Kids Are Easy Victims Safety Devices For Our Children http://www.walkmate.com/ http://www.parkwatch.com/ http://www.digitalangel.net/ Car Tracker:http://www.siemens.com/index.jsp ____________________________________________________________ http://www.nationalalertregistry.com http://www.amberalert.gov/ http://www.amberalert.com/childhelp.php http://codeamber.org/ http://www.amberalert.com/amber-alert-child-id-kit.php http://www.amberalert.com/register.php http://kids.getnetwise.org/ http://www.thesafeside.com/ http://www.safechild.org/ http://www.mcgruff.org/ http://www.kidpower.org/ Sites teaching children online safety: www.netsmartz.org www.safekids.com www.livewwwires.com www.webwisekids.com www.wiredkids.org Law enforcement agencies: www.cybercrime.gov www.fbi.gov http://www1.ifccfbi.gov/index.asp http://caag.state.ca.us/megan/index.htm www.lasd.org Parent guides to the Internet (learning how to use it and control its content): www.ed.gov/pubs/parents/internet/ www.learnthenet.com www.warnerbros.com/ltti/index.html www.ctw.org/parents/techtips/ www.webopedia.com www.microsoft.com/Windows/ie/using/howto/contendadv/ config.asp www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/ columns/bowman/02june03.asp www.wiredsafety.org Parent guides to safe Internet sites for children: www.ala.org/parentspage/greatsites www.getnetwise.org www.sitesforparents.com www.surfnetkids.com www.cybercitizenship.org www.loc.gov www.micorsoft.com/INFO/safeonlinedefault.htm www.safekids.com/parent_guidelines.htm http://da.co.la.ca.us/pok/pokpredators.htm

Parental Liability California Civil Code § 1714.1 (2003) 1714.1. Civil liability of parents for minor’s acts of willful misconduct resulting in death, personal injury, or property damage (a) Any act of willful misconduct of a minor which results in injury or death to another person or in any injury to the property of another shall be imputed to the parent or guardian having custody and control of the minor for all purposes of civil damages, and the parent or guardian having custody and control shall be jointly and severally liable with the minor for any damages resulting from the willful misconduct. Subject to the provisions of subdivision (c), the joint and several liability of the parent or guardian having custody and control of a minor under this subdivision shall not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for each tort of the minor, and in the case of injury to a person, imputed liability shall be further limited to medical, dental and hospital expenses incurred by the injured person, not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000). The liability imposed by this section is in addition to any liability now imposed by law. (b) Any act of willful misconduct of a minor which results in the defacement of property of another with paint or a similar substance shall be imputed to the parent or guardian having custody and control of the minor for all purposes of civil damages, including court costs, and attorney's fees, to the prevailing party, and the parent or guardian having custody and control shall be jointly and severally liable with the minor for any damages resulting from the willful misconduct, not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000), except as provided in subdivision (c), for each tort of the minor. (c) The amounts listed in subdivision (a) and (b) shall be adjusted every two years by the Judicial Council to reflect any increases in the cost of living in California, as indicated by the annual average of the California Consumer Price Index. The Judicial Council shall round this adjusted amount up or down to the nearest hundred dollars. On or before January 1, 1997, and on or before January 1 of each odd-numbered year thereafter, the Judicial Council shall compute and publish the amounts listed in subdivision (a) and (b), as adjusted according to this subdivision. (d) The maximum liability imposed by this section is the maximum liability authorized under this section at the time that the act of willful misconduct by a minor was committed. (e) Nothing in this section shall impose liability on an insurer for a loss caused by the willful act of the insured for purposes of Section 533 of the Insurance Code. An insurer shall not be liable for the conduct imputed to a parent or guardian by this section for any amount in excess of ten thousand dollars ($10,000). Blogs Web logs – “blogs” for short – are very popular among young people. Blogs are used to post thoughts, opinions, photos, and other material on the Web for the online community to read. Some bloggers have their own Web site; others post their blogs on one of many blog-hosting sites. These hosting sites are very popular with young people, who often post their journals, photos, and other personal information. Blogs, however, are not fixed communications. Postings can be added and replied to on a continuing basis. While children may enjoy “blogging,” it can be dangerous. Unlike a bedside journal or diary, blogs are accessible to strangers. That means online predators – who search blog-hosting sites for potential targets – can learn personal information about the children who post blogs. Furthermore, predators are almost always able to contact the child who posted the blog by sending a message through the Web site. Tips to keep your children safe from the dangers associated with blogging: * Don’t allow your children to post a blog or online profile. Explain to them that blogs can often be viewed by anyone – even people that they should not trust. * If your child has posted a Web site, profile, or blog on the Internet, check the content regularly for appropriateness. * Make sure your children know never to divulge personal information on the Internet, whether through a blog, profile, chat room, e-mail, or Instant Message. Personal information can include their name, phone