Dear Friend:
 
Three years ago, I introduced a motion to see if we could improve our emergency response system by bringing Text to 9-1-1 to Los Angeles. Thanks to diligent work by the Los Angeles Police Department, as of last Friday, it's here.

Mobile users in the City of Los Angeles now have the ability to send text messages to 9-1-1, giving hearing and speech impaired residents, or those in situations where it is too dangerous to dial 9-1-1, a potentially life saving option. With LA going live, nearly all mobile users throughout LA County will be covered by the technology. "Call if you can, text if you can't," is the slogan developed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as the new technology debuts in the nation's second largest city and most populous county. The city of Los Angeles and the LAPD will play an integral role in this new technology that has the potential to impact millions of Angelenos.

This technology will save lives by providing people with speech or hearing impairments greater access to this service, and allow anyone in dangerous situations to send texts instantaneously to a 9-1-1 operator. I applaud the LAPD and the LAFD for their hard work and greatly appreciate their partnership to get this critical public safety upgrade off the ground. 
 
Officials with the LAPD, LAFD, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the California Highway Patrol (CHP), and the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) made the announcement on the campus of California State University, Long Beach, the first Public Safety Answering Point in the state of California to accept 9-1-1 texts.

Below are some guidelines for how to contact 9-1-1 via text in an emergency:
  • Location accuracy varies by carrier and should not be relied upon. Be prepared to give your location.
  • Text to 9-1-1 service will not be available if the wireless carrier cannot ascertain a location of the device sending the message.
  • Text to 9-1-1 is not available if you are roaming.
  • A text or data plan is required to place a text to 9-1-1.
  • Photos and videos cannot be sent to 9-1-1 at this time (but we're working on it!).
  • Text message should be sent in plain language and not contain popular abbreviations (SMH, LOL, ICYMI) or emojis, which will not be recognized.
  • Text to 9-1-1 cannot be sent to more than one person. Do not send your emergency text to anyone other than 9-1-1.
  • Texts must be in English. There is currently no language interpretation for text available. It remains in development.

For more information on Text to 9-1-1 go to www.caloes.ca.gov 

 
If you have questions or comments, please contact me:  [email protected] .
 
Very truly yours,  
Councilmember Paul Krekorian, District 2
TOP STORIES
LA Firefighters Work to Tame Raging Wildfires
LAFD Firefighter on scene at Creek Fire. | LAFD Photo: Harry Garvin
  
LOS ANGELS - This week, six major wildfires raged across the Southern California region, razing more than 141,000 acres and displacing more than 212,000 residents in the Ventura, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Diego counties.  Thousands of dedicated first responders from the Los Angeles Fire Department and the Los Angeles Police Department, along with partner agencies, have been working in extremely dangerous conditions to save lives and protect homes in the impacted areas. 
 
While these wildfires continue to burn, please heed these reminders:
  • If you are in a mandatory evacuation zone due to a fire, leave your home immediately. DO NOT WAIT and do not return until you are permitted to do so! Help our heroic first responders by doing what they say as they put their lives on the line to help you.
  • As of now, all evacuation orders for the Creek Fire have been lifted, except for the Limekiln Canyon which remains closed. The Shadow Hills area north of Sunland Boulevard, Ebey Canyon, and Doane Canyon are open to residents only. Follow the updates on http://emergency.lacity.org/creek-fire.
 
Be smart, stay safe and be ready!
An Opportunity to Help Families in Need
  
EAST VALLEY - On December 14, Councilmember Krekorian is hosting a donation drive at the First Christian Church in Studio City to collect food and toys for disadvantaged families. Help make this holiday season a little brighter by participating in Krekorian's Holiday Food and Toy Drive. RSVP at www.paulkrekorian.org/holidayfoodandtoydrive2017.

Thursday, December 14
10 a.m. - 12 noon
First Christian Church
4390 Colfax Ave.
Studio City, CA 91604
What to Donate:
  • Food: non-perishable food items, including canned and boxed foods and packaged snacks.
  • Toys: unwrapped, new toys.
Please bring food and toy donations to the event and enjoy free coffee and pastries with Councilmember Krekorian: www.paulkrekorian.org/holidayfoodandtoydrive2017. Everything collected will go to families in need, with a portion donated to victims displaced by the Creek Fire.
Councilmembers Seek Funding for Victims of
Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking
 
LOS ANGELES - This week, the City Council unanimously approved a motion co-presented by Councilmembers Krekorian and Martinez calling for a report on how homelessness services funding generated by LA County's Measure H will be used to enhance services to victims of domestic and intimate partner violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. 

