Preventing Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying

National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC)
A public advertising campaign aimed at preventing cyberbullying:

http://www.ncpc.org/cyberbullying/


If you’re like most teenagers, you spend a lot of time on a cell phone or instant messenger chatting with friends and uploading photos, videos, and music to websites. You may have online friends whom you’ve never met in person, with whom you play games and exchange messages.

Teens’ lives exist in a variety of places such as school hallways, part-time jobs, and friends’ houses. Now many teens also have lives on the Internet. And bullying has followed teens online.

Online bullying, called cyberbullying, happens when teens use the Internet, cell phones, or other devices to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person. Cyberbullying is a problem that affects almost half of all American teens.

Whether you’ve been a victim of cyberbullying, know someone who has been cyberbullied, or have even cyberbullied yourself, there are steps you and your friends can take to stop cyberbullying and stay cyber-safe.

* How Are Teens Cyberbullied?

* How Do Victims React?

* How Can I Prevent Cyberbullying?

* What Else Can I Do To Stay Cyber-safe?

http://www.ncpc.org/cyberbullying/



For More Information
Check out the following resources to learn more about preventing cyberbullying:

^ Internet Safety - Cyberbullying and Cyberstalking
National Criminal Justice Reference Service

https://www.ncjrs.gov/internetsafety/cyber.html


^ http://www.ncpc.org provides information about stopping cyberbullying before it starts.

^ Stop Cyberbullying Before It Starts (PDF) provides useful information for parents:

http://www.ncpc.org/resources/files/pdf/bullying/cyberbullying.pdf

^ http://www.cyberbullying.us/ provides cyberbullying research, stories, cases, downloads, fact sheets, tips and strategies, news headlines, a blog, and a number of other helpful resources on their comprehensive public service website.

^ http://www.stopcyberbullying.org has a fun quiz to rate your online behavior, information about why some people cyberbully, and how to stop yourself from cyberbullying.

^ http://www.wiredsafety.com provides information about what to do if you are cyberbullied.

^ http://www.stopbullyingnow.com has information about what you can do to stop bullying.

For more information, contact your local sheriff''s station of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

405 freeway over Sepulveda Pass has reopened 17+ hours ahead of schedule

405 freeway over Sepulveda Pass has reopened 17+ hours ahead of schedule http://bit.ly/pIkgDD @I_405 #405Official #Carmageddon

Metro News Release

http://thesource.metro.net/2011/07/17/405-freeway-over-sepulveda-pass-to-reopen-about-1130-a-m-sunday-17-plus-hours-ahead-of-schedule/



Forwarded by:
Captain Mike Parker
Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau - Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
(323) 267-4800
http://www.lasd.org
SHBNewsroom@lasd.org
Twitter @LASD_News http://twitter.com/#!/LASD_News
http://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesCountySheriffsDepartment

Law Enforcement Will not Ticket Expired Registration in California

News Release from the California Department of Motor Vehicles
Changes Impacting Vehicle Registration Renewal Fees Due July 1, 2011 & Later:

"...Law enforcement is aware and will not cite vehicles until the first day of the second month after the vehicle registration expires. For example: A vehicle with a registration expiration date of July 10th would not be cited for delinquent registration prior to September 1, 2011."

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/newsrel/newsrel11/julyrenewals.htm

***

News Release - California Department of Motor Vehicles

DMV has resumed normal processing timeframes for July 1, 2011, and later registration renewals. Vehicle registrations due in July, August and September, can be renewed now using DMV's online renewal program without waiting for a billing notice from DMV.

Billing notices are being mailed out as quickly as possible. NOTE: The late payment penalty amounts described on the notices do not apply. Vehicle owners are being provided a 30-day grace period for the remainder of the year. A special insert (see http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/newsrel/newsrel11/julyrenewals.htm#ISD94image ) in the billing notice provides more information about the grace period.

Fee changes include:

Vehicle License Fee rate decreased from 1.15% to 0.65%, and,
A $12 increase in the registration fee (from $34 to $46).
Customers are encouraged to utilize the renewal by mail or online Internet renewal program to renew their registration. These alternative service delivery options will automatically waive late fees for first 30 days after expiration date. New registration cards and stickers will be issued as quickly as possible.

