latimes--2020-01-15--Jet fuel dumped on schools, children sparks questions and outrage

At Park Avenue Elementary School in Cudahy , Josue Burgos was outside in PE class when he felt drops landing on him and looked to the sky for rain .
He did not see storm clouds .
He did see a jetliner flying ominously low .
He and his classmates realized the plane was dropping fuel on them and ran for cover .
At least 20 children were hit by the jet propellant Tuesday morning when Delta Flight 89 abruptly turned back to LAX shortly after taking off for Shanghai due to an engine problem and dumped fuel to reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Normally , pilots offload fuel at higher altitudes so that it evaporates before hitting the ground .
This time , the Boeing 777 was 12 miles from the runway and low enough to shower the school and adjacent neighborhoods .
The Los Angeles County Fire Department said more than 70 firefighters and paramedics responded to the scene , and 17 children and nine adults were treated for minor injuries .
Two classes had been outside when the jet passed over .
No one was taken to hospitals .
In neighboring South Gate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six others at San Gabriel Elementary were affected , as was one adult at Graham Elementary School .
Josue said his clothes were soaked .
“ It smelled bad , ” he said .
Sixth-grader Miguel Cervantes was hit by a small amount of the fuel on his arms and clothes .
“ I saw an airplane , and I thought smoke was coming out , ” Miguel said .
“ Then when it got closer , I knew it was gas because a little bit fell on me.
” Miguel ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the events and rushed over to Park Avenue .
She said she “ washed him with soap and changed his clothes and he seems fine.
” But the toxic smell — particularly in an area where industry has a long history of contaminating neighborhoods — caused alarm .
“ You should have been here when it first happened , ” said Francisco Javier , who lives across the street from Park Avenue Elementary , two hours after the fuel hit the ground .
“ You couldn ’ t breathe it was so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but not as bad as it was.
” Javier was careful not to inhale too deeply , and relieved that his first-grade son was inside his classroom when the fuel hit .
After assessing the situation at school , he headed back into his apartment to close and lock all the windows .
A block away , Freddie Contreras looked out his window and saw what he thought looked like glass crashing down outside his apartment .
Contreras raced outside , only to get hit by a noxious odor — coming from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Honda Civic , all doused in fuel .
“ I didn ’ t know what I was supposed to do , and I didn ’ t know what was going on , but I knew it was gas or something toxic , ” he said .
“ It ’ s the fuel , ” Contreras said .
“ I want to leave , but I don ’ t know if I can drive my car .
I don ’ t know if it ’ s safe.
” Ross Aimer , chief executive of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was very rare and used only in case of emergencies if pilots have to reach a safe landing weight , as was the case in Tuesday ’ s incident .
“ Most pilots choose not to dump fuel unless the emergency really dictates it , ” Aimer said .
Among the emergencies would be landing gear that is not functioning or would otherwise make it hard to control the plane .
When pilots dump fuel , they typically try to do so above 10,000 feet and over water , Aimer said .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the final stage of dumping fuel as the plane was descending toward LAX .
He added that , although he didn ’ t know what emergency prompted the pilot to turn back , there was a good chance he or she made an error .
“ I don ’ t remember anyone dumping fuel over population , ” he said .
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the matter .
“ There are special fuel-dumping procedures for aircraft operating into and out of any major U.S. airport , ” officials said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fuel to be dumped over designated unpopulated areas , typically at higher altitudes so the fuel atomizes and disperses before it reaches the ground.
” The Delta jet was carrying more than 140 passengers and landed safely at LAX after shedding the weight just before noon .
Police cars trailed it down the runway , sirens wailing .
Cudahy officials demanded answers about why the fuel was dropped over the school .
Newly appointed Mayor Elizabeth Alcantar said the school was next door to Cudahy City Hall .
“ I ’ m very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phone interview .
“ This is an elementary school , these are small children.
” The incident rattled the community .
Environmental injustices have long taken place in southeast Los Angeles County .
For years , activists and residents fought for the closure of a battery recycling plant in the industrial city of Vernon because it emitted cancer-causing arsenic and lead , a potent neurotoxin , into nearby cities .
It was only five years ago that the plant was closed .
In the 1990s , Park Avenue Elementary School was closed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeped from the ground .
The school was built on an old city dump site that contained contaminated soil with pockets of the toxic sludge .
“ Why is it always our communities having to deal with the brunt of these issues ?
” Alcantar said .
The jet fuel incident has raised questions about environmental safety and the flight path over Cudahy and other cities .
“ Sadly , our entire community has been adversely impacted by this incident , including dozens of children , ” Cudahy City Councilman Jack Guerrero said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full federal investigation into the matter , and expect full accountability from responsible parties.
” Times staff writers Samantha Masunaga , Jaclyn Cosgrove and Joe Mozingo contributed to this report .

Colleen Shalby, Ruben Vives, Matt Stiles, Andrew J. Campa

At Park Avenue Elementary School in Cudahy, Josue Burgos was outside in PE class when he felt drops landing on him and looked to the sky for rain.
He did not see storm clouds. He did see a jetliner flying ominously low.
He and his classmates realized the plane was dropping fuel on them and ran for cover.
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At least 20 children were hit by the jet propellant Tuesday morning when Delta Flight 89 abruptly turned back to LAX shortly after taking off for Shanghai due to an engine problem and dumped fuel to reduce weight before landing, officials said.
Normally, pilots offload fuel at higher altitudes so that it evaporates before hitting the ground. This time, the Boeing 777 was 12 miles from the runway and low enough to shower the school and adjacent neighborhoods.
In this image from video, Delta Air Lines Flight 89 to Shanghai, China dumps fuel over Los Angeles before returning to Los Angeles International Airport for an emergency landing. (Matt Hartman/Associated Press)
The Los Angeles County Fire Department said more than 70 firefighters and paramedics responded to the scene, and 17 children and nine adults were treated for minor injuries. Two classes had been outside when the jet passed over. No one was taken to hospitals.
In neighboring South Gate, six people at Tweedy Elementary School and six others at San Gabriel Elementary were affected, as was one adult at Graham Elementary School.
Josue said his clothes were soaked. “It smelled bad,” he said.
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Sixth-grader Miguel Cervantes was hit by a small amount of the fuel on his arms and clothes. “I saw an airplane, and I thought smoke was coming out,” Miguel said. “Then when it got closer, I knew it was gas because a little bit fell on me.”
Miguel’s mother, Ana, received a call about the events and rushed over to Park Avenue. She said she “washed him with soap and changed his clothes and he seems fine.”
But the toxic smell — particularly in an area where industry has a long history of contaminating neighborhoods — caused alarm.
Student Marianna Torres, 11, center, cries as she evacuates Park Avenue Elementary School after jet fuel fell on the school in Cudahy. (Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press)
“You should have been here when it first happened,” said Francisco Javier, who lives across the street from Park Avenue Elementary, two hours after the fuel hit the ground. “You couldn’t breathe it was so bad. It’s still strong, but not as bad as it was.”
Javier was careful not to inhale too deeply, and relieved that his first-grade son was inside his classroom when the fuel hit. After assessing the situation at school, he headed back into his apartment to close and lock all the windows.
A block away, Freddie Contreras looked out his window and saw what he thought looked like glass crashing down outside his apartment.
Contreras raced outside, only to get hit by a noxious odor — coming from the roof, street and his white Honda Civic, all doused in fuel.
“I didn’t know what I was supposed to do, and I didn’t know what was going on, but I knew it was gas or something toxic,” he said.
It gave his sister-in-law Yesenia Pantaja a headache.
× A Delta jet headed to LAX for emergency landing dumped fuel on a school playground, causing skin irritation to 20 children and nine adults.
“It’s the fuel,” Contreras said. “I want to leave, but I don’t know if I can drive my car. I don’t know if it’s safe.”
Ross Aimer, chief executive of Aero Consulting Experts, said fuel dumping was very rare and used only in case of emergencies if pilots have to reach a safe landing weight, as was the case in Tuesday’s incident.
“Most pilots choose not to dump fuel unless the emergency really dictates it,” Aimer said.
Among the emergencies would be landing gear that is not functioning or would otherwise make it hard to control the plane.
When pilots dump fuel, they typically try to do so above 10,000 feet and over water, Aimer said.
He said the pilot might have been in the final stage of dumping fuel as the plane was descending toward LAX. He added that, although he didn’t know what emergency prompted the pilot to turn back, there was a good chance he or she made an error.
“I don’t remember anyone dumping fuel over population,” he said.
× Communications between air traffic controllers and the Delta pilot raise questions about why fuel was dumped over Cudahy roughly 20 minutes into the flight.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the matter.
“There are special fuel-dumping procedures for aircraft operating into and out of any major U.S. airport,” officials said in a statement. “These procedures call for fuel to be dumped over designated unpopulated areas, typically at higher altitudes so the fuel atomizes and disperses before it reaches the ground.”
The Delta jet was carrying more than 140 passengers and landed safely at LAX after shedding the weight just before noon. Police cars trailed it down the runway, sirens wailing.
Cudahy officials demanded answers about why the fuel was dropped over the school.
Newly appointed Mayor Elizabeth Alcantar said the school was next door to Cudahy City Hall.
“I’m very upset,” she said in a phone interview. “This is an elementary school, these are small children.”
The incident rattled the community. Environmental injustices have long taken place in southeast Los Angeles County. For years, activists and residents fought for the closure of a battery recycling plant in the industrial city of Vernon because it emitted cancer-causing arsenic and lead, a potent neurotoxin, into nearby cities.
It was only five years ago that the plant was closed.
In the 1990s, Park Avenue Elementary School was closed for eight months because a tar-like petroleum substance seeped from the ground. The school was built on an old city dump site that contained contaminated soil with pockets of the toxic sludge.
“Why is it always our communities having to deal with the brunt of these issues?” Alcantar said.
The jet fuel incident has raised questions about environmental safety and the flight path over Cudahy and other cities.
“Sadly, our entire community has been adversely impacted by this incident, including dozens of children,” Cudahy City Councilman Jack Guerrero said. “I am calling for a full federal investigation into the matter, and expect full accountability from responsible parties.”
Times staff writers Samantha Masunaga, Jaclyn Cosgrove and Joe Mozingo contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-01-16--L.A. homicides are down again. Police credit thousands of extra patrol hours