The Krekorian-Martinez motion aims to address the rampant problems that impact homeless women and allocate more money to stop them. According to a 2016 survey of homeless women in downtown Los Angeles, more than half experienced domestic violence, approximately 40 percent experienced sexual assault and nearly half experience violence within the past 12 months.  
 
Next, the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority and city departments will report back to the City Council on what projects should be funded, how money will be allocated to them and with a timeline for how quickly service goals can be met. Read the motion here. 
City Approves Recreational Cannabis Regulations
 
LOS ANGELES - The City Council voted this week to impose regulations on the recreational sale of marijuana in Los Angeles. This action follows the passage of a statewide voter initiative in 2016 that allowed cities to regulate recreational sales across the state beginning in January 2018. 

Throughout the discussions, Councilmember Krekorian consistently pushed for tight restrictions, including banning sales in residential neighborhoods and requiring that they can only operate in specific commercial and industrial zones and be at least 700 feet away from schools, public parks and libraries, child care centers, alcohol and drug treatment centers and other sensitive sites. Krekorian stepped in to ensure that violent felons would not be allowed to obtain a license to sell cannabis. Councilmembers also decided to cap the number of shops, growers and manufacturers allowed in each community.

Some additional issues raised by the new regulatory framework will be taken up by various Council committees in the coming months.  
CITY HIGHLIGHT
RecycLA Customers Have Rights
 
 
LOS ANGELES -  Business and property owners deserve predictable and transparent costs for trash collection. Last week, Mayor Garcetti directed the Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation (LASAN) to raise greater awareness of Angelenos' rights under the Mayor's new recycLA waste hauling franchise.

The goal of recycLA is to modernize L.A.'s waste hauling system for commercial properties, apartment complexes, and condominium buildings. It is designed to create universal access to recycling, clean our air by mandating the use of clean fuel trucks, improve standards for customer service, and make rates uniform and transparent. By bringing recycling to commercial and large residential buildings, millions of tons of waste will be kept out of landfills - putting LA on the path to a 90 percent recycling rate by 2025.

Angelenos should be able to expect predictable, clearly-identified, and capped rates for services tailored to meet their specific needs. Here are several protections built into the city's agreement with haulers:
  • No fees or charges may be collected from a customer unless they have been clearly communicated in writing.
  • If a customer requests a change in service level that results in a lower rate, the designated recycLA service provider shall adjust the billing amount within seven days of the request.
  • If a provider bills a customer an amount higher than appropriate for the service the customer is receiving or an amount higher than the appropriate rate, the provider shall promptly credit the account for the full amount that was overbilled, retroactive to the date the overbilling began.

There are also additional steps that customers can take to save money: 

  • Customers should schedule a waste assessment with their designated recycLA service provider, to customize a service agreement to their specific needs. Providers are expected to help you determine the right level of service for the lowest possible cost - by looking at what size bins you need, how often they need to be picked up, and whether any additional services are necessary.  
  • If you believe you're being charged inappropriate extra fees by your provider, you have the right to an additional inspection from LASAN.
  • If you disagree with the fees, you have the right to dispute your bill through LASAN. Customers can request a bill review, and if the provider declines to adjust the fees, customers can appeal to LASAN - which makes the final decision on bill disputes.

All recycLA customers should expect to be provided with responsive and timely support from LASAN's Customer Care Center. If you have an issue that needs resolving, call 24 hours a day, seven days a week: (800) 773-2489. Detailed information on the program and the benefits of recycling can be found at recycla.com.
COMMUNITY CORNER
Celebrate the Holidays in Council District 2


EAST VALLEY - This holiday season, bring the whole family to great events happening at our public parks in Council District 2. The Department of Recreation and Parks is also offering a three week camp for kids. See all the details below.
 
STUDIO CITY
 
First Annual Frozen Out @ Studio City 
Sunday, December 10, 5 pm to 7:30 pm
Studio City Recreation Center
12621 Rye Street
Studio City, CA 91604 
 
Activities include screening of the movie Frozen, cookie decorating and letter writing to U.S. troops. Free hot chocolate for those who bring non-expired canned/packaged food and new unwrapped toy. For more information, call (818) 769-4415. 
 
