Here are some great links regarding earthquake preparedness and safety.

ABC7 Earthquake Preparedness Guide

FEMA: Are you ready?

Be Red Cross Ready

Councilmember Koretz would like to share with you the following pertinent safety tips provided by the LAPD:

Test Your "Street Smarts" IQ: Do you…

-Jog or walk by yourself early in the morning or late at night when the streets are quiet and deserted?
-Stuff your purse with cash, keys, credit cards, checkbook - and then leave it wide open on a counter, your desk, the floor?
-Put your wallet in a jacket, which you then hang up or throw over a chair?
-Let your mind wander - thinking about your job, or all the things you have to do - when walking or driving?
-Think it's a waste of time to lock your car when you'll be back in a few minutes?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you need to change a few habits. Even if you answered "no" and made a perfect score, read on. Spend a few minutes now to prevent trouble later.

Basic Street Sense

-Wherever you are - on the street, in an office building or shopping mall, driving, waiting for a bus or subway - stay alert and tuned in to your surroundings.
-Send the message that you're calm, confident, and know where you're going.
-Trust your instincts. If something or someone makes you uneasy, avoid the person or leave.
-Know the neighborhoods where you live and work. Check out the locations of police and fire stations, public telephones, hospitals, and restaurants, or stores that are open late.

On Foot

-Stick to well-traveled streets. Avoid shortcuts through wooded areas, parking lots, or alleys.
-Don't flash large amounts of cash or other tempting targets like expensive jewelry or clothing.
-Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps.
-Put a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket, not a back pocket.
-Try to use automated teller machines in the daytime. Have your card in hand and don't approach the machine if you're uneasy about people nearby.
-Don't wear shoes or clothing that restrict your movements.
-Have your car or house key in hand before you reach the door.
-If you think someone is following you, switch direction or cross the street. Walk toward an open store, restaurant, or lighted house. If you're scared, yell for help.
-Have to work late? Make sure there are others in the building, and ask someone - a colleague or security guard - to walk you to your car or transit stop.

Learn more about auto theft and carjacking.

-Keep your car in good running condition. Make sure there's enough gas to get where you're going and back.
-Always roll up the windows and lock car doors, even if you're coming right back. Check inside and out before getting in.
-Avoid parking in isolated areas. Be especially alert in lots and underground parking garages.
-If you think someone is following you, don't head home. Drive to the nearest police or fire station, gas station, or other open business to get help.
-Don't pick up hitchhikers. Don't hitchhike.

On Buses and Subways

-Use well-lighted, busy stops.
-Stay alert! Don't doze or daydream.
-If someone harasses you, don't be embarrassed. Loudly say "Leave me alone!" If that doesn't work, hit the emergency device.
-Watch who gets off with you. If you feel uneasy, walk directly to a place where there are other people.

If Someone Tries To Rob You

-Don't resist. Give up your property, don't give up your life.
-Report the crime to the police. Try to describe the attacker accurately. Your actions can help prevent others from becoming victims.

Learn more about things you can do and things kids can do.

-Take a stand

-Make your neighborhood and workplace safer by reporting broken street lights, cleaning up parks and vacant lots, and lobbying local government for better lighting in public places.
-Join a neighborhood, apartment, or office watch to look out for each other and help the police. Or find out how you can organize a neighborhood watch.
-Help out a friend or co-worker who's been a victim of crime.
-Cook a meal, babysit, find the number for victim services or a crisis hotline.
-Listen, sympathize, and don't blame.
-Look at the root causes.
-Work for better drug treatment services, crime and drug abuse prevention education, and job and recreational opportunities for young people in your community.

On Friday, January 27th, Councilmember Paul Koretz had the special opportunity to honor the late Leon Weinstein, a Holocaust survivor and the oldest remaining survivor of the Warsaw Ghetto resistance that fought so heroically against the Nazis. Sadly, he passed away last month, at the age of 101, but Councilmember Koretz and his fellow councilmembers were privileged to be joined by his daughter Natalie Gold to commemorate the life and memory of her father, whose tenacity and courage ensured the survival of his only daughter.

Natalie told her audience the amazing story of her father and his search which took several years, to find his daughter after their separation during the Nazis' siege of Warsaw. Tragically, Sima - Leon's wife and Natalie's mother - was never to be found, and the entire extended family was decimated during the horrors of the Holocaust.

The entire audience in City Hall was transfixed by Natalie's conveying of her father's courage, persistence, and love of family. Council President Herb Wesson said it was perhaps one of the most moving testimonial he had heard during any such Council presentation.

Councilmember Koretz presented Natalie with a certificate of appreciation honoring her and Leon. It reads: “The City of Los Angeles celebrates the life and memory of Leon Weinstein, and proudly honors his family and their shared love… The City of Los Angeles salutes Leon Weinstein and Natalie Gold, for through their steadfast ways andcaring deeds, they have demonstrated that humanity’s conscience is also humanity’s heart, and that saying ‘Never Again’ to genocide is wholly akin to the enduring spirit that forever unites the good.”

Councilmember Koretz and his staff have been very busy, for many months now, doing what it takes to encourage the City to develop an apron parking system that fully protects the access rights of the disabled while addressing the legitimate parking needs of neighborhood residents (some of whom are in fact disabled). Most recently, Councilmember Koretz presented a motion to Council requesting that, in light of the inconsistency of the definition of “parkway” in the Los Angeles Municipal Code, enforcement of apron parking be suspended unless and until the City adopts other laws regulating apron parking. Because of this motion by the Councilmember, and advice from the Office of the City Attorney, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation has released an official statement announcing that it is no longer issuing parking citations under Los Angeles Municipal Code section 80.53 for those vehicles parked fully in a driveway apron.  HOWEVER, if you park your vehicle on the apron and your vehicle encroaches onto the sidewalk or street, this may be grounds for a citation.