The Los Angeles Police Department had extra boots on the street last year — more than 300,000 patrol hours of them .
It ’ s a strategy that city officials say has helped continue to drive down Los Angeles ’ violent crime .
Homicides dropped from 260 in 2018 to 253 in 2019 — the 10th consecutive year the city saw fewer than 300 homicides .
“ We needed to increase the instances that officers and the community could work together , ” Chief Michel Moore said Wednesday at a news conference at the agency ’ s downtown headquarters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical.
” Los Angeles is much safer than in previous decades .
In 1992 , almost 90,000 violent crimes were reported .
Homicides rose to almost 1,100 that year before dropping sharply in the 1990s and continuing to do so in the 2000s .
The number of homicides began to grow in 2014 , with 2017 marking the first decrease .
Last year , the LAPD added 200 personnel to the field , said Moore , who explained that the increase has proved essential despite coming at the cost of other resources .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eric Garcetti supports .
About 1.3 million hours of patrol have been added every year since 2016 , he said .
Technological advancements have also freed officers to spend more time in communities and less time on paperwork .
“ We all know the most important number is the number of hours that police are spending patrolling and protecting , not filling out reports , ” Garcetti said .
Emily Owens , a professor of criminology at UC Irvine , said there is scientific evidence suggesting that crime falls when police departments place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there still needs to be more research into whether reallocating officers ’ work hours from filling out paperwork to patrolling the street substantially reduces crime .
“ Those specific minutes where an officer doesn ’ t have to fill out paperwork , what are they now doing in those minutes ?
Are they really finding themselves in situations where they are truly reducing crime ?
” she said .
Besides homicides , Moore and other officials touted other reductions in crime and violent encounters .
Total gang crime dipped 6.3 % , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shootings dropped from 33 in 2018 to 26 in 2019 , a historical low .
“ We are pleased to hear about the numbers of officer-involved shootings and use of force going down , ” said Eileen Decker , president of the Board of Police Commissioners .
But she added : “ We ’ re not satisfied with these numbers .
We ’ re going to work diligently in conducting our oversight.
” Garcetti also credited the citywide crime reductions to the agency ’ s outreach in communities that experience high levels of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Community Safety Partnership , a community policing model in housing developments and neighborhoods such as South Park where officers build relationships with residents .
These areas , he said , are seeing fewer violent and property crimes .
At the news conference , the chair of the L.A. City Council ’ s Public Safety Committee , Monica Rodriguez , announced that the city was about to launch a community safety partnership in Pacoima ’ s San Fernando Gardens .
Anne Tremblay , the director of the mayor ’ s Office of Gang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program ’ s community intervention workers responded to more than 500 violent incidents in 2019 and invested more than 90,000 hours of peacekeeping activities .
Last year saw a 5 % increase in youth and families served by the program ’ s providers .
“ This work matters and it ’ s making a difference , ” she said .
Areas that the agency has to work on , Moore said , include reducing hit-and-run traffic fatalities in South L.A. , which has the highest number citywide .
The department is also taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Starting this month , Moore said , supervisors in the agency ’ s gang units will pick videos from officers ’ body-worn cameras to audit .
“ For 2020 , we will invest in that time and energy to identify if there ’ s any outliers , ” he said .

The Los Angeles Police Department had extra boots on the street last year — more than 300,000 patrol hours of them.
It’s a strategy that city officials say has helped continue to drive down Los Angeles’ violent crime. Homicides dropped from 260 in 2018 to 253 in 2019 — the 10th consecutive year the city saw fewer than 300 homicides.
“We needed to increase the instances that officers and the community could work together,” Chief Michel Moore said Wednesday at a news conference at the agency’s downtown headquarters. “The prioritization of field work was critical.”
Los Angeles is much safer than in previous decades. In 1992, almost 90,000 violent crimes were reported. Homicides rose to almost 1,100 that year before dropping sharply in the 1990s and continuing to do so in the 2000s. The number of homicides began to grow in 2014, with 2017 marking the first decrease.
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Last year, the LAPD added 200 personnel to the field, said Moore, who explained that the increase has proved essential despite coming at the cost of other resources.
It’s a decision that Mayor Eric Garcetti supports. About 1.3 million hours of patrol have been added every year since 2016, he said. Technological advancements have also freed officers to spend more time in communities and less time on paperwork.
“We all know the most important number is the number of hours that police are spending patrolling and protecting, not filling out reports,” Garcetti said.
Emily Owens, a professor of criminology at UC Irvine, said there is scientific evidence suggesting that crime falls when police departments place officers in high crime areas. But there still needs to be more research into whether reallocating officers’ work hours from filling out paperwork to patrolling the street substantially reduces crime.
“Those specific minutes where an officer doesn’t have to fill out paperwork, what are they now doing in those minutes? Are they really finding themselves in situations where they are truly reducing crime?” she said.
Besides homicides, Moore and other officials touted other reductions in crime and violent encounters. Total gang crime dipped 6.3%, and property crime decreased 7.4%.
Advertisement
Officer-involved shootings dropped from 33 in 2018 to 26 in 2019, a historical low.
“We are pleased to hear about the numbers of officer-involved shootings and use of force going down,” said Eileen Decker, president of the Board of Police Commissioners.
But she added: “We’re not satisfied with these numbers. We’re going to work diligently in conducting our oversight.”
Garcetti also credited the citywide crime reductions to the agency’s outreach in communities that experience high levels of crime. He praised the department’s Community Safety Partnership, a community policing model in housing developments and neighborhoods such as South Park where officers build relationships with residents.
These areas, he said, are seeing fewer violent and property crimes. At the news conference, the chair of the L.A. City Council’s Public Safety Committee, Monica Rodriguez, announced that the city was about to launch a community safety partnership in Pacoima’s San Fernando Gardens.
Anne Tremblay, the director of the mayor’s Office of Gang Reduction and Youth Development, said the program’s community intervention workers responded to more than 500 violent incidents in 2019 and invested more than 90,000 hours of peacekeeping activities. Last year saw a 5% increase in youth and families served by the program’s providers.
“This work matters and it’s making a difference,” she said.
Areas that the agency has to work on, Moore said, include reducing hit-and-run traffic fatalities in South L.A., which has the highest number citywide. The department is also taking steps to improve accountability among its officers. Starting this month, Moore said, supervisors in the agency’s gang units will pick videos from officers’ body-worn cameras to audit.
“For 2020, we will invest in that time and energy to identify if there’s any outliers,” he said.