number, address, or birthday. Even seemingly innocuous information – such as the mascot at their school – can help strangers determine where they live. * Don’t allow your child to post his or her photo online. * Consider installing monitoring software that will enable you to monitor how the computer is being used and what your child is doing on it. * Remind your children that they should not contact anyone online whom they don’t know in person, even if the person has a blog that looks interesting to them. * Always get to know your children’s online friends and with whom they are communicating. Newsgroups, Forums, & Bulletin Boards Newsgroups – sometimes called online bulletin boards – are Web sites that serve as forums for groups of people with shared interests. Participants in a newsgroup can read and display messages and post and download files and photos. Unlike chat rooms, newsgroups are not “real-time” or live discussions. Material posted on the sites remains there for the newsgroup’s members to view at their convenience. Depending on the newsgroup, postings can remain on the site indefinitely. Newsgroups exist on every topic and interest imaginable, from golf to travel to computers. But many newsgroups focus on subject matters that are inappropriate for children. Some are dedicated to violence, pornography, hate activity, drug use, and other objectionable topics. Newsgroups pose several dangers to children: * Some deal with inappropriate and illicit subject matters. Content and images posted on these sites can be disturbing and otherwise emotionally harmful to children. * Because people can post messages to each other on a newsgroup’s Web site, children in newsgroups can be easily contacted by strangers, including Internet predators. * Because they are often unmonitored, even newsgroups dealing with harmless subject matters are very likely to be polluted with objectionable postings. * The topic of a newsgroup gives strangers insight into subjects that interest participating children. Knowing that information can help child predators gain their trust. * A child’s postings – such as writings, photos, or other material of a personal nature – are available for anyone in the newsgroup to see. * It is difficult to know the true identities of members of a newsgroup. This means parents will not know who is actually viewing their children’s postings on a newsgroup and what their motivations may be. Tips for Parents * Restrict your children’s participation in newsgroups. If your child is a newsgroup member, ensure the subject matter is appropriate and monitor the newsgroup’s postings regularly. * Explain to your children that they should never post identifying photos or personal information about themselves or their family on a newsgroup’s Web site. Online Games As any parent knows, home video games have long been a favorite pastime for young people. Now, the Internet has taken video games to a whole new level. Today’s video game systems use home Internet connections to connect a user to other players all over the world. This feature enables users to compete live against people who are at other locations. A child, for example, can now play a video game live against his or her friend without either of them having to leave their homes. In addition to video game systems, many Web sites offer interactive games. Electronic versions of traditional games – such as chess or checkers – allow players to compete against the computer or other players online. While children are attracted to interactive video games, high-tech game playing can also pose risks. Individuals engaged in interactive game playing have the ability to chat with each other while they play, or “game chat.” This means children playing games online are more likely to be contacted by strangers – individuals they don’t know personally but whom they may feel comfortable with simply because of their game-playing relationship. Pedophiles and other predators often play interactive games and surf the Internet simply to find potential targets. To initiate contact with a child, a predator might pose as another kid. This can be done easily because some video game systems allow players to mask their voice to conceal their identity. Another area of concern for parents is game content. Many games are inappropriate for children. Games dealing with sex, violence, crime, and destruction can be purchased at local stores or downloaded online. Parents should monitor the kinds of games their children play. Parents can safeguard their children’s online gaming by doing the following: * Monitor your children while they play interactive video games or games on interactive Web sites. * If your children are playing interactively with someone online, find out with whom they are playing. * Strongly consider restricting your children from playing games with anyone they do not know in person. * Monitor game chats and Instant Messages received from others while your children are playing games online. * Make sure your children understand never to give out personal information about themselves or anyone in their family. * Educate yourself about the kinds of games available. Like movies, games have ratings. Pay attention to the game ratings of each game your child uses to make sure the content is appropriate. * Keep the video gaming system or computer in a common area that can be easily monitored. * Play your children’s video games with them to become familiar with their content and the kinds of game chats and other interactions they engage in with other players. * Set rules and limit the amount of time your child spends online playing games. Narcotics Drug abuse damages all sectors of society. Drugs destroy individual lives, break families apart, and are very often the motivating factor behind crimes. To combat the drug problem, the District Attorney’s Office pursues several strategies. The Office