Law enforcement is aware and will not cite vehicles until the first day of the second month after the vehicle registration expires. For example: A vehicle with a registration expiration date of July 10th would not be cited for delinquent registration prior to September 1, 2011.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/newsrel/newsrel11/julyrenewals.htm

***

Cambios en la renovación de las matrículas de vehículos que se vencerán el 1º de julio de 2011 y después de tal fecha
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/newsrel/newsrel11/julyrenewals.htm?lang=es

El DMV ha reanudado los plazos normales de trámites para las renovaciones de matrícula de vehículos que se vencen a partir del 1º de julio de 2011. Las matrículas de vehículos que se vencen en julio, agosto y septiembre pueden ser renovadas ahora usando el programa de renovación en el sitio de Internet del DMV sin tener que esperar por un aviso de cobro del DMV.

Los avisos de cobro están siendo enviados por correo lo más pronto posible. NOTA: Las multas por pagos atrasados publicadas en los avisos no corresponden. A los dueños de vehículos se les está dando 30 días de período de gracia por el resto del año. Un aviso especial http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/newsrel/newsrel11/julyrenewals.htm?lang=es en la factura de cobro le proveerá más información sobre el período de gracia.

Los cambios en los pagos incluyen lo siguiente:

Reducción de la tasa de pago de la licencia vehicular de 1.15% a 0.65% y
Aumento de $12 en el pago de matrícula (de $34 a $46).
Se les recomienda a los clientes utilizar la renovación por correo o el programa de renovación por Internet para renovar su matrícula. Estas opciones alternativas de servicio perdonarán automáticamente las multas por pagos atrasados durante los primeros 30 días después de la fecha de vencimiento. Nuevas tarjetas de matrícula y calcomanías serán expedidas lo más pronto posible.

Las autoridades policiales están conscientes y no multarán a los vehículos hasta el primer día del segundo mes después que la renovación de la matrícula se haya vencido. Por ejemplo: la renovación de una matrícula de vehículo que se venza el 10 de julio no estará sujeta a multas antes del 1º de septiembre de 2011.


Forwarded by:
Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau - Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
(323) 267-4800
http://www.lasd.org
SHBNewsroom@lasd.org
Twitter @LASD_News http://twitter.com/#!/LASD_News
http://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesCountySheriffsDepartment

Grandma Scam on the Rise; Seniors Warned to Take Care

Grandma Scam on the Rise; Seniors Warned to Take Care


The District Attorney's Office is warning the public about an ongoing scam targeting the elderly. Law enforcement has seen an increase in the number of reported victims in the so-called "Grandma Scam."



Crooks prey on grandparents by pretending to be a grandchild in trouble in a foreign country who needs money right away. The scam is


DA Dumanis warns seniors about the "Grandma Scam." Anna (right) is a recent victim. She wired about $3,000 to Mexico.

effective because it catches seniors off guard and tugs at their heartstrings.



"It may be hard to believe that someone would fall for this despicable scam," DA Dumanis said. "But, it happens all too often. Our office urges the public to spread the word on how the scam works so we can reduce the number of victims."








Click here to follow the DA on Facebook!



DA CRIMINAL

CASE FILES



Thomas Everett Taylor, 65, was sentenced to 22 years in state prison for beating his sleeping wife to death with a "police-style'' flashlight.



Mark Kaczmarczyk, 59, who was found guilty in March of felony child abuse and lewd act on a child, was sentenced to eight years in prison. His wife Anita Kaczmarczyk, 45, was convicted of misdemeanor and felony child abuse and was sentenced to six years in prison. The couple operated an in-home day care.



David Thomas Blood, 51, pleaded guilty theft, burglary assault and other charges for his role in in tackling a woman in Hillcrest and trying to rape her. Blood is facing up to 48 years-to-life in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced this month.



Mark Anthony Diaz, 50, was convicted of first-degree murder and
other charges, and faces up to 96 years to life in prison, after fatally shooting another trainer and two others at a Vista gym. He will be sentenced at the end of the month.