We know this does not address all problems throughout the City because of locations where aprons are smaller than the full length of a car, but it does allow relief for some and is a big first step. Councilmember Koretz continues to advocate for more changes to help with all remaining aspects of the apron parking issue.

The Councilmember sends his profound thanks to all who called, emailed, wrote in, protested, showed up, or signed a petition for this issue! The commitment and passion of constituents truly helped show many Councilmembers, the City Attorney's Office and the Department of Transportation that this was an important issue which needed to be addressed quickly.

The City’s Budget and Finance Committee unanimously endorsed Councilmember Koretz’s and City Attorney Carmen Trutanich’s joint proposal to bring Los Angeles into the modern era by creating an administrative code enforcement (ACE) program. The City Attorney’s Office was asked to prepare a final program and ordinance for consideration by the Budget Committee on Monday, October 3, with full Council consideration scheduled for Wednesday, October 5.

The present system simply does not work. Currently, quality of life infractions are dealt with as misdemeanors and take forever to wind their way through our overcrowded judicial system. If and when a court date finally arrives, the judge may just toss the complaint because it takes up precious court time but doesn't rise to the level of a violent criminal offense. So there is no final enforcement, the system is easily gamed, and quality of life goes unprotected. ACE can change all that, by instituting an efficient and practical system for ensuring that your complaints about quality of life transgressions are dealt with conclusively and effectively. Councilmember Koretz is grateful to the many community activists who spoke up in favor of ACE, either at the meeting or through emails, faxes, phone calls, letters and even neighborhood council resolutions.

While there is basic consensus that the City should start ACE with a relatively small pilot program to make certain that any kinks can be identified and corrected early on, many in attendance – including Councilmember Mitch Englander – said that the time is long overdue for a vigorous ACE program and called for expansion as soon as practicable.

The City Council's work isn’t done yet, for it needs to get ACE passed once and for all next week. But the work of the Budget and Finance Committee this past Monday meant that an important milestone was cleared this week. Thanks again to everyone in CD 5 who attended the hearing and/or reached out to the Council. Your presence and support made (and will continue to make) a critical difference.

President Obama is coming back to west Los Angeles. While City agencies and the County Sheriff’s Department are working with security for the White House to minimize traffic disruptions, TRAFFIC MAY BE SEVERLY AFFECTED. PLEASE AVOID THE AREA IF POSSIBLE.

We don’t have a lot of exact traffic information. We understand from news accounts that the President will be at two events on Monday, September 26 -- the House of Blues in late afternoon (with Sunset Boulevard particularly affected around 5:00 pm) and later that evening at the Fig and Olive restaurant near La Cienega and Melrose Place. The President then will travel through Beverly Hills and West LA Tuesday morning, September 27, before heading out from Los Angeles.

We have been informed that La Cienega will be closed entirely from roughly 7:15 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Monday evening, and that streets otherwise will be closed on a rolling basis as necessary to ensure safe travel for the President.

Again, while we do not have precise traffic information, officials have warned that west side traffic in the area may be severely affected. If at all possible, we urge you to avoid the area entirely.

While I very much appreciate the President’s visit, I apologize in advance for the inconvenience it will cause.

Councilmember Paul Koretz and City Attorney Carmen Trutanich have been working together for almost two years to improve enforcement of building and safety, zoning and other City codes. We are all frustrated that violations and citizen complaints frequently go unresolved and often are simply ignored.  Thanks to the work and support of dedicated neighborhood activists from around the City, it is time to answer these concerns by adopting the Administrative Code Enforcement (ACE) program.  See

WHAT: on Sunday, September 11th, Councilmember Paul Koretz (5th City Council District) will be presenting his Office’s First Annual Emergency Preparedness Events – one for Valley constituents, one for Westside constituents: both events, free to the public, are to help inform and empower constituents as to how to prepare oneself and one’s family, including pets, in case of an emergency.

WHEN:  Sunday, September 11, 2011 – the Valley event in the Sherman Oaks Galleria will be from 10:30am-1:30pm; the Westside event at the Westfield Century City Mall will be from 2:00pm-5:00pm.

WHO: Joining Councilmember Koretz and his staff will be the American Red Cross, the Los Angeles Fire Department, the Los Angeles Police Department, CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams), Animal Services, CPAB (Community Police Advisory Boards), local Neighborhood Councils and Chambers of Commerce, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Southern California Gas Co., V5 Watch, and others dedicated to ensuring public safety in the face of emergencies.

WHERE:  The event in the Valley (from 10:30am-1:30pm) will be at the Sherman Oaks Galleria, 15301-15303 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91403, by the fountain.  The Westside event (from 2:00pm-5:00pm) will be at the Westfield Century City Mall, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90067, at center court by the children’s play area.  

WHY: Councilmember Koretz says, “Everyone knows that earthquakes and fires occur in Southern California and can be deadly, and everyone needs to be prepared so that we might all minimize the risk, limit the damage and hopefully escape calamity entirely. Natural disasters, such as the recent horribly costly Hurricane Irene on the East Coast, may not be avoidable but adequate preparation can certainly help keep people safe from harm.  I hope people will join us to learn some great tips and basic steps to enhance public safety and to better protect ourselves and each other. At our events, we’ll be joined by invaluable efforts and crucial groups that do so much good work for the cause of public safety, and I think spending some time on September 11 visiting our events may help local residents enormously, when a future emergency arises.”