later Wednesday to locate all the building’s residents. One person who was not accounted for might not have been at home when the fire started, Bommarito said.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.


latimes--2020-02-12--Lopez: The hellish experience of getting your Real ID at the DMV: Long lines are just the beginning

The line stretched out the door , across the front of the building and around the corner , like a snake entering one of the circles of hell .
I arrived at the Glendale DMV office at 12:54 p.m. to get my Real ID , a document we ’ ve all got ta have because apparently we ’ ve been carrying Fake ID .
I don ’ t know why I bothered noting the time .
What ’ s the point ?
Time stalls at the DMV .
The planet stops spinning .
You know in advance that you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your first day in the jury assembly room .
The DMV has always suffered from an incurable disease .
Simple procedures take on epic complications .
Computers crash .
New directors stride in confidently and leave in shame , stricken by the curse .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom asked tech entrepreneur Steve Gordon to take over last summer , and in a moment of weakness , Gordon said yes .
When I moved to a new house three years ago I applied online for a license with my new address .
No response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nothing .
Finally , when I applied to renew my license last summer , somebody woke up and sent me a new one .
That was when I realized I ’ d have to replace it soon to comply with Real ID .
To the surprise of no one , the added burden of registering millions of California drivers for the switch to Real ID is not going well , as Patrick McGreevy reported .
Only a quarter of the state ’ s 27 million drivers have made the switch , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more by Oct. 1 .
In fairness to California , other states are way behind too .
The crush has created nightmares for DMV visitors whether they need a Real ID or not .
My friend and colleague Chris Reynolds just wrote about three agonizing trips to the L.A. DMV office to have his daughter take the learner ’ s permit test .
Yeah , it took three trips .
In the crowded office , they sat on the floor and waited hours , only to be sent home when computers fritzed out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ website to make an appointment on Monday , I couldn ’ t get one .
The website kept telling me no appointments were available for months to come , even though some people had told me they were able to make appointments easily .
Your second option , which the DMV has recommended , is to simply drop in to an office near you without an appointment .
You can check wait times on the agency ’ s website , and when I did , several were running at 1 hour and 40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Glendale office said the wait time was just 41 minutes , so I hit the road .
I wasn ’ t sure I even wanted a Real ID license , and I ’ m not convinced we need them at all .
The federal mandate , an act of Congress going back to 2005 , was a response to fears of global terrorism .
It aims to provide extra layers of proof as to legal status , but there ’ s a police state feel to the whole thing .
Show us your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with you at all times .
Beginning in October , a regular driver ’ s license won ’ t be acceptable ID to board domestic flights .
You ’ ll still be able to fly if you flash your passport , but come on .
You ’ d need a passport to fly from Burbank to Oakland ?
Outside the Glendale office , at least two dozen people were in front of me in a line that moved so slowly we were passed by caterpillars .
Just up ahead of me was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big image of Johnny Cash flipping the bird .
The longer we waited , the more I wanted that shirt .
It took 40 minutes to get to the front door , and once inside , I was shattered by the realization that my destination was still a long way off .
I was only in purgatory .
Hell was another 50 feet and 30 minutes away .
The woman behind me sneezed .
The baby in front of me cried , and I wanted to also when I realized this was only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we could wait in another line .
I could see the graduates of my line up ahead , about 70 of them , sitting glumly in a staging area waiting for their numbers to be called .
They looked like their dogs had just died , or like they were in the bowels of a ship they hoped would sink .
Anything to end the misery .
I knew I didn ’ t have the time to wait , nor , it turned out , did I have all the voluminous required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go ahead and fill out an application for my Real ID and return later .
I said OK but to be honest I was thinking about moving to Canada .
Ben Evered and his brother Kris told me they had waited two hours only to learn they wouldn ’ t be able to get the Real ID cards they ’ d come for .
Their driver ’ s licenses were stolen in a car burglary , so they brought passports and other documents but were told they ’ d only qualify for regular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a little confusing , ” said Ben , who couldn ’ t comprehend how he was able to qualify for a passport but not a Real ID driver ’ s license .
“ It ’ s Kafkaesque.
