Local News
Online child exploitation arrests made across Southern California – NBC Los Angeles
More than 200 arrests were made across Southern California for sexually exploiting children on the internet as a result of a multi-agency law enforcement effort, authorities announced Monday.
Through Operation Online Guardian, suspects were arrested for various child sexual exploitation charges, including continuous sexual abuse of a child, lew acts with a child and contact or attempted contact with a minor for sex.
The operation involving the Los Angeles Police Department and more than 100 agencies in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties was conducted from Aug. 12 through Aug. 23 as part of the Los Angeles Regional Internet Crimes Against Children (LA ICAC) task force led by the LAPD.
“Together we continue to stand strong in the face of predators who seek to sexually exploit children working tirelessly to create a safer environment for all,” Alan Hamilton, the LAPD Chief of Detectives, said in a news conference Monday.
The task force reminded parents of internet safety and the importance of keeping an open dialogue with their children.
“Parents and caregivers can help protect their children by educating themselves and their children on the dangers of the internet by monitoring your children’s internet usage,” LAPD Capt. Jay Mastick said. “By reporting potential child sexual abuse activity – you’re giving a potential victim a voice.”
Hamilton said the operation was executed in two phases:
- The first phase included proactive undercover investigations on a variety of Social Media platforms.
- The second phase included the service of multiple residential search warrants throughout the five counties, in addition to arrest warrants, which focused on child predators.
The LA ICAC Task Force included personnel from the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, the LAPD’s Gang and Narcotics Division, and various LAPD Vice Units.
Arrests were made for offenses that included:
- Sodomy of a child under 10 years of age
- Continuous sexual abuse of a child
- Continuous sexual abuse of a child
- Lewd acts with a child
- Meeting a minor for lewd purposes/sex
- Contact/attempt contact with minor for sex
- Sending obscene matter to a child for sex
- Penetration with a foreign object by force or fear
- Sodomy
- Possession of child sexual abuse material
- Distribution of child sexual abuse material
- Child annoying
- Failure to register as a convicted sex offender
- Violation of conditions of parole
- Violation of conditions of probation
Hamilton said specific arrest figures for individual counties were not immediately available.
Although Operation Online Guardian has concluded, Hamilton vowed that the LA ICAC Task Force would remain vigilant and continue their mission to protect children.
More information is available at www.Missingkids.org/NetSmartz for educational internet safety tips and activities.
The community may report potential child sexual abuse activity and have the harmful matter removed via the service “Take it Down” that is hosted on the websitewww.takeitdown.ncmec.org.
City News Service contributed to this report.
Local News
How to add California driver’s license to iPhone, Apple Watch – NBC Los Angeles
California driver’s license holders can now add their state ID to Apple Wallet on their IPhone and Apple Watch, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday.
The digital IDs will be accepted at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) check points, including Los Angeles International Airport and San Francisco Airport, as well as select businesses.
“With this new integration, we’re working to better serve the people of California in the 21st Century,” Newsom said in a statement.
Here’s how to add your ID to Apple Wallet
- Go to Apple Wallet
- Click the + button on the top right-hand corner
- Under the “Add to Wallet” section, tap “Driver’s License or State ID” to select “California mDL Pilot.
- Scan the front and back sides of your California ID
- Scan your face
- Take a picture
- Wait for verification from the California DMV.
But there’s a catch
The mobile driver’s license (mDL) pilot program is currently only limited to 1.5 million participants.
If your license is expired or suspended, your mDL will be rejected.
Other factors that could impact your mDL applications are:
- Wearing headwear
- Not using plain background
- Lack of consistent lighting
- Other faces in the frame
- Wearing sunglasses
More tips can be found here.
Last month, the state announced the DMV addition of Google Wallet as an option to hold driver’s licenses and identification cards.
Local News
Find Riverside County Airport Fire recovery assistance – NBC Los Angeles
Residents impacted by the Airport Fire in Riverside County can visit a local assistance center in Lake Elsinore.
Residents seeking assistance with food, health care support and more are welcomed to visit the one-stop resource center located at the Lake Community Center. The center will be open from noon to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
The Riverside County Department of Public Social Services, Public Health, Housing & Workforce Solutions and other local agencies will be joined by representatives from the California Office of Emergency Services and several nonprofit organizations to provide information on how to get financial, medical and related aid.
Residents seeking help also can click here.
On Tuesday, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved an emergency declaration, enabling the county to seek state and federal allocations for infrastructure repairs or improvements and general recovery of expenses stemming from the blaze.
As of Thursday, the Airport Fire was 41% contained at more than 23,500 acres in Orange and Riverside counties.
For information about Orange County recovery resources, click here.
Local News
Find Orange County Airport Fire recovery resources – NBC Los Angeles
Orange County launched a website and plans to open an assistance center to provide residents with information about recovering from the Airport Fire.
Residents affected by the fire, which also burned in Riverside County, can click here to find information about wildfire assistance.
The county also will open a wildfire recovery assistance center at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo. The center will be open from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday; 3 to 9 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 28000 Marguerite Parkway in the second-floor lounge.
The fire, which started more than a week ago, has burned 23,519 acres with containment at 39 percent. The fire destroyed 160 structures and damaged 34 others.
Below-normal temperatures are helping firefighters make progress with helicopter water drops. Crews are working to increse the perimeter with warmer weather in the forecast.
Most evacuation orders and warnings were lifted in Orange County, but many are still in effect in Riverside County. Residents can visit this page to determine if their homes are impacted by evacuation orders or warnings.
The fire was one of three major fires that started during a week of extremely warm temperatures in Southern California.
Information about Los Angeles and San Bernardino county recovery resources can be found here.
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