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- Written by: Lake County News reports
“Human trafficking is a disgusting and reprehensible crime that leaves lasting pain on victims and survivors. These new laws will help us further hold predators accountable and provide victims with the support and care they need,” Newsom said.
“No imperative is more essential than our responsibility to protect the most vulnerable members of our society. To that we will continue bipartisan efforts to keep children safe from the heinous crime of sex trafficking as well as strengthen our protections for victims and survivors. Crimes against children have no place in California,” said First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom.
What these new laws do
Help victims get to safety: SB 963 by Senator Angelique Ashby (D-Sacramento) requires hospitals that have an emergency department to adopt and implement policies that allow emergency room patients to confidentially self-identify themselves to hospital personnel as a victim of human trafficking or domestic violence, so they may receive assistance and resources.
Increase penalties for traffickers: SB 1414 by Senator Shannon Grove (R- Bakersfield) increases penalties for the crime of solicitation of a minor under the age of 16 or a minor under the age of 18 who is a victim of human trafficking. The bill provides more tools for prosecutors to charge a felony and increases the number of people convicted of this crime who must register as sex offenders.
Assist law enforcement support victims: AB 2020 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) requires law enforcement agencies and the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, or POST, to create minimum guidelines for law enforcement personnel when interacting with survivors of human trafficking.
Create new tools to address labor trafficking: AB 1888 by Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno) establishes a new Labor Trafficking Unit (LTU) within the Department of Justice and requires coordination with various state departments and law enforcement agencies to refer complaints or reports of labor trafficking for investigation, prosecution, or other remedies. The unit will also develop a tracking system to collect labor trafficking reports and complaints.
“Providing a way for victims of human trafficking to safely report their abusers and get help is vital to our progress on this issue. Oftentimes, the first and only contact a victim will have outside of their trafficking situation is with an emergency medical professional. SB 963 provides a tool for emergency room personnel to identify victims of human trafficking and connect them with life-saving resources,” said Sen. Angelique Ashby.
“Today marks an incredible victory for California children. I am grateful to the governor, First Partner, and my co-authors for once again joining me in the fight against human trafficking,” Sen. Shannon Grove said Thursday. “With the signing of my bill, SB 1414, we are reaffirming our commitment to safeguarding the most vulnerable among us — our children. Last year with my SB 14 we targeted the traffickers selling children, this year with SB 1414 we have gone after the buyers of trafficked children. Criminals have been far ahead of us when it comes to child sex trafficking, we must have a strong approach to eradicate this brutal crime and ensure no child is reduced to a commodity."
“Survivors of human trafficking need support, not systemic barriers, and I am proud to stand with the governor today to advance criminal justice policies that will support those our society has cast aside for too long,” Assemblymember Mia Bonta said Thursday. “AB 2020 will provide communities like those I represent with the opportunity to escape cycles of abuse, incarceration, and trafficking. This bill was born from the ongoing conversations I’ve had with organizations supporting survivors of sex trafficking and organizations representing law enforcement to combat human trafficking while centering the needs of survivors and advancing trauma-informed justice practices.”
“I want to thank Gov. Newsom for signing AB 1888 and Attorney General Bonta for supporting this important effort to protect all workers from heinous and inhumane treatment,” said Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula. “I also deeply appreciate that Assemblymember James C. Ramos was a joint author and that the California Native American Legislative Caucus this year made AB 1888 one of their priority bills. I’ve worked on this legislation for more than two years because labor trafficking preys on workers by making them vulnerable to threats regarding their immigration status, threats to their families’ safety, and threats involving their wages. This legislation — which includes establishing a new Labor Trafficking Unit within the Department of Justice — is a solid step forward in the effort to stop this horrible abuse and ensure that all workers in California are safe and respected.”
Fighting human trafficking
Since 2019, California has taken a comprehensive approach to combat human trafficking, with a total investment of $280.1 million to take down traffickers and support victims and survivors.
The state has provided substantial funding to expand support programs for human trafficking survivors and Family Justice Centers — creating a one-stop facility for victims and their families to access various services — and allocated $25 million for the prevention, intervention, and services for minor victims of commercial sexual exploitation.