latimes--2020-01-16--Column: Newsom can't afford to ignore homelessness. It's the top issue with voters

The main reason California politicians are moving swiftly to remove homeless people from the streets is simple : Homelessness has become the public ’ s No .
1 state concern .
That ’ s the way it ’ s supposed to work , after all .
It ’ s how the Founders set it up .
It ’ s in the best interests of politicians protecting their job security to represent the interests of voters who elected them .
A poll released Wednesday by the Public Policy Institute of California shows that homelessness has become the top state issue for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only a low-level blip on the public ’ s list of concerns .
Because homelessness has become such a hot topic , politicians are being inspired to confront the issue more aggressively than ever before .
All this week , Gov .
Gavin Newsom has stumped the state promoting a sweeping homelessness plan he unveiled in his proposed new state budget .
That ’ s precisely what a governor should do : announce a major proposal in the Capitol , then venture out and try to sell it to the public around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Legislature as the voters are under the politicians .
Meanwhile , a homelessness advisory task force created by the governor unveiled its separate substantive plan Monday .
Its main feature is a proposed state constitutional amendment that would require local governments to hop to it on homelessness .
No longer would confronting the problem be an option .
It would be mandatory .
“ We ’ ve tried moral persuasion .
We ’ ve tried economic incentives , ” said Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg , who co-chairs the task force along with L.A. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of it ’ s optional .
Why should this be optional ?
It shouldn ’ t be .
It mustn ’ t be .
Thousands of people are dying on the streets and people are telling us this is a priority.
” Yes , they emphatically are .
The nonpartisan PPIC asked likely voters which one issue they thought was “ the most important for the governor and state Legislature to work on in 2020.
” The top choice was homelessness .
Nothing else came close .
The results : homelessness 23 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % , environment and climate change 9 % , immigration 8 % , jobs and the economy 7 % .
And K-12 schools — a traditional concern — didn ’ t even register .
L.A. County residents in particular desired a push on homelessness .
Public frustration over homelessness has flared in the last year .
Last January , only 7 % of likely voters in a PPIC poll named homelessness as the state ’ s most important issue .
Back then , the biggest concern was immigration , followed by education .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ survey result that illustrates the demand by voters that politicians focus on homelessness .
Asked which program “ should have the highest priority ” for state spending , health and human services edged out K-12 schools 40 % to 38 % .
That was previously unimaginable .
Baldassare theorizes that voters now equate health and human services with helping people living on the street .
Last January , just 30 % of likely voters favored making HHS the top spending priority .
And in 2015 , only 19 % did .
So what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No .
1 California concern ?
“ Every place that people go , they ’ re seeing homelessness now , ” Baldassare says .
“ It ’ s not just something in Los Angeles or San Francisco .
It ’ s very evident across the state .
It ’ s maybe the most disturbing element of the housing crisis .
“ People don ’ t like to see other people suffering , ” the pollster continues .
“ On some level , people think everyone who lives in California should have shelter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s an element of shock and it ’ s disturbing .
Some of these people are scary .
It can be threatening and frightening .
It can be sad and depressing .
Many Californians feel like they can ’ t look the other way any longer.
” Steinberg , a former state Senate leader , is one politician who didn ’ t need poll results to motivate him to fight homelessness , particularly when it results from mental illness .
He has been a mental health crusader for decades .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ tax ” ballot initiative that added a 1 % income tax rate for people with million-dollar earnings .
The money was designated for mental health treatment .
Now he and Newsom want to overhaul that law to spend more of the tax revenue on treating mentally ill homeless people .
Steinberg says homelessness “ is the most visible and terrible manifestation , other than suicide , of mental suffering .
And people are seeing the suffering.
” “ It has taken a long time to bring this into public consciousness , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have always been there because everyone can tell a story about a family member or friend who has suffered .
People can relate .
They ’ re frustrated and tired of it.
” People also want back their sidewalks and parks freed of homeless encampments .
“ The public is fed up — completely fed up , ” says Ridley-Thomas , who ’ s termed out as supervisor and is running for L.A. City Council .
“ It ’ s variously motivated : self interest .
Disgust and anger .
Altruism and high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unsafe , unhealthy and uncivil .
“ And the public is saying , ‘ Wait a minute .
This is America .
This is L.A .
This is California , the fifth-largest economy in the world .
And it ’ s defined by squalor.
’ ” Credit the governor and his task force for proposing plans that don ’ t just call for more tax money .
Newsom wants to spend an additional $ 1.4 billion for shelters and healthcare , but he also insists on improving how the services are delivered and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing : This is not a polarizing , partisan issue among voters .
Democrats , independents and — especially — Republicans all agree it ’ s the No .
1 issue facing California .

Gov. Gavin Newsom, left, and L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, right, visit Lone Star Board and Care in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
The main reason California politicians are moving swiftly to remove homeless people from the streets is simple: Homelessness has become the public’s No. 1 state concern.
That’s the way it’s supposed to work, after all. It’s how the Founders set it up. It’s in the best interests of politicians protecting their job security to represent the interests of voters who elected them.
A poll released Wednesday by the Public Policy Institute of California shows that homelessness has become the top state issue for voters. This subject used to register only a low-level blip on the public’s list of concerns.
Advertisement
Because homelessness has become such a hot topic, politicians are being inspired to confront the issue more aggressively than ever before.
All this week, Gov. Gavin Newsom has stumped the state promoting a sweeping homelessness plan he unveiled in his proposed new state budget. That’s precisely what a governor should do: announce a major proposal in the Capitol, then venture out and try to sell it to the public around the state, lighting a fire under the Legislature as the voters are under the politicians.
Meanwhile, a homelessness advisory task force created by the governor unveiled its separate substantive plan Monday. Its main feature is a proposed state constitutional amendment that would require local governments to hop to it on homelessness. No longer would confronting the problem be an option. It would be mandatory.
“We’ve tried moral persuasion. We’ve tried economic incentives,” said Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, who co-chairs the task force along with L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. “But all of it’s optional. Why should this be optional? It shouldn’t be. It mustn’t be. Thousands of people are dying on the streets and people are telling us this is a priority.”
Yes, they emphatically are.
The nonpartisan PPIC asked likely voters which one issue they thought was “the most important for the governor and state Legislature to work on in 2020.” The top choice was homelessness. Nothing else came close.
The results: homelessness 23%, housing costs and availability 11%, environment and climate change 9%, immigration 8%, jobs and the economy 7%. And K-12 schools — a traditional concern — didn’t even register.
Advertisement
L.A. County residents in particular desired a push on homelessness.
Public frustration over homelessness has flared in the last year. Last January, only 7% of likely voters in a PPIC poll named homelessness as the state’s most important issue. Back then, the biggest concern was immigration, followed by education.
PPIC President Mark Baldassare pointed to another survey result that illustrates the demand by voters that politicians focus on homelessness. Asked which program “should have the highest priority” for state spending, health and human services edged out K-12 schools 40% to 38%. That was previously unimaginable.
Baldassare theorizes that voters now equate health and human services with helping people living on the street.
Last January, just 30% of likely voters favored making HHS the top spending priority. And in 2015, only 19% did.
So what has happened to propel homelessness into the No. 1 California concern?
“Every place that people go, they’re seeing homelessness now,” Baldassare says. “It’s not just something in Los Angeles or San Francisco. It’s very evident across the state. It’s maybe the most disturbing element of the housing crisis.
“People don’t like to see other people suffering,” the pollster continues. “On some level, people think everyone who lives in California should have shelter, a roof over their heads.
“There’s an element of shock and it’s disturbing. Some of these people are scary. It can be threatening and frightening. It can be sad and depressing. Many Californians feel like they can’t look the other way any longer.”
Steinberg, a former state Senate leader, is one politician who didn’t need poll results to motivate him to fight homelessness, particularly when it results from mental illness. He has been a mental health crusader for decades.
In 2004, Steinberg wrote the “millionaires’ tax” ballot initiative that added a 1% income tax rate for people with million-dollar earnings. The money was designated for mental health treatment. Now he and Newsom want to overhaul that law to spend more of the tax revenue on treating mentally ill homeless people.
Steinberg says homelessness “is the most visible and terrible manifestation, other than suicide, of mental suffering. And people are seeing the suffering.”
“It has taken a long time to bring this into public consciousness,” Steinberg continues. “But the seeds have always been there because everyone can tell a story about a family member or friend who has suffered. People can relate. They’re frustrated and tired of it.”
People also want back their sidewalks and parks freed of homeless encampments.
“The public is fed up — completely fed up,” says Ridley-Thomas, who’s termed out as supervisor and is running for L.A. City Council. “It’s variously motivated: self interest. Disgust and anger. Altruism and high mindedness…. People on the streets are unsafe, unhealthy and uncivil.
“And the public is saying, ‘Wait a minute. This is America. This is L.A. This is California, the fifth-largest economy in the world. And it’s defined by squalor.’”
Credit the governor and his task force for proposing plans that don’t just call for more tax money. Newsom wants to spend an additional $1.4 billion for shelters and healthcare, but he also insists on improving how the services are delivered and the money is spent.
One encouraging thing: This is not a polarizing, partisan issue among voters. Democrats, independents and — especially — Republicans all agree it’s the No. 1 issue facing California.


