Los Angeles, Ca
Southern California women being vigilant following recent random attacks
In light of recent assaults in Southern California, women across the Southland are learning how to better protect themselves against random acts of violence.
There have been several high-profile attacks on women in the past weeks, including the vicious assaults of two females who were walking near the Venice Canals.
The acts of violence have prompted several SoCal women to take up self-defense lessons and remain vigilant when they’re in public.
One woman, identified only as Melissa, was attacked by a stranger who lives in her own neighborhood in October of last year. She says the incident motivated her to learn how to protect herself.
“She kicked my dog in the face, and then she started hitting me with open fists,” Melissa said to KTLA 5’s Jennifer McGraw. “Completely caught me off guard. I have to be concerned about my own safety.”
Dave Kerr teaches self-defense classes at his gym, FitSport Kinetics in Pasadena. He preaches to his students to always remain vigilant when walking alone, and learn the basics of how to react if they’re ever the victim of a random attack.
“You don’t want to be buried in your phone if you have earbuds and you can’t hear anything,” Kerr said. “So, one of the things we teach is simple practice of being aware of your surroundings.”
Jen Lester, who also goes by Stun Gun Jen, learned self-defense after hearing from a close friend that she had been raped twice in the previous four years. Lester worked for 12 years as a 911 dispatcher and wanted to use her experience to help teach women how to protect themselves.
“It’s incredibly alarming, it’s something we are seeing in our headlines constantly,” Lester said. “We’re seeing it just in social media posts all the time, there definitely seems to be an escalation.”
Lester adds you should have four essential items with you at all times to help you keep yourself as safe as possible in case you’re assaulted.
“I have my alarm with the GPS tracking, I have a stun device, I have a striking device for close contact strikes, and I have my pepper spray,” Lester said.
The self-defense expert says a lack of consequences for assailants is another reason why the public needs to learn how to protect itself.
“If we are the consequence, because we can’t get the consequences through our justice system, I believe that we see a little bit of decline,” Lester said. “But we have to start to learn to be the consequence ourself.”
Los Angeles, Ca
Here's how to help those impacted by the wildfires across Southern California
As devasting wildfires continue to burn Southern California, residents and organizations are stepping up to provide aid to those affected.
Here’s how you can support wildfire victims on their path to recovery.
- KTLA 5 parent company, Nexstar Media Group, has partnered with the American Red Cross to launch a donation page for Southern California wildfire victims. Donations can be placed here.
- Baby2Baby is accepting donations to support children impacted by the wildfires.
- GoFundMe has compiled a list of verified fundraisers for people impacted by the ongoing wildfires.
- SPCALA’s Disaster Animal Response Team is seeking donations to support emergency services, such as temporary animal shelters and front-line veterinary care.
- The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation is accepting donations to support firefighters on the front lines. The foundation is seeking monetary donations, wildland brush tools, hydration backpacks, and emergency fire shelters.
- The California Fire Foundation is looking for donations to support surviving families of fallen firefighters, firefighters, and the communities they serve.
- The Salvation Army is accepting monetary donations and items to support those affected by the wildfires.
- World Central Kitchen, spearheaded by Chef José Andrés, has a relief team in Southern California to assist first responders and families. The organization is accepting donations to support the ongoing relief effort.
- The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is accepting donations and looking for volunteers.
- Direct Relief is also accepting donations to support those impacted by the wildfires.
- Community Organized Relief Effort, or CORE, is accepting donations to support wildfire victims.
Los Angeles, Ca
Eaton Fire victim dies holding a hose, defending home
One of the five confirmed fatalities from the destructive Eaton Fire was identified on Wednesday morning when his family found his body on the side of the road by their home – with a garden hose still in his hand.
According to his loved ones, 66-year-old Victor Shaw died trying to defend the home that had been in his family for nearly 55 years.
As of Wednesday night, Victor’s body was still on his family’s property in the 3000 block of Monterose Avenue as conditions were not yet safe enough for the coroner’s office to retrieve him.
Victor lived in that home with his younger sister, Shari Shaw, who said that she tried to get him to evacuate with her on Tuesday night as the fire moved toward them.
Those close to Victor said he had some health problems that prevented him from moving around very well.
As she was running out the door, Shari said Victor told her he wanted to stay behind and try to fight the fire.
“When I went back in and yelled out his name, he didn’t reply back, and I had to get out because the embers were so big and flying like a firestorm – I had to save myself,” Shari told KTLA’s Rick Chambers. “And I looked behind me, and the house was starting to go up in flames, and I had to leave.”
A family friend, Al Tanner, told KTLA that the next morning, they found Victor’s charred body on the side of the road with the hose.
“It looks like he was trying to save the home that his parents had for almost 55 years,” said Tanner.
“I fell to the ground, and I didn’t know – I didn’t want to look at him,” said Shari. “They just told me that he was lying on the ground and that he looked serene, as if he was at peace.”
As of early morning Thursday, the cause of the 10,600-acre Eaton Fire remained under investigation.
The Eaton Fire was one of four large, active wildfires in the Los Angeles area. The largest, the 17,234-acre Palisades Fire, destroyed an estimated 1,000 structures. A separate 855-acre fire, the Hurst Fire, burned in the L.A. neighborhood of Sylmar. A fast-moving fire in the Antelope Valley called the Lidia Fire has burned at least 348 acres and forced evacuations. Crews have made progress on the 43-acre Sunset Fire which forced rapid evacuations in the Hollywood Hills.
Los Angeles, Ca
Help needed as injured animals arrive at Pasadena Humane Society due to wildfire
As the deadly Eaton Fire continues burning in Los Angeles County, Pasadena Humane is seeking help as a large number of animals are being evacuated.
Over 100 animals arrived at the organization on Wednesday, and workers expected more drop-offs to come in over the next few days.
“Due to the proximity of the evacuation zones, we are also making preparations to evacuate the shelter, if needed,” workers said. “At this time, all animals are safe and unharmed at the shelter.”
Many of the animals arriving at the shelter were found with burn injuries.
Shelter workers said critical supplies are needed due to the influx of animals including food, water bowls, extra large crates and blankets. Anyone able to donate these items can drop them off at the donation bin located at the shelter’s front parking lot.
On Wednesday, workers said kennel space was filling up quickly and evacuees who need emergency boarding for their pets can drop them off at spcaLA at 5026 W. Jefferson Blvd. in Los Angeles. Large animals should be taken to the L.A. Equestrian Center at 480 Riverside Dr. in Burbank.
Pasadena Humane Animal Control Officers will continue working in the field, assisting with animal evacuations, while Pasadena Humane staff are working round-the-clock at the shelter to care for the animals of displaced families.
“We are currently coordinating with Cal Animals and ASPCA disaster response to mobilize more resources to assist with the situation,” staff said. “We anticipate getting in even more animals who are in need of emergency medical care as the fires continue.”
As shelter space is limited, anyone who can foster a dog or cat for at least a week is urged to email the Pasadena Humane Foster Office or visit in person.
Donations to provide emergency resources to animals affected by the wildfires can be made here. Anyone who finds injured wildlife can text 626-344-1129 or call Animal Control at 626-792-7151 ext. 970.
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