California has funded Human Trafficking Task Forces at the California Department of Justice to address statewide human trafficking, resulting in numerous arrests and assistance to victims.
The California Highway Patrol’s interdiction efforts on task forces and operations have led to numerous arrests of traffickers.
Gov. Newsom also has signed multiple bills to strengthen legal protections for trafficking victims, including provisions for vacating convictions and considering trauma in sentencing.
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 to access help and services. If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
The Lakeport Police Department and its community partners are hosting the National Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday, Oct. 1.
It will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. in Lakeport’s new Xabatin Community Park.
This event is a community building partnership meant to bring law enforcement, other agencies and the public together in public spaces under positive circumstances. The goal is to reduce crime and build a more resilient community.
There will be numerous games and other fun activities for the whole family at the event including face painting, raffle prizes, balloons, music and a kid’s bike parade.
Children who want to participate in the parade can bring their bicycles and enter the Lakeport Main Street Association bicycle decorating contest.
This free event is sponsored by many local citizens and businesses. Community partners will be present with booths providing important public information and resources.
Lakeport Kiwanis Club will again be serving hot dogs, donated by Lakeport Grocery Outlet, and popcorn, donated by Lakeport Cinema 5.
Lakeport Police, supported by local youth volunteers, will have snow cones, lemonade and water available.
Safety Pup, Chipper and McGruff the Crime Dog will be on-hand interacting with the community.
There will be many raffle prizes for both kids and adults. All in attendance will be given two general prize raffle tickets with opportunities to earn more by adults visiting all of the partner booths and completing a bingo card, and by kids participating in games. Gift Cards for free ice cream, at Lyndall's Sports Stop, or donuts, at Susie Q's Donuts & Espresso, will be given to those meeting and greeting a Lakeport Police officer.
Complete details including names of participating agencies and sponsors as well as prize details will be posted on the event Facebook page.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Two new officers have joined the ranks of the California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office.
The agency welcomed Steven Andre and Luis Estrada, newly promoted officers from the CHP Academy in West Sacramento.
Andre and Estrada were among 119 new officers who graduated from the CHP Academy on Friday, Sept. 13. After 26 weeks of intensive training, the group was officially sworn in.
Andre came from Lake County, said CHP Sgt. Joel Skeen.
Newly promoted officers receive extensive in-field training with more experienced officers for approximately four months.
Lake County is different from larger metropolitan areas, with its unique landscape and rural roadways that will test these officer’s skills.
The ultimate goal is to get all newly promoted officers ready to face the challenges they will encounter on a day-to-day basis so they can provide the highest level of safety, service, and security to the people of California.
The CHP is hiring. Visit www.chpmadeformore.com for more information on how to make a difference in your community, save lives, and have a great career as a CHP officer.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
The data covers 433,180 positions and approximately $27.74 billion in total wages.
All 11 UC institutions — including 10 campuses and the Office of the President — voluntarily filed compliant reports with the State Controller’s Office.
UC data covers 334,825 employees and more than $23.11 billion in total wages. 38 CCC districts voluntarily filed compliant reports with the State Controller’s Office.
California Community College data published covers 98,355 employees and nearly $4.63 billion in total wages.
Twenty-one CCC districts did not file a report with SCO, while another 14 filed reports that were not compliant.
Among the districts that did not file were the two that serve Lake County — Mendocino-Lake Community College District and the Yuba Community College District.
California law requires cities, counties and special districts to annually report compensation data to the state controller.
The state controller also maintains and publishes state and CSU salary data. No such statutory requirement exists for UC, California Community Colleges, superior courts, fairs and expositions, First 5 commissions, or K-12 education providers; their reporting is voluntary.
The Government Compensation in California site contains pay and benefit information on more than two million government jobs in California, as reported annually by each entity.
Users of the site can view compensation levels on maps and search by region; narrow results by name of the entity or by job title; and export raw data or custom reports.
As the chief fiscal officer of California, Controller Cohen is responsible for accountability and disbursement of the state’s financial resources. The controller has independent auditing authority over government agencies that spend state funds.