participates in Drug Court, an effective diversion program for drug abusers. When cases are not appropriate for Drug Court, the District Attorney’s Office effectively prosecutes drug cases. In addition, the District Attorney’s Office has established the Major Narcotics Division, a team of specially trained attorneys responsible for prosecuting significant narcotics trafficking organizations in Los Angeles County. This Division ensures that highly effective prosecutors represent the people of the State of California in cases against drug traffickers most responsible for the drug supply. The Division also is responsible for processing all applications for wiretaps, an effective information tool against drug traffickers and dealers. The Major Narcotics Division prosecutes the following types of cases: * Seizures of large quantities of narcotics, such as cocaine and methamphetamine * Mid-level dealers involved in a conspiracy to distribute narcotics * Clandestine lab cases, including cases with multiple defendants conspiring to manufacture drugs or individuals supplying chemicals necessary for the manufacture of drugs * Any narcotics case resulting from a federal or state wiretap * Specialty narcotics cases involving informants; more than $100,000; reverse stings; narcotics facilitators; or murder Drug Endangered Children (DEC) Response Team The clandestine manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine has created a public health and safety crisis in Los Angeles County. One aspect of that crisis jeopardizes the safety of children long before the drugs hit the streets. More than 80 percent of all meth labs seized are found in homes, garages, apartments, motels, or mobile homes where children are often present. These labs, stocked with toxic chemicals and at high risk for explosions, expose children to highly dangerous living conditions. To address this issue, the District Attorney’s Office and Department of Children and Family Services have teamed with the Los Angeles Interagency Police Apprehension Crime Task Force to create the Drug Endangered Children (DEC) Response Team. The DEC Response Team specializes in seizing labs that manufacture methamphetamine and provides a coordinated response to the crisis of children found in home meth labs. To date, more than 600 children have been rescued from meth labs. All have received specialized medical and social services to diagnose and treat the physical and emotional effects of drug exposure. In addition, the District Attorney’s Office has vertically prosecuted 420 criminal defendants involved in the manufacture of methamphetamine, meaning one highly trained prosecutor handled each case from beginning to end. In 2003, the District Attorney’s Drug Endangered Children Response Team was named a Top Ten Award Winner by the Los Angeles County’s Quality and Productivity Commission at its annual awards program. The DEC Response Team has saved Los Angeles County $15 million in costs. More importantly, it has potentially saved the lives of hundreds of children.

Child Abduction Child abduction is a serious and traumatic crime. While everyone has become aware of frightening "stranger kidnappings," abductions are most often carried out by people who know the child. The District Attorney’s Office is committed to combating both types of abductions and to protecting the custody rights of parents and legal guardians throughout Los Angeles County. The District Attorney’s Child Abduction Section is comprised of specially trained prosecutors and investigators who assist parents and children in three important ways: Criminal Prosecution Experienced deputy district attorneys in the Child Abduction Section vigorously prosecute all individuals who abduct, conceal, or withhold a child from a parent who lives in Los Angeles County. Family Court Enforcement The Child Abduction Section enforces Family Court orders in certain situations when a child has been abducted or concealed from a parent in violation of a custody order. Specially trained investigators regularly travel across the United States to physically recover children and bring them back to their lawful custodians. International Child Abduction Assistance Specially trained staff in the Child Abduction Section work with international treaties and protocols to return children that have been abducted to other countries from Los Angeles County. For more information about the services provided by the Child Abduction Section, please continue to browse our website by clicking on the links at the top of the page. You can also call the Child Abduction Section at (213) 974-3931 Hate Crimes Hate crimes are criminal acts or attempted criminal acts that are motivated because of a person's actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender, or disability. Because they threaten the very foundation on which our country was created – equality for all – they attack not only the individual victim, but our most cherished principles. Hate crimes have historically been underreported. Consequently, hate groups and individuals have the false impression that their conduct will not be reported and prosecuted. That is why the arrest and prosecution of persons committing these crimes are important – both to punish the guilty and to deter others from engaging in this ugly behavior. If you or anyone you know is a victim of a hate crime, it is important that you report it to your local law enforcement agency. The District Attorney's Hate Crimes Unit has highly experienced lawyers who specialize in the prosecution of the most egregious hate crimes. Specially trained prosecutors in the Victim Impact Program handle hate crime cases throughout the outlying areas of the County. Whether handled by the Hate Crimes Unit or the Victim Impact Program, hate crimes are vertically prosecuted, which means that one lawyer handles the case from start to finish.