latimes--2020-01-15--Woman missing in Butte County for six days is found alive

A woman in the early stages of dementia who went missing six days ago was found alive Wednesday by a helicopter crew searching for her in Butte County .
Paula Beth James , 68 , was last seen the evening of Jan. 9 in Oroville , where she lives , and was reported missing the following day .
Butte County Sheriff ’ s Office deputies , detectives , search and rescue teams , and pilots spent more than 100 hours scouring the region in search of James .
They ’ d been desperate to find her before a massive storm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a winter storm warning for the next two days .
About noon Wednesday , a sheriff ’ s helicopter was flying over the Butte Meadows area when a sergeant spotted a vehicle below , covered in snow , about three miles from the Bambi Inn .
It matched the description of James ’ silver 2018 Toyota 4Runner .
The pilot landed the helicopter , and two Sheriff ’ s Office employees hiked over to the 4Runner , which sat in a snow-covered area about 150 yards off the road .
Inside , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responders worked quickly to get James to a hospital .
“ We hadn ’ t given up , and we ’ re so happy with the outcome , ” said Megan McCann , a public information officer with the Sheriff ’ s Office .
James was conscious , talking and cold when the search team found her , McCann said .
Butte Meadows is about 55 road miles north of Oroville .
It is unclear where James was headed , but authorities think she might have left home to meet a friend for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as long as she did remains for now unexplained .
Authorities hadn ’ t been able to interview her Wednesday evening but were eager to learn how James kept herself safe while awaiting rescue , McCann said .
“ That is what everyone is wondering , including us , ” McCann said .

A woman in the early stages of dementia who went missing six days ago was found alive Wednesday by a helicopter crew searching for her in Butte County.
Paula Beth James, 68, was last seen the evening of Jan. 9 in Oroville, where she lives, and was reported missing the following day.
Butte County Sheriff’s Office deputies, detectives, search and rescue teams, and pilots spent more than 100 hours scouring the region in search of James. They’d been desperate to find her before a massive storm reaches the area, which is under a winter storm warning for the next two days.
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About noon Wednesday, a sheriff’s helicopter was flying over the Butte Meadows area when a sergeant spotted a vehicle below, covered in snow, about three miles from the Bambi Inn. It matched the description of James’ silver 2018 Toyota 4Runner.
The pilot landed the helicopter, and two Sheriff’s Office employees hiked over to the 4Runner, which sat in a snow-covered area about 150 yards off the road. Inside, they found James, alive.
The first responders worked quickly to get James to a hospital.
“We hadn’t given up, and we’re so happy with the outcome,” said Megan McCann, a public information officer with the Sheriff’s Office.
James was conscious, talking and cold when the search team found her, McCann said.
Butte Meadows is about 55 road miles north of Oroville. It is unclear where James was headed, but authorities think she might have left home to meet a friend for lunch.
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How James survived the elements as long as she did remains for now unexplained. Authorities hadn’t been able to interview her Wednesday evening but were eager to learn how James kept herself safe while awaiting rescue, McCann said.
“That is what everyone is wondering, including us,” McCann said.


latimes--2020-01-15--5-year-old girl hospitalized after being shot in South Los Angeles

A 5-year-old girl was taken to a hospital Wednesday evening after being shot in South Los Angeles , authorities said @ @ @ @ @ 41st Place and Woodlawn Avenue .
Officer Mike Lopez with the Los Angeles Police Department @ @ @ @ @ scene trying to sort out what happened .
The Los Angeles Fire Department responded about @ @ @ @ @ small child suffering from a gunshot wound , spokeswoman Margaret Stewart said .
Lt. Raul @ @ @ @ @ Channel 5 the child was transported in “ very serious condition ” and that it @ @ @ @ @ resulted in her injuries .
“ We don ’ t want to assume it was @ @ @ @ @ t want to assume that it was a crime either , ” Jovel told KTLA @ @ @ @ @ our officers ; seeing a child that ’ s suffered an injury like this , @ @ @ @ @ looking out for the welfare of our officers at this time .
”

An approximate location of the shooting Wednesday evening that resulted in one child being taken to a hospital.
A 5-year-old girl was taken to a hospital Wednesday evening after being shot in South Los Angeles, authorities said.
The shooting occurred near 41st Place and Woodlawn Avenue.
Officer Mike Lopez with the Los Angeles Police Department said detectives were at the scene trying to sort out what happened.
The Los Angeles Fire Department responded about 5:30 p.m. to treat a small child suffering from a gunshot wound, spokeswoman Margaret Stewart said.
Lt. Raul Jovel with LAPD told KTLA-TV Channel 5 the child was transported in “very serious condition” and that it remains unclear what transpired that resulted in her injuries.
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“We don’t want to assume it was self-inflicted; we don’t want to assume that it was a crime either,” Jovel told KTLA.
“This really impacted our officers; seeing a child that’s suffered an injury like this, so we’re also looking out for the welfare of our officers at this time.”


latimes--2020-01-15--Former LAPD officer to face charges after colleague's accusations of sex assault and blackmail

A former Los Angeles police officer will face criminal charges related to allegations that he sexually abused and beat another LAPD detective , according to a law enforcement official and the victim ’ s attorney .
Daniel Reedy , a veteran officer who retired last year , will face up to nine criminal charges related to accusations that he used blackmail to coerce Det .
Ysabel Villegas into sex and later threatened to leak sexually explicit photos of her to her family , according to a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation .
The official , who spoke on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have authority to discuss the case , was unable to describe the exact criminal charges against Reedy .
Villegas ’ attorney , Lisa Bloom , also said Reedy would face criminal charges in a statement Tuesday .
“ We are pleased that Mr. Reedy will at last face criminal accountability , ” Bloom said .
“ It has been a long and painful process , but Ms. Villegas will continue to fully cooperate so that justice will be done.
” The Los Angeles County district attorney ’ s office declined to discuss the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not respond to questions seeking details about the charges .
A spokeswoman for the LAPD confirmed Reedy retired in 2019 but declined to comment further .
The Los Angeles Times normally does not name victims of alleged sexual assaults , but Villegas has spoken out publicly about her case on numerous occasions .
Reedy has not responded to The Times ’ previous attempts to contact him .
He does not have an attorney , according to the law enforcement official .
Reedy and Villegas had been involved in an extramarital affair since 2013 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restraining order the detective filed in November 2018 .
Villegas said Reedy first became violent toward her in 2016 and began threatening to leak sexually explicit photos of her to other police officers and her family if she did not continue the relationship , court records show .
In a lawsuit she filed against the LAPD in March of last year , Villegas accused Reedy of using the threat of blackmail to coerce her into sex in a Pomona motel in 2017 .
“ With these photos , he emotionally terrorized me .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Villegas said during a March 2019 news conference .
Glendora police also investigated an allegation that Reedy physically attacked Villegas at a diner there in the summer of 2018 .
A case was presented to the district attorney ’ s office , but it remains unclear if prosecutors filed charges in that matter .
The status of Villegas ’ civil suit against the department was not immediately clear .
In the suit , Villegas said she reported Reedy ’ s behavior to several “ senior LAPD officers ” — including her supervisor in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband , former Assistant Chief Jorge Villegas — who failed to take action .
An LAPD spokesman previously said the department launched an investigation into Reedy in November 2018 , after Ysabel Villegas first filed for a restraining order .
Jorge Villegas retired from the LAPD in October 2018 amid allegations he was having an improper sexual relationship with a female subordinate officer , sources previously told The Times .
An LAPD surveillance unit later caught Villegas and the subordinate apparently engaged in a sex act in a parking lot , the sources @ @ @ @ @