” On Tuesday morning , a day after finding no DMV appointments available , suddenly appointments were available in various locations .
I guess the latest computer glitch had been resolved .
But I wanted to try walking into another office without an appointment , so I checked the DMV site to see what documents would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of identity , and no , your valid , current driver ’ s license is not acceptable .
A birth certificate or passport will suffice , as will other documents .
Then you need either a Social Security card , a pay stub with your Social Security number on it or a W-2 .
And then you need two proofs of residency , which can include a rental agreement , a tax return or a utility bill .
For a lot of people , these documents can be hard to produce , copy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a huge inconvenience to take a day off work or school to put the whole package together and jump through hoops at the DMV .
Is there not a better way ?
And with data hacking so commonplace , do we really want to turn our taxes , pay stubs , utility bills and other personal documents over to an agency with a history of computer breakdowns and scandalous incompetence ?
I got to the Lincoln Heights DMV office at 10:25 Tuesday morning .
The line outside wasn ’ t as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been .
I got through the first stages of the process in a half hour or so .
While waiting to jump the next hurdle , I chatted with Kenny Sylvain , a union organizer who said he didn ’ t want to have to take his passport with him on every domestic flight , so he was opting for the Real ID .
Javier Covarubias and his wife , Delia , had a day off from their jobs — he ’ s a butcher and she ’ s a grocery store manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Real ID chore .
Javier said he thought Real ID was “ a move toward disenfranchisement , ” suggesting that having to produce so many documents reminded him of states that use such tactics to suppress voting rights .
Javier told me that for the past few years , he ’ s carried his passport with him as a matter of routine .
You never know when you might get stopped by ICE , he said , just because of how you look .
It took me about an hour and 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was told my Real ID will arrive by mail within a couple of weeks .
It cost $ 30 , by the way .
Multiply that by millions of drivers who will soon be standing in line , and it ’ s not a bad racket .

The line stretched out the door, across the front of the building and around the corner, like a snake entering one of the circles of hell.
I arrived at the Glendale DMV office at 12:54 p.m. to get my Real ID, a document we’ve all gotta have because apparently we’ve been carrying Fake ID.
I don’t know why I bothered noting the time. What’s the point? Time stalls at the DMV. The planet stops spinning. You know in advance that you’re entering a time warp, like your first day in the jury assembly room.
The DMV has always suffered from an incurable disease. Simple procedures take on epic complications. Computers crash. New directors stride in confidently and leave in shame, stricken by the curse. Gov. Gavin Newsom asked tech entrepreneur Steve Gordon to take over last summer, and in a moment of weakness, Gordon said yes.
Advertisement
Pray for him.
When I moved to a new house three years ago I applied online for a license with my new address. No response. So I tried by mail. Nothing. Finally, when I applied to renew my license last summer, somebody woke up and sent me a new one. That was when I realized I’d have to replace it soon to comply with Real ID.
To the surprise of no one, the added burden of registering millions of California drivers for the switch to Real ID is not going well, as Patrick McGreevy reported. Only a quarter of the state’s 27 million drivers have made the switch, and the DMV has to somehow process many millions more by Oct. 1. In fairness to California, other states are way behind too.
The crush has created nightmares for DMV visitors whether they need a Real ID or not. My friend and colleague Chris Reynolds just wrote about three agonizing trips to the L.A. DMV office to have his daughter take the learner’s permit test. Yeah, it took three trips. In the crowded office, they sat on the floor and waited hours, only to be sent home when computers fritzed out.
When I went to the DMV website to make an appointment on Monday, I couldn’t get one. The website kept telling me no appointments were available for months to come, even though some people had told me they were able to make appointments easily.
Your second option, which the DMV has recommended, is to simply drop in to an office near you without an appointment. You can check wait times on the agency’s website, and when I did, several were running at 1 hour and 40 minutes. No thanks. But the Glendale office said the wait time was just 41 minutes, so I hit the road.
I wasn’t sure I even wanted a Real ID license, and I’m not convinced we need them at all. The federal mandate, an act of Congress going back to 2005, was a response to fears of global terrorism. It aims to provide extra layers of proof as to legal status, but there’s a police state feel to the whole thing. Show us your papers, please. And keep them with you at all times.