Family Violence Stopping the cycle of domestic violence is a major priority of the District Attorney's Office. The office does this by diligently prosecuting family violence crimes and helping victims with care and compassion. The District Attorney’s Office also participates in multi-agency efforts to combat family violence throughout the County. As chief prosecutor in the county, the District Attorney appoints the Chair of the Los Angeles County Domestic Violence Council. Pamela Booth, the Head Deputy of the District Attorney’s Family Violence Division, currently serves as Chair. The Family Violence Division, which handles cases in Downtown Los Angeles and the surrounding areas, was created to deal with the most serious offenders and to sensitively help victims with the healing process. The Family Violence Division is comprised of specially trained attorneys who vertically prosecute spousal abuse, physical child abuse, and other domestic violence crimes. This means that one deputy district attorney handles each case from beginning to end. The District Attorney’s Victim Impact Program enhances the Office’s ability to prosecute family violence crimes throughout the outlying areas of the County. The District Attorney’s Office pledges to treat all family violence victims with the dignity and understanding they deserve. We will file criminal charges whenever there is legally sufficient evidence of a family violence crime and hope that all victims cooperate with our efforts. However, because our client, the People of the State of California, has an interest in protecting the safety of family violence victims and holding perpetrators accountable for their crimes, the District Attorney’s Office will proceed with family violence prosecutions with or without the victim’s cooperation. Gang Crimes * Suppression * Intervention * Prevention More than 1,400 criminal street gangs exist in Los Angeles County. Gang crimes – from graffiti and quality of life problems to murder and extortion – devastate a community’s well-being and sense of security. To fight gang activity, the District Attorney’s Office pursues a comprehensive strategy that includes suppression, intervention, and prevention. Suppression Prosecution & Witness Protection The District Attorney’s Office removes dangerous criminals from the street by aggressively prosecuting criminal gang activity. The Hardcore Gang Division is comprised of more than 50 specially trained and highly experienced attorneys who prosecute the most difficult gang murder and attempted murder cases in Los Angeles County. Laws such as Penal Code Section 186.20, the Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention (STEP) Act, enable deputy district attorneys to seek enhanced penalties and stiffer sentences for gang members. The Hardcore Gang Division vertically prosecutes cases throughout the county, which means that one deputy district attorney prosecutes each case from beginning to end. The testimony of crime witnesses is vital to the prosecution of gang cases. The District Attorney’s Office recognizes that fear of gangs can prevent witnesses from cooperating with a prosecution. As a result, deputy district attorneys often work with the D.A.’s Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement agencies to relocate witnesses to safer environments. C.L.E.A.R. Hardcore Gang prosecutors participate in the six Community Law Enforcement And Recovery (C.L.E.A.R.) program sites throughout the County. C.L.E.A.R. – a multi-agency collaborative law enforcement effort – targets members of specific gangs that pose the greatest threat to a specifically defined community. By teaming with police, deputy sheriffs, probation officers, deputy city attorneys, and others, prosecutors effectively combat gang activity. C.L.E.A.R. Program Sites: * L.A.P.D. Devonshire Division * L.A.P.D. Foothill Division * L.A.P.D. Newton Division * L.A.P.D. Northeast Division * L.A.P.D. Pacific Division * L.A.S.D. Century Station (Florencia) H.E.A.T. Deputy district attorneys in the Heightened Enforcement And Targeting (H.E.A.T.) program also work closely with local police to monitor and prosecute the most dangerous gang criminals. H.E.A.T. is similar to C.L.E.A.R., but it targets more specifically defined gang problems and activities that each community has identified. The program is tailored to each site, and often focuses on juvenile gang activity. H.E.A.T. Sites: * Athens * East Los Angeles * Inglewood (Juvenile) * Lancaster * Lennox * Long Beach (Juvenile) * Pasadena * Pasadena (Juvenile) * Valinda Unsolved Homicide Team Some of the most senior gang prosecutors in the District Attorney’s Office are assigned to the Unsolved Homicide Team, a team that works with expert law enforcement detectives to investigate and prosecute previously unsolved gang crimes. Intervention Deputy district attorneys work in communities throughout the County to respond to gang violence, drug dealers, and other public nuisance problems that deteriorate the quality of life in a neighborhood. Prosecutors in the Strategies Against Gang Violence (S.A.G.E.) program are assigned to particular cities and communities to work proactively with law enforcement, residents, local officials, businesses, and others in developing and implementing crime combating strategies. Prosecutors and community outreach representatives also serve on the county’s 13 regional Interagency Gang Task Forces. Each