NORTH HOLLYWOOD
 
Winter Holiday Show
Saturday, December 16, 12 noon to 3 pm 
North Hollywood Recreation Center
11430 Chandler Boulevard
North Hollywood, CA 91601 
 
Features performances by dance students, songs by the after school and pre-k programs, performance by karate class and other community groups. Ceramic tile painting, a visit by a special guest from the North Pole (with a toy giveaway for ages 2-12
while supplies last). Light refreshments, including pizza and cookies, will be served.  
 
3 Week Winter Camp
Monday, December 18 to Friday, January 5
7:30 am to 6 pm
North Hollywood Recreation Center
 
Activities include arts and crafts, games, sports, cooking and much more. There will be a field trip once a week for those signed up for the full week.
 
Week one costs $175 for five days with trip, or $140 for four days (no trip). Weeks two and three each cost $140 for four days with trip, or $105 for three days (no trip). For more information, call (818) 755-7654. 
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
Councilmember Krekorian joined Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian, Santa Claus and Members of Neighborhood Council Valley Village at this year's Light Up Valley Village event. | Photo: NCVV

Volunteers created thousands of lanterns out of paper bags, weights and lights at the Studio City Neighborhood Council's seventh annual Luminaria, held at the historic Campo de Cahuenga. | Photo: SCNC

COMMUNITY EVENTS
NoHo Art Walk 
Saturday, December 9, 2 pm to 6 pm
NoHo People St Plaza
 
NoHo Art  Walk invites you to explore the arts in the NoHo Arts District with a special walking tour of the area. The NoHo  Art  Walk takes place every second Saturday of the month. For more information, visit  www.facebook.com/nohoartwalk.
 
Coffee with a Cop
Thursday, December 14, 6:30 pm
Marie et Cie
Valley Village 
 
Councilmember Paul Krekorian, LAPD North Hollywood Division and Neighborhood Council Valley Village invite you to enjoy coffee and get to know the members of your local police department. RSVP at www.paulkrekorian.org/coffeewithacop.
Judith F. Baca's Experiments in Collaboration and Concrete
Through December 16
Monday - Saturday, 12 noon to 4 pm (Thursdays until 8 pm) 
CSUN Art Gallery
18111 Nordhoff Street  
Northridge, CA 91330
  
Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA art initiative in collaboration with the California State University Northridge Art Gallery presents an exhibit to showcase the extensive artistry of Valley Glen's Great Wall of Los Angeles mural and the artist behind it:  Judith F. Baca's Experiments in Collaboration and Concrete.
 
Holiday Hootenanny
Sunday, December 17, 4 pm
Caldwell Hall
Faith Presbyterian Church of Valley Village
5000 Colfax Ave.
Valley Village, CA 91335
   
Join Village Arts and Faith Presbyterian Church of Valley Village for a potluck, music festival and dance. Food and caroling will be available for the whole family to enjoy. $5 donation requested.
 
Simin Hope Foundation Toy Giveaway
Friday, December 22, 11 am to 4 pm
555 Cahuenga Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA
 
Join the Simin Hope Foundation for their fourth annual toy giveaway, supported by the LAPD. The event will feature live radio personalities, celebrity guests a winter wonderland and more. For more information, call (818) 339-7233 or visit www.siminhopefoundation.org.  
 
Wilacre Park Closure
Through January 5, 2018
3431 Fryman Rd
Studio City  

The park's trails will be closed during this period to allow crews the opportunity to safely complete the improvements. Other options that hikers, walkers, mountain bikers have to choose from, include Franklin and Coldwater Canyon parks, along with neighboring Runyon Canyon, Griffith Park, Marvin Braude Mulholland Gateway Park and Los Angeles River Greenway Park. For more information, visit www.wilacrepark.com.  
 
East San Fernando Valley Town Hall on Homelessness
Thursday, January 18, 6:30 pm
LA Valley College
 
Join Councilmember Krekorian for an informative town hall event to answer your questions and discuss what's being done to end homelessness in our city.  The town hall will feature a panel of leaders from the city, county, and relevant agencies, who will address and answer questions on homelessness throughout the East Valley and the complex challenges facing Los Angeles. To RSVP and submit your questions to the panelists, visit  www.paulkrekorian.org/cd2townhall .
 
LAPD Valley Traffic Division Blood Drive
Monday, January 22, 10 am to 4 pm
Location: Bloodmobile
7870 Nollan Place, Panorama City 91402
(by Regency Theaters Van Nuys Plant 16)  
 
To schedule your life-saving appointment, visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code "BadgeSoCal."