A former Los Angeles police officer will face criminal charges related to allegations that he sexually abused and beat another LAPD detective, according to a law enforcement official and the victim’s attorney.
Daniel Reedy, a veteran officer who retired last year, will face up to nine criminal charges related to accusations that he used blackmail to coerce Det. Ysabel Villegas into sex and later threatened to leak sexually explicit photos of her to her family, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they did not have authority to discuss the case, was unable to describe the exact criminal charges against Reedy. Villegas’ attorney, Lisa Bloom, also said Reedy would face criminal charges in a statement Tuesday.
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“We are pleased that Mr. Reedy will at last face criminal accountability,” Bloom said. “It has been a long and painful process, but Ms. Villegas will continue to fully cooperate so that justice will be done.”
The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office declined to discuss the case. A spokesman for Bloom did not respond to questions seeking details about the charges. A spokeswoman for the LAPD confirmed Reedy retired in 2019 but declined to comment further.
The Los Angeles Times normally does not name victims of alleged sexual assaults, but Villegas has spoken out publicly about her case on numerous occasions.
Reedy has not responded to The Times’ previous attempts to contact him. He does not have an attorney, according to the law enforcement official.
Reedy and Villegas had been involved in an extramarital affair since 2013, according to an application for a restraining order the detective filed in November 2018. Villegas said Reedy first became violent toward her in 2016 and began threatening to leak sexually explicit photos of her to other police officers and her family if she did not continue the relationship, court records show.
In a lawsuit she filed against the LAPD in March of last year, Villegas accused Reedy of using the threat of blackmail to coerce her into sex in a Pomona motel in 2017.
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“With these photos, he emotionally terrorized me. He controlled and manipulated me,” Villegas said during a March 2019 news conference.
Glendora police also investigated an allegation that Reedy physically attacked Villegas at a diner there in the summer of 2018. A case was presented to the district attorney’s office, but it remains unclear if prosecutors filed charges in that matter.
The status of Villegas’ civil suit against the department was not immediately clear. In the suit, Villegas said she reported Reedy’s behavior to several “senior LAPD officers” — including her supervisor in the Robbery-Homicide Division as well as her husband, former Assistant Chief Jorge Villegas — who failed to take action.
An LAPD spokesman previously said the department launched an investigation into Reedy in November 2018, after Ysabel Villegas first filed for a restraining order.
Jorge Villegas retired from the LAPD in October 2018 amid allegations he was having an improper sexual relationship with a female subordinate officer, sources previously told The Times. An LAPD surveillance unit later caught Villegas and the subordinate apparently engaged in a sex act in a parking lot, the sources said at the time.


latimes--2020-01-17--Chilly rainstorm dampens Southern California overnight. Clear skies on the horizon

A chilly winter storm produced some of the first measurable rain of the year for many Southern California communities overnight , then left nearly as quickly as it arrived .
The storm , which originated south of Alaska earlier in the week , dumped heavy rain and snow across much of the northern part of the state Thursday , causing flooding in some areas and road closures in mountain passes .
But by the time the system reached Los Angeles County around 9 p.m. , it had weakened considerably , said David Bruno , a meteorologist with the National Weather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a few hours before the front moved out about 2 a.m. A band of heavy showers dumped 1.10 inches of rain on Monte Nido in the Santa Monica Mountains .
However , the county ’ s coastal cities saw no more than half an inch of rain , Bruno said .
Santa Barbara County got a bit more precipitation .
Refugio Pass in the Santa Ynez Mountains received 1.42 inches of rain , while Gaviota got just over an inch .
“ This happens fairly often where the system is more powerful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and by the time it reaches Los Angeles , it narrows and has a smaller area of precipitation , ” Bruno said .
The storm dropped snow levels to 3,400 feet , dusting the 5 Freeway corridor through the Grapevine with fresh powder .
The snow prompted the California Highway Patrol to escort traffic through the area , but no closures were necessary .
However , the California Department of Transportation closed State Route 2 from Highway 39 to Grassy Hollow Campground west of the Mountain High ski area in Wrightwood on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was not clear when the road would reopen .
The storm brought Southern California the most rain it is likely to see for at least a week .
A very weak storm moving toward the state from the central Pacific Ocean probably won ’ t result in much , if any , rain for Los Angeles next week , forecasters say .
The weather system comes on the heels of what has been a dry January after the state saw significant rain in late November and December .
Those early winter storms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California out of drought conditions , according to a map released Thursday by the National Drought Mitigation Center .
Despite the modest rain amounts this month , precipitation in L.A. is still above average for the water year as California heads into February , which is typically the wettest month for the state , Bruno said .
Portions of Northern California — including San Francisco , San Jose and Santa Rosa — are below normal for this point in the water year , according to data from the weather service .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have another dry week , ” Bruno said .
“ We ’ re going to have to get it in gear in February .
”

A chilly winter storm produced some of the first measurable rain of the year for many Southern California communities overnight, then left nearly as quickly as it arrived.
The storm, which originated south of Alaska earlier in the week, dumped heavy rain and snow across much of the northern part of the state Thursday, causing flooding in some areas and road closures in mountain passes. But by the time the system reached Los Angeles County around 9 p.m., it had weakened considerably, said David Bruno, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.
Light rain continued for a few hours before the front moved out about 2 a.m. A band of heavy showers dumped 1.10 inches of rain on Monte Nido in the Santa Monica Mountains. However, the county’s coastal cities saw no more than half an inch of rain, Bruno said.
Santa Barbara County got a bit more precipitation. Refugio Pass in the Santa Ynez Mountains received 1.42 inches of rain, while Gaviota got just over an inch.
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“This happens fairly often where the system is more powerful in the central part of the state, and by the time it reaches Los Angeles, it narrows and has a smaller area of precipitation,” Bruno said.
The storm dropped snow levels to 3,400 feet, dusting the 5 Freeway corridor through the Grapevine with fresh powder. The snow prompted the California Highway Patrol to escort traffic through the area, but no closures were necessary.
However, the California Department of Transportation closed State Route 2 from Highway 39 to Grassy Hollow Campground west of the Mountain High ski area in Wrightwood on Friday morning because of heavy snow.
It was not clear when the road would reopen.
❄ What a pretty morning in Pine Mountain! This is from Frazier Mtn's Pine Mtn Club Sawmill/Mt. Abel web cam. ❄
#cawx #socal #VTAsnowhttps://t.co/wadqylCaJo pic.twitter.com/Dfvcobk1rT — NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) January 17, 2020
The storm brought Southern California the most rain it is likely to see for at least a week. A very weak storm moving toward the state from the central Pacific Ocean probably won’t result in much, if any, rain for Los Angeles next week, forecasters say.
The weather system comes on the heels of what has been a dry January after the state saw significant rain in late November and December. Those early winter storms were enough to keep the majority of California out of drought conditions, according to a map released Thursday by the National Drought Mitigation Center.
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Despite the modest rain amounts this month, precipitation in L.A. is still above average for the water year as California heads into February, which is typically the wettest month for the state, Bruno said.
Portions of Northern California — including San Francisco, San Jose and Santa Rosa — are below normal for this point in the water year, according to data from the weather service.
“It does look like we’re going to have another dry week,” Bruno said. “We’re going to have to get it in gear in February.”


latimes--2020-01-17--5 residents, including child, are zip-tied during home invasion in Whittier

Five people , including a juvenile , were tied up overnight during a home invasion robbery in unincorporated east Whittier @ @ @ @ @ intruders made their way into a home in the 4000 block of Indian Drive around @ @ @ @ @ resident was taking out the trash .
The victims were zip-tied inside the home , @ @ @ @ @ money , according to Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s Sgt .
Jonathan Branham of @ @ @ @ @ One of the victims managed to break free and ran out yelling and screaming for @ @ @ @ @ .
The burglars , who wore ski masks and gloves , fled the scene in @ @ @ @ @ be a black sedan , authorities said .
Branham said that money was taken from @ @ @ @ @ s wallets during the incident .
It was not immediately clear whether anyone was injured @ @ @ @ @ Department continues to investigate the home invasion .