Drive defensively: Experts say 11% to 14% of drivers tested positive for drug use. The driver next to you may be impaired @NHTSAgov

Drive defensively: Experts say 11% to 14% of drivers tested positive for drug use. The driver next to you may be impaired @NHTSAgov

Drive defensively: The driver next to you may be impaired. Experts say 11% of drivers tested positive for drug use during the daytime, and 14% during nighttime.


1. The value of defensive driving: The driver next to you may be impaired
By Shari Roan, Los Angeles Times / News from the health world, June 23, 2011

"Drunk or impaired drivers cause plenty of problems on the nation's roadways. And, according to the first study of its kind, a frightening number of drivers are not fit to drive. Researchers... set out to randomly sample drivers' sobriety... Among daytime drivers, 11% were positive for drug use based on saliva tests... In contrast, 14.4% of nighttime drivers tested positive for drugs... Alcohol was found more than any other drug, with marijuana coming in second...

(Click on the link below to read the article. Note: News media articles are provided for your convenience. The LASD does not endorse products or services):

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jun/23/news/la-heb-impaired-driving-20110623


2. Stoned driving is uncharted territory: Experts say they don't know what level of marijuana impairs a driver, but statistics show that fatal crashes involving drugged drivers have jumped. Law enforcement puts much of the blame on the growth of medical marijuana use.

By Ralph Vartabedian, Los Angeles Times, July 2, 2011

(Click on the link below to read the article. Note: News media articles are provided for your convenience. The LASD does not endorse products or services):

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-pot-drivers-20110703,0,5540871,full.story

Prison terms for crack cocaine offenses reduced

Prison terms for crack cocaine offenses reduced

The U.S. Sentencing Commission brings such sentences in line with the shorter terms given to powder cocaine offenders.

By Richard A. Serrano, Washington Bureau July 1, 2011
Reporting from Washington

About 12,000 federal prisoners nationwide may soon be going home, some as much as three years early, under a U.S. Sentencing Commission decision to allow retroactive reductions in prison terms for inmates convicted of crack cocaine offenses.

The commission voted unanimously Thursday to bring "unfairly long sentences" for crack offenders, mostly African Americans, more in line with the shorter terms given to powder cocaine offenders, often white and sometimes affluent.

Patti B. Saris, the panel's chairwoman, said that when Congress passed the Fair Sentencing Act last year, it "recognized the fundamental unfairness of federal cocaine sentencing policy," and the commission sought to bridge the disparity between the two prison sentences.

"Justice demands this result," added Ketanji Brown Jackson, the commission's vice chairman.

When the reductions go into effect in November, the average crack sentence will be cut by about 37 months, and the federal Bureau of Prisoners said the reductions could save more than $200 million in the next five years. Nearly 6% of the federal inmate population would be released.

The reductions are not automatic. Prisoners must file a petition, and will be required to show they are no longer a risk to society. Inmates who used weapons in their crimes or have lengthy criminal histories may not be eligible.

The commission's mail, about 43,500 letters and emails, ran overwhelmingly in favor of the reductions. The Sentencing Project, a Washington group that pushes for reform in sentencing laws, also strongly encouraged approval of the reductions.

Kara Gotsch, director of advocacy for the Sentencing Project, said the panel's vote "confirms that fairness and equal treatment under the law are fundamental principles of our criminal justice system."

But Republicans, most notably Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, opposed the reductions. He had lobbied the commission not to grant the early releases, warning it "merely gets criminals back into action faster."

The vote came after a divided U.S. Supreme Court ordered California to reduce its prison population by more than 30,000 inmates, a ruling that also drew criticism from many prominent conservatives. But California may not see that many prison term reductions for crack offenders, as officials said only 138 inmates would be eligible for relief in the seven counties in the Los Angeles area.

The harsher punishments for crack offenders began in the mid-1980s, when the epidemic swept much of the nation. Legislation was rushed through to try to stop the trend by enacting tough prison sentences. When Congress changed the sentencing law last year, it did not address the fate of thousands of prisoners sentenced under the old system or those arrested just before the law was changed.

richard.serrano@latimes.com