task force – which includes representatives from law enforcement, government agencies, and other community stakeholders – aims to develop effective strategies to combat gangs in its region. The District Attorney’s Office has also allocated resources specifically to help craft gang injunctions. Injunctions are a civil approach to dealing with the gang problem. Injunctions target specific gangs and gang members, making it a crime for them to conduct certain activities. Injunctions are imposed in specific areas and have helped communities reclaim parks, neighborhoods, and other areas previously held hostage by gangs. Prevention In addition to prosecution and intervention efforts, the District Attorney’s Office works with youth to prevent gang involvement. Whether fighting truancy, mentoring youth, or teaching elementary school students about the social and legal consequences of crime, the District Attorney’s Office helps prevent youth involvement in gangs. Visit this website’s Working with Communities section to read more about the District Attorney’s crime prevention initiatives. Sex Crimes / Child Sexual Abuse * Family Violence * Drug Rape Campaign & Poster Request * Download "Sexual Assault" Pamphlet * Download "Child Abuse" Pamphlet * Download "Child Abuse Reporting" Pamphlet Sexual crimes and child sexual abuse are among the most devastating of crimes. Through their criminal acts, sex crime and child sexual abuse offenders can inflict severe physical, emotional, and psychological trauma on their victims. The effects can be long-lasting; the healing process can be an arduous one. The District Attorney’s Office understands this and vigorously seeks justice for victims of sexual assault and child sexual abuse. The Sex Crimes Division has experienced, specially trained attorneys dedicated solely to the prosecution of sex crimes and child sexual abuse cases within the Central District. The District Attorney’s Victim Impact Program ensures that specially trained prosecutors handle sexual abuse cases throughout all other parts of the County. Whether handled by the Sex Crimes Division or the Victim Impact Program, cases are vertically prosecuted. This means that one specialized deputy district attorney who understands the psychological impact of sexual crimes handles the case from beginning to end. In the midst of their ordeal, therefore, victims need to deal with only one attorney and will always know whom to call with a question. Because many sexual assailants are repeat offenders, it is important that victims report sexual assaults to their local police or sheriff’s station. By reporting crimes, victims help bring an attacker to justice and prevent further offenses. Reporting a crime and cooperating with the police also makes victims eligible for free counseling and for compensation from the state’s fund for victims of violent crime. The District Attorney’s Victim-Witness Assistance Program has victim service representatives who will help sexual assault and child sexual abuse victims utilize all the resources available to them and ensure that their rights are protected. Sexual Assault Hotlines Antelope Valley Sexual Assault Hotline (661) 723-7273 L.A. Commission on Assaults Against Women (L.A.C.A.A.W.) (213) 626-3393 (310) 392-8381 Long Beach (562) 597-2002 Los Angeles County Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 978-3600 National AIDS Hotline (800) 342-2437 National Rape Crisis Center Hotline (800) 656-HOPE Pacific Asian (24-hour Chinese, Korean, Filipino, & Vietnamese languages) (323) 653-4042 Pasadena (626) 793-3385 Pomona (909) 626-4357 Rosa Parks Sexual Assault Crisis Center (Greater Los Angeles area) (310) 854-4319 Santa Clarita (661) 253-0258 Santa Monica Hospital Rape Treatment Center (310) 319-4347 Valley Trauma Center (818) 886-0453 Stalking Stalking is one of the most intimidating crimes. Stalkers destroy their victims’ sense of security and cause them to live in a constant state of anxiety and fear. There are many different behaviors that can be called stalking, but all share two common features: they involve actions not wanted by the victim and they threaten or cause fear to the victim. One out of every 12 women is stalked during her lifetime. Stalking cases often involve spouses or partners – both current and former. However, the crime is not limited to domestic violence cases. Strangers, either male or female, can stalk victims of either gender. To respond to the growing stalking problem, the District Attorney’s Office established S.T.A.T., the Stalking and Threat Assessment Team. This team of specially trained prosecutors and investigators works with law enforcement, mental health professionals, the private sector, and community-based victims’ rights organizations to combat this serious crime. Deputy district attorneys in S.T.A.T. vertically prosecute serious stalking, threat, and workplace-violence cases, which means that one prosecutor handles each case from beginning to end. In addition, S.T.A.T. members provide training to other prosecutors, law enforcement, the judiciary, and victims’ organizations to ensure that stalkers are prosecuted appropriately and that the dignity and safety of victims is always maintained. To provide more information about stalking, resources for victims, and what victims can do to protect themselves, the District Attorney’s Office has launched Love Me Not, a proactive, informative anti-stalking program.