Five people, including a juvenile, were tied up overnight during a home invasion robbery in unincorporated east Whittier, officials said.
Three intruders made their way into a home in the 4000 block of Indian Drive around 9:30 p.m. Thursday while a resident was taking out the trash. The victims were zip-tied inside the home, and the robbers then demanded money, according to Los Angeles County sheriff’s Sgt. Jonathan Branham of the Pico station.
“One of the victims managed to break free and ran out yelling and screaming for help,” Branham said.
The burglars, who wore ski masks and gloves, fled the scene in what’s believed to be a black sedan, authorities said.
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Branham said that money was taken from one of the victim’s wallets during the incident. It was not immediately clear whether anyone was injured.
The Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate the home invasion.


latimes--2020-01-17--Trump inked a deal with China. California is still sorting out the implications

The list of Chinese goods Trump imposed tariffs on since launching a trade war two years ago seems like it runs forever : catfish , bird eggs , natural sponges , pearl onions , mushrooms , chestnuts , copper springs , tungsten wire , thermometer parts .
These are just a few .
“ It ’ s mind-boggling to go down the list , ” said Jock O ’ Connell , international trade adviser at Beacon Economics .
“ It goes on for dozens and dozens of pages ... and covers a lot of goods you can ’ t even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t do much to clear up that complexity , or relieve the impact of tariffs on California businesses and consumers .
Trump ’ s deal with China was touted by his administration as a victory , but experts say that deal is only a first step toward eased tensions , bringing some immediate benefits but leaving some of the thorniest issues unresolved .
The vast majority of tariffs — which escalated a trade war and delivered higher costs to consumers and uncertainty to the U.S. auto industry and agricultural and manufacturing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a preliminary agreement last month , Trump canceled 15 % tariffs on about $ 160 billion of Chinese imports scheduled to be rolled out Dec. 15 .
Levies on about $ 120 billion of goods from China were cut in half , to 7.5 % .
But the deal kept in place 25 % tariffs on another $ 250 billion of imports as a bargaining chip for further negotiations .
“ We ’ re keeping the tariffs on because we ’ ll use that for another one , ” Trump said at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
California ’ s economy has weathered the trade war relatively well compared with other parts of the country slammed by declines in manufacturing and farming , said Lynn Reaser , chief economist of the Fermanian Business & Economic Institute at Point Loma Nazarene University .
California ’ s economy grew at a 2.6 % rate through the first 10 months of 2019 , according to the UCLA Anderson School , compared with 2.1 % growth for the entire U.S. in the third quarter .
However , Reaser said the state would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China and more Chinese investment and spending on California education if not for the trade tension .
Uncertainty and tariffs have also disrupted supply chains and plans for capital spending .
While China has not explicitly committed to removing some of the retaliatory tariffs that hurt California industries , the state could see gains from China ’ s commitments to buy an additional $ 200 billion of American goods and services by 2021 .
“ What is likely to happen administratively is that waivers will be granted in cases where the Chinese decide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to higher retaliatory tariffs , ” O ’ Connell said in an email .
“ It ’ s not a lot of progress .
The U.S. is still imposing high tariffs on a still large volume of goods we would import from China , ” O ’ Connell said .
“ We ’ ll have to wait and see.
” Here ’ s how some key California industries may be affected .
Over the summer , , up from 48 % before the escalation of tensions , according to the Wine Institute , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wineries and related businesses .
As a result , sales of California wines to China were down just over 20 % by volume last year through November compared with the year before , said Honore Comfort , vice president of International Marketing at the Wine Institute .
The tariffs remain in place .
However , the trade deal prevents tariffs from increasing , which is positive for the industry , Comfort said .
Wine is included in the list of China ’ s buying commitments .
Comfort said the Wine Institute was evaluating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not draw any conclusions .
“ We will continue to support California wine in China .
... We are hopeful we will be able to resume our trade position with them , ” she said .
As Trump piled on tariffs , China retaliated by canceling purchases of soybeans , one of the biggest U.S. exports to that country .
It also hit wheat and corn with tariffs .
The Trump administration gave farmers a $ 28-billion bailout .
Beijing imposed a 50 % tariff on U.S. almonds , one of California ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place .
The state supplies 82 % of the world ’ s almonds , and exports to China fell by about one-third , according to the Almond Board of California .
In the deal , China commits to agricultural purchases that will mostly benefit states specializing in soybeans and pork , Reaser said .
However , California should see some gains in exports of citrus and nuts , she said .
“ We ’ re glad to see agreement and China ’ s commitment to purchase more ag products , ” Julie Adams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulatory affairs at the Almond Board of California , said in a statement .
“ But for almonds and other specialty crops , the question is whether China will reduce the retaliatory tariffs that have been imposed since April 2018 , as a means of encouraging our Chinese customers to purchase more almonds.
” American companies have long accused their Chinese rivals of stealing valuable technology .
Under the trade deal , Beijing says it will ban those practices and increase protection of intellectual property .
Experts say this could benefit tech companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided China holds up its end of the deal .
China also pledged to cease requiring the transfer of technology as a precondition for companies to gain access to their markets .
But it remains to be seen how strictly China will enforce these provisions , Reaser said .
China has shown that it can acquire technology and , with government support , build competitive rivals to American firms .
The technology wall between the two countries solidified further over the course of the trade war .
China ’ s after the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likes of Intel and Qualcomm .
For more than a year , as the trade war waged , Apple avoided damage .
The round of 15 % tariffs that Trump threatened to impose in December would have included mobile phones ; Apple ’ s iPhone is made almost entirely in China .
Those tariffs have been suspended indefinitely .
Reaser said American companies will likely continue to search for alternative supply chains to China as uncertainty and the administration ’ s national security concerns persist .
“ The technology wall has a huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The paranoia and the fear does represent a significant constraint.
” In September , 15 % tariffs were slapped on $ 120 billion in Chinese imports that included consumer products such as smart watches , TVs , shoes , diapers , sporting goods , meat and dairy products .
That round hit American households directly , as many U.S. firms said they would be forced to pass the elevated prices on to customers .
Under the agreement reached in December , the levy imposed on those imports is reduced from 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Long Beach ports , which handle roughly half of U.S. maritime trade with China , will likely see increased business from the trade deal , O ’ Connell said .
However , Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles Gene Seroka does not think the deal will do much to improve matters .
Seroka said the port has not seen any noticeable uptick in exports yet , and he doesn ’ t believe there will be significant gains over the next few months .
He said it could take months or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and he ’ s not sure they will ever manage to return to pre-trade war levels .
“ It ’ s been 14 consecutive months of declining export business , ” Seroka said “ The damage that has been done over the past 18 to 20 months has been so hurtful.
” Seroka said many American firms have shifted their supply sourcing to Southeast Asian nations , which adds complexity to previously long-established routes and reduces business for the port .
If an American company decides to move its manufacturing to Vietnam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might become easier to ship the products to the East Coast via the Suez Canal , and then inland to destinations such as Chicago , Memphis and Dallas .
“ We ’ ve basically given a sales lead to every other trading nation , ” Seroka said .
“ We have officially been left behind.
” The port needs more specificity on which commodities will benefit from increased purchases under the deal , he said , and which tariffs remain in place in order to figure out supply chains and transit paths .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Seroka said .
“ We ’ d like to see some specifics .
”