Advertisement
Beginning in October, a regular driver’s license won’t be acceptable ID to board domestic flights. You’ll still be able to fly if you flash your passport, but come on. You’d need a passport to fly from Burbank to Oakland?
Outside the Glendale office, at least two dozen people were in front of me in a line that moved so slowly we were passed by caterpillars. Just up ahead of me was a guy who wore a shirt with a big image of Johnny Cash flipping the bird.
The longer we waited, the more I wanted that shirt. It took 40 minutes to get to the front door, and once inside, I was shattered by the realization that my destination was still a long way off. I was only in purgatory. Hell was another 50 feet and 30 minutes away.
The woman behind me sneezed. The baby in front of me cried, and I wanted to also when I realized this was only the line for getting a number so that we could wait in another line.
I could see the graduates of my line up ahead, about 70 of them, sitting glumly in a staging area waiting for their numbers to be called. They looked like their dogs had just died, or like they were in the bowels of a ship they hoped would sink. Anything to end the misery.
Business The Real ID deadline is really coming. Should airlines warn you? The TSA will require fliers to have a Real ID, passport or military ID, starting Oct. 1. But 99 million Americans don’t have any of these and airlines are doing little to notify fliers.
I knew I didn’t have the time to wait, nor, it turned out, did I have all the voluminous required documents. So they told me to go ahead and fill out an application for my Real ID and return later. I said OK but to be honest I was thinking about moving to Canada.
Ben Evered and his brother Kris told me they had waited two hours only to learn they wouldn’t be able to get the Real ID cards they’d come for. Their driver’s licenses were stolen in a car burglary, so they brought passports and other documents but were told they’d only qualify for regular licenses.
“It’s all a little confusing,” said Ben, who couldn’t comprehend how he was able to qualify for a passport but not a Real ID driver’s license. “It’s Kafkaesque.”
On Tuesday morning, a day after finding no DMV appointments available, suddenly appointments were available in various locations. I guess the latest computer glitch had been resolved. But I wanted to try walking into another office without an appointment, so I checked the DMV site to see what documents would be required.
The first is proof of identity, and no, your valid, current driver’s license is not acceptable.
Paging Mr. Kafka.
A birth certificate or passport will suffice, as will other documents.
Then you need either a Social Security card, a pay stub with your Social Security number on it or a W-2.
And then you need two proofs of residency, which can include a rental agreement, a tax return or a utility bill.
For a lot of people, these documents can be hard to produce, copy or print, and for others it’s a huge inconvenience to take a day off work or school to put the whole package together and jump through hoops at the DMV.
Travel & Experiences Here’s the fix from the DMV for your Real ID driver’s license The fix for those early adopters of the Real ID driver’s license is coming soon to a mailbox near you, the California Department of Motor Vehicles has announced.
Is there not a better way? And with data hacking so commonplace, do we really want to turn our taxes, pay stubs, utility bills and other personal documents over to an agency with a history of computer breakdowns and scandalous incompetence?
I got to the Lincoln Heights DMV office at 10:25 Tuesday morning. The line outside wasn’t as long as the one in Glendale had been. I got through the first stages of the process in a half hour or so. While waiting to jump the next hurdle, I chatted with Kenny Sylvain, a union organizer who said he didn’t want to have to take his passport with him on every domestic flight, so he was opting for the Real ID.
Javier Covarubias and his wife, Delia, had a day off from their jobs — he’s a butcher and she’s a grocery store manager — so they decided to knock out the Real ID chore. Javier said he thought Real ID was “a move toward disenfranchisement,” suggesting that having to produce so many documents reminded him of states that use such tactics to suppress voting rights.
Javier told me that for the past few years, he’s carried his passport with him as a matter of routine. You never know when you might get stopped by ICE, he said, just because of how you look.
It took me about an hour and 15 minutes to complete my application, and I was told my Real ID will arrive by mail within a couple of weeks.
It cost $30, by the way. Multiply that by millions of drivers who will soon be standing in line, and it’s not a bad racket.