The list of Chinese goods Trump imposed tariffs on since launching a trade war two years ago seems like it runs forever: catfish, bird eggs, natural sponges, pearl onions, mushrooms, chestnuts, copper springs, tungsten wire, thermometer parts. These are just a few.
“It’s mind-boggling to go down the list,” said Jock O’Connell, international trade adviser at Beacon Economics. “It goes on for dozens and dozens of pages ... and covers a lot of goods you can’t even imagine.”
The trade deal inked Wednesday doesn’t do much to clear up that complexity, or relieve the impact of tariffs on California businesses and consumers. Trump’s deal with China was touted by his administration as a victory, but experts say that deal is only a first step toward eased tensions, bringing some immediate benefits but leaving some of the thorniest issues unresolved.
Advertisement
The vast majority of tariffs — which escalated a trade war and delivered higher costs to consumers and uncertainty to the U.S. auto industry and agricultural and manufacturing sectors — remain in place.
In a preliminary agreement last month, Trump canceled 15% tariffs on about $160 billion of Chinese imports scheduled to be rolled out Dec. 15. Levies on about $120 billion of goods from China were cut in half, to 7.5%. But the deal kept in place 25% tariffs on another $250 billion of imports as a bargaining chip for further negotiations.
“We’re keeping the tariffs on because we’ll use that for another one,” Trump said at a Jan. 9 rally in Toledo, Ohio.
California’s economy has weathered the trade war relatively well compared with other parts of the country slammed by declines in manufacturing and farming, said Lynn Reaser, chief economist of the Fermanian Business & Economic Institute at Point Loma Nazarene University. California’s economy grew at a 2.6% rate through the first 10 months of 2019, according to the UCLA Anderson School, compared with 2.1% growth for the entire U.S. in the third quarter.
However, Reaser said the state would have seen higher levels of technology exports to China and more Chinese investment and spending on California education if not for the trade tension. Uncertainty and tariffs have also disrupted supply chains and plans for capital spending.
While China has not explicitly committed to removing some of the retaliatory tariffs that hurt California industries, the state could see gains from China’s commitments to buy an additional $200 billion of American goods and services by 2021.
“What is likely to happen administratively is that waivers will be granted in cases where the Chinese decide to import U.S. products that remain subject to higher retaliatory tariffs,” O’Connell said in an email.
Advertisement
“It’s not a lot of progress. The U.S. is still imposing high tariffs on a still large volume of goods we would import from China,” O’Connell said. “We’ll have to wait and see.”
Here’s how some key California industries may be affected.
Wine
Over the summer, China imposed a 93% tax on American wine , up from 48% before the escalation of tensions, according to the Wine Institute, a trade group for some 1,000 California wineries and related businesses.
As a result, sales of California wines to China were down just over 20% by volume last year through November compared with the year before, said Honore Comfort, vice president of International Marketing at the Wine Institute.
The tariffs remain in place. However, the trade deal prevents tariffs from increasing, which is positive for the industry, Comfort said.
Wine is included in the list of China’s buying commitments. Comfort said the Wine Institute was evaluating details of the trade agreement and could not draw any conclusions.
“We will continue to support California wine in China. ... We are hopeful we will be able to resume our trade position with them,” she said.
A worker sprays insecticide in an almond orchard near Ripon in the San Joaquin Valley. (Mike Nelson / EPA )
Agriculture
As Trump piled on tariffs, China retaliated by canceling purchases of soybeans, one of the biggest U.S. exports to that country. It also hit wheat and corn with tariffs. The Trump administration gave farmers a $28-billion bailout.
Beijing imposed a 50% tariff on U.S. almonds, one of California’s biggest crops; that remains in place. The state supplies 82% of the world’s almonds, and exports to China fell by about one-third, according to the Almond Board of California.
In the deal, China commits to agricultural purchases that will mostly benefit states specializing in soybeans and pork, Reaser said. However, California should see some gains in exports of citrus and nuts, she said.
“We’re glad to see agreement and China’s commitment to purchase more ag products,” Julie Adams, vice president of global technical and regulatory affairs at the Almond Board of California, said in a statement. “But for almonds and other specialty crops, the question is whether China will reduce the retaliatory tariffs that have been imposed since April 2018, as a means of encouraging our Chinese customers to purchase more almonds.”
Technology
American companies have long accused their Chinese rivals of stealing valuable technology. Under the trade deal, Beijing says it will ban those practices and increase protection of intellectual property. Experts say this could benefit tech companies in Silicon Valley and Southern California — provided China holds up its end of the deal.
China also pledged to cease requiring the transfer of technology as a precondition for companies to gain access to their markets. But it remains to be seen how strictly China will enforce these provisions, Reaser said.
China has shown that it can acquire technology and, with government support, build competitive rivals to American firms. The technology wall between the two countries solidified further over the course of the trade war. China’s Huawei was forced to find alternative supply chains after the Trump administration cut off critical components from the likes of Intel and Qualcomm.
For more than a year, as the trade war waged, Apple avoided damage. The round of 15% tariffs that Trump threatened to impose in December would have included mobile phones; Apple’s iPhone is made almost entirely in China . Those tariffs have been suspended indefinitely.
Reaser said American companies will likely continue to search for alternative supply chains to China as uncertainty and the administration’s national security concerns persist.
“The technology wall has a huge impact on California,” she said. “The paranoia and the fear does represent a significant constraint.”
Consumer goods
In September, 15% tariffs were slapped on $120 billion in Chinese imports that included consumer products such as smart watches, TVs, shoes, diapers, sporting goods, meat and dairy products. That round hit American households directly, as many U.S. firms said they would be forced to pass the elevated prices on to customers. Under the agreement reached in December, the levy imposed on those imports is reduced from 15% to 7.5%.
Ports
Los Angeles and Long Beach ports, which handle roughly half of U.S. maritime trade with China, will likely see increased business from the trade deal, O’Connell said.
However, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles Gene Seroka does not think the deal will do much to improve matters. Seroka said the port has not seen any noticeable uptick in exports yet, and he doesn’t believe there will be significant gains over the next few months. He said it could take months or years for trade volumes to snap back, and he’s not sure they will ever manage to return to pre-trade war levels.
“It’s been 14 consecutive months of declining export business,” Seroka said “The damage that has been done over the past 18 to 20 months has been so hurtful.”
Seroka said many American firms have shifted their supply sourcing to Southeast Asian nations, which adds complexity to previously long-established routes and reduces business for the port.
If an American company decides to move its manufacturing to Vietnam from China, for example, it might become easier to ship the products to the East Coast via the Suez Canal, and then inland to destinations such as Chicago, Memphis and Dallas. “We’ve basically given a sales lead to every other trading nation,” Seroka said. “We have officially been left behind.”
The port needs more specificity on which commodities will benefit from increased purchases under the deal, he said, and which tariffs remain in place in order to figure out supply chains and transit paths.
“The details are very slim,” Seroka said. “We’d like to see some specifics.”


latimes--2020-01-17--Feeling robbed by Astros cheating scandal, Dodgers fans demand justice

Joshua Zonni said his heart shattered as he sat in Dodger Stadium during Game 7 of the 2017 World Series and watched his hometown team lose to the Houston Astros .
Zonni , 21 , and his family have had season tickets for Dodgers games for more than 40 years , but this was the first time he had seen his team play for a championship .
The Dodgers haven ’ t won the World Series since 1988 , 10 years before Zonni was born .
At the time , he said , he respected the Astros and “ gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team .
But that changed this week , when Major League Baseball released a report detailing how the Astros illegally used technology to steal opposing teams ’ pitching signs in home games during the 2017 season .
Managers were fired ; fines and additional punishments were issued .
But that ’ s not nearly enough for many Dodgers fans , especially after they learned that the Boston Red Sox , who beat the Dodgers in the 2018 World Series , are also under investigation for alleged cheating .
They think MLB should strip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some further demand the championship be awarded to Los Angeles .
The City Council is even lobbying for trophies to be presented to the Dodgers .
Los Angeles has long been a city that loves winners .
And the 2017 World Series loss was a heartbreaker , not just for avid Dodgers fans , but also for many in the city who rallied around the team .
The cheating scandal has brought more heartbreak — as well as anger over the idea that L.A. might have been robbed .
City Councilman Gil Cedillo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolution demanding that MLB award both the 2017 and 2018 titles to L.A. “ This is an equity and justice thing , ” Cedillo said .
“ Who was the best team in 2017 ?
Who was the best team in 2018 ?
It was the Dodgers .
They got beat by teams that were cheating.
” Zonni , of Chino Hills , said he doesn ’ t buy the Astros ’ stance that there was no evidence showing Houston ’ s actions affected the series outcome .
“ If they were confident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they wouldn ’ t feel the need to cheat , ” he said .
“ Even if the Dodgers weren ’ t in contention , as a fan of the MLB and professional sports in general , you expect to see these players and organizations be world-class teams , and to see the need to cheat to get an advantage over the opponent is sad .
It shows immorality of the organizations to benefit themselves.
” Zonni said he thinks MLB should give Los Angeles the title .
Barring that , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the championship at “ bare minimum.
” But the damage is done , he lamented : The Astros robbed him and fellow Dodgers fans of a possibly once-in-a-lifetime experience , and that ’ s something they can ’ t get back .
“ Anyone would agree that when a competitor cheats , the organization who plays fair is entitled to the championship , ” Zonni said .
“ But either way , it will never be the same as watching your team win it live.
” Daniel Juarez , another Dodgers fan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 24 , has worked at the Dodgers Clubhouse in Universal Citywalk for about two years and remembers how packed the fan apparel store was during the World Series .
The scandal , he said , is unfortunate , especially since fans worked hard to be able to afford the expensive tickets .
Still , the North Hollywood resident doesn ’ t think L.A. should be awarded the championship .
“ We know we deserve it , but it ’ s over with and done , ” Juarez said .
“ Dodgers fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We want a ring , but there ’ s nothing we can do about it .
If they vacate the title , that will be justice for the fans and Los Angeles.
” “ You can ’ t do a redo , and the teams have changed since then , ” she said .
“ I think Houston getting reprimanded is good , and they should also vacate the title.
” Juarez and Zonni said the Astros deserve all the criticism it ’ s receiving , and both expect opposing fans will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of whether L.A. gets the championship , though , the sport took a major hit this week , Zonni said .
“ The reputation of the whole league is tarnished , ” Zonni said .
“ Tons of children look up to these athletes in so many ways , and to see that the best of the best feel the need to cheat definitely sends the wrong message .
”

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw leaves the mound in the third inning of Game 7 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium on Nov. 1, 2017. L.A. went on to lose 5-1 to the Houston Astros, which Major League Baseball says stole opposing team’s signs that year.
Joshua Zonni said his heart shattered as he sat in Dodger Stadium during Game 7 of the 2017 World Series and watched his hometown team lose to the Houston Astros.
Zonni, 21, and his family have had season tickets for Dodgers games for more than 40 years, but this was the first time he had seen his team play for a championship. The Dodgers haven’t won the World Series since 1988, 10 years before Zonni was born.
At the time, he said, he respected the Astros and “gave them props” for having the better team.
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But that changed this week, when Major League Baseball released a report detailing how the Astros illegally used technology to steal opposing teams’ pitching signs in home games during the 2017 season. Managers were fired; fines and additional punishments were issued.
But that’s not nearly enough for many Dodgers fans, especially after they learned that the Boston Red Sox, who beat the Dodgers in the 2018 World Series, are also under investigation for alleged cheating.
They think MLB should strip the Astros of their title, and some further demand the championship be awarded to Los Angeles. The City Council is even lobbying for trophies to be presented to the Dodgers.
Los Angeles has long been a city that loves winners. And the 2017 World Series loss was a heartbreaker, not just for avid Dodgers fans, but also for many in the city who rallied around the team.
The cheating scandal has brought more heartbreak — as well as anger over the idea that L.A. might have been robbed.
City Councilman Gil Cedillo wants the council to vote on a resolution demanding that MLB award both the 2017 and 2018 titles to L.A.
“This is an equity and justice thing,” Cedillo said. “Who was the best team in 2017? Who was the best team in 2018? It was the Dodgers. They got beat by teams that were cheating.”
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Others agree.
Zonni, of Chino Hills, said he doesn’t buy the Astros’ stance that there was no evidence showing Houston’s actions affected the series outcome.
“If they were confident in their team’s ability, they wouldn’t feel the need to cheat,” he said. “Even if the Dodgers weren’t in contention, as a fan of the MLB and professional sports in general, you expect to see these players and organizations be world-class teams, and to see the need to cheat to get an advantage over the opponent is sad. It shows immorality of the organizations to benefit themselves.”
Zonni said he thinks MLB should give Los Angeles the title. Barring that, he said, the Astros should be stripped of the championship at “bare minimum.” But the damage is done, he lamented: The Astros robbed him and fellow Dodgers fans of a possibly once-in-a-lifetime experience, and that’s something they can’t get back.
“Anyone would agree that when a competitor cheats, the organization who plays fair is entitled to the championship,” Zonni said. “But either way, it will never be the same as watching your team win it live.”
Daniel Juarez, another Dodgers fan, sees it a little differently.
Juarez, 24, has worked at the Dodgers Clubhouse in Universal Citywalk for about two years and remembers how packed the fan apparel store was during the World Series. The scandal, he said, is unfortunate, especially since fans worked hard to be able to afford the expensive tickets.
Still, the North Hollywood resident doesn’t think L.A. should be awarded the championship.
“We know we deserve it, but it’s over with and done,” Juarez said. “Dodgers fans are the most loyal fans in baseball. We want a ring, but there’s nothing we can do about it. If they vacate the title, that will be justice for the fans and Los Angeles.”
Ethel Alvavrez, a 35-year-old fan from Whittier, agreed.
“You can’t do a redo, and the teams have changed since then,” she said. “I think Houston getting reprimanded is good, and they should also vacate the title.”
Juarez and Zonni said the Astros deserve all the criticism it’s receiving, and both expect opposing fans will be vocal about their displeasure. Regardless of whether L.A. gets the championship, though, the sport took a major hit this week, Zonni said.
“The reputation of the whole league is tarnished,” Zonni said. “Tons of children look up to these athletes in so many ways, and to see that the best of the best feel the need to cheat definitely sends the wrong message.”


latimes--2020-01-17--Police offer few details in death of 11-year-old Placerville boy

A woman who described herself as the biological mother of 11-year-old Roman Lopez says she found out about her son ’ s death from an online article .
Rochelle Lopez , who lives in Wisconsin , told Sacramento ’ s KOVR-TV Channel 13 that no one had contacted her about Roman , who was found dead Saturday in Placerville , Calif. She told KOVR that she was deployed to Iraq when Roman was a baby , and that she later dealt with addiction to pain medications .
It is unclear when she last saw Roman .
“ I told Roman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do be with him again , ” she said .
Roman lived with his biological father , Jordan Piper , and his stepmother Lindsey Piper , according to the Placerville Police Department .
Jordan Piper recently moved the family to California for a better job opportunity , according to police .
The couple had eight children living with them at the time of Roman ’ s death .
The Pipers told the Sacramento Bee that they initially got little help from local authorities , who they said did not act swiftly when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was last seen Saturday morning at his home in Placerville , police said .
He was found during a search by law enforcement officers and community members .
The case is being investigated as a suspicious death .
The Placerville Police Department said in a news release Thursday that the agency has provided limited information to the public because “ there is very sensitive information that if released , could jeopardize the investigation.
” The agency said it doesn ’ t yet have a pathologist ’ s report and will not provide any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pathologist ’ s report is expected to take four to six weeks .
“ We realize that the press and public are looking for answers and mourning the loss of Roman , ” the agency said in the release .
“ The police department has also been affected and has been working tirelessly to complete the investigation .
The complexity of this case will require time and patience .
”

A woman who described herself as the biological mother of 11-year-old Roman Lopez says she found out about her son’s death from an online article.
Rochelle Lopez, who lives in Wisconsin, told Sacramento’s KOVR-TV Channel 13 that no one had contacted her about Roman, who was found dead Saturday in Placerville, Calif.
She told KOVR that she was deployed to Iraq when Roman was a baby, and that she later dealt with addiction to pain medications. It is unclear when she last saw Roman.
“I told Roman that I would do everything I can do be with him again,” she said.
Roman lived with his biological father, Jordan Piper, and his stepmother Lindsey Piper, according to the Placerville Police Department. Jordan Piper recently moved the family to California for a better job opportunity, according to police. The couple had eight children living with them at the time of Roman’s death. The Pipers told the Sacramento Bee that they initially got little help from local authorities, who they said did not act swiftly when the parents reported the boy missing.
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Roman was last seen Saturday morning at his home in Placerville, police said. He was found during a search by law enforcement officers and community members. The case is being investigated as a suspicious death.
The Placerville Police Department said in a news release Thursday that the agency has provided limited information to the public because “there is very sensitive information that if released, could jeopardize the investigation.”
The agency said it doesn’t yet have a pathologist’s report and will not provide any further information about the autopsy. The pathologist’s report is expected to take four to six weeks.
“We realize that the press and public are looking for answers and mourning the loss of Roman,” the agency said in the release. “The police department has also been affected and has been working tirelessly to complete the investigation. The complexity of this case will require time and patience.”