Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, December 10, 2016

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2016

SECTION B

AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

REP. SCHIFF ANNOUNCES BILL HEADED TO 
PRESIDENT’S DESK FOR SIGNATURE TO PROVIDE 
PROTECTIONS FOR CALIFORNIA NATIONAL 
GUARD BONUSES


Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-
CA), the Ranking Member of the House Permanent 
Select Committee on Intelligence, released the 
following statement:

 “With today’s passage in the Senate, the 
legislation to ensure that those National Guard 
soldiers who were required to pay back bonuses 
and benefits they received in good faith are not the 
subject of clawbacks both now or in the future is 
headed to the President’s desk for his signature. This 
provision, which mirrors legislation I introduced, 
will hopefully provide peace of mind for our 
service members and their families during this 
holiday season. We in Congress will be monitoring 
the implementation of this legislation closely, and 
if further action is warranted, we will be ready to 
act – and quickly.”

 This provision passed today and on its way 
to the President’s desk mirrors legislation that 
the members of Congress introduced earlier in 
this month to require the Pentagon to suspend 
all collection efforts and establish a streamlined 
process to provide financial relief for affected 
service members. According to the Pentagon, 
almost 10,000 members of the Army National 
Guard may have received improper benefits from 
2004 to 2010.

 The language in the NDAA prevents the Army 
from recouping those funds from any service 
members who unknowingly received them during 
that time period. It also requires the Army to 
reimburse any soldier who has already repaid the 
government, and to notify credit agencies that any 
debt previously reported was invalid.

The bill would not cover National Guard members 
who engaged in fraud or misrepresentation.

LASD HEIGHTENED STATE OF AWARENESS ON 
TRANSIT SYSTEM - IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY 
SOMETHING *UPDATE* METRO RED LINE THREAT

FBI Los Angeles, in partnership with the Los 
Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and other 
local law enforcement, has released the following 
updated information:

 “Working with our law enforcement partners, 
the FBI has found no evidence that the threat made 
to the Los Angeles Metro Red Line is credible. 
Based on significant similarities, law enforcement 
partners also believe the anonymous caller may 
have, on a previous occasion, reported threats 
that did not materialize. The Joint Terrorism 
Task Force (JTTF) will continue to investigate 
to determine the identity of the caller and will 
continue to evaluate information developed from 
investigative efforts.

 Any individual who knowingly provides false 
threat information to law enforcement, which can 
often result in a tactical response and the costly 
deployment of government resources, is subject 
to prosecution.

 The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department 
and Los Angeles Police Department remain on 
a heightened state of awareness with increased 
directed patrol deployments where deemed 
necessary. Both agencies report that they have 
not experienced any significant problems or 
disruptions on the Los Angeles transit systems.

We continue to urge the public to remain 
vigilant and to report activity they consider to 
be suspicious to the FBI, or by dialing 911. In 
addition, the Los Angeles Police Department can 
be reached toll free at 1-800-A-THREAT (1-800-
284-7328) or via the iWatch app at iWatchLA.org.

 LA Crime Stoppers is another available 
option. Partner to prevent or report crime 
by contacting your local Los Angeles County 
Sheriff’s Department station or if you wish to 
remain Anonymous, call LA Crime Stoppers 
by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), use your 
smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” 
mobile app for FREE or “P3 Mobile” for the 
hearing impaired, or by using the website http://
lacrimestoppers.org.

 Deirdre Fike, the FBI’s Assistant Director in 
Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office said, 
“The FBI recognizes the value of our partnerships 
with the Los Angeles Police Department and the 
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, both 
of whom responded swiftly and professionally 
in this matter, and for their continued efforts in 
keeping the city and county of Los Angeles safe. 
The FBI also recognizes our foreign partners 
for their diligence and support of the American 
people. Finally, we appreciate the continued 
vigilance by the public, and their patience, as we 
work through these complex situations.”


NAPOLITANO WELCOMES NEW LA COUNTY 
SUPERVISORS KATHRYN BARGER & JANICE HAHN

(Washington, DC) Yesterday, Rep. Grace F. 
Napolitano (D-El Monte) attended the swearing-in 
ceremonies for newly elected Los Angeles County 
Supervisors, Kathryn Barger (5th District) and 
Janice Hahn (4th District), releasing the following 
congratulatory statement:

 “The County is very fortunate to have such a 
high caliber person as Kathryn Barger to represent 
it on the Board of Supervisors. She has been a good 
partner as Chief of Staff to her predecessor, former 
Supervisor Mike Antonovich, on issues that affect 
the 32nd Congressional District, and I look forward 
to working with her on many other issues that are 
essential to delivering services to the residents of the 
Fifth District of LA County.

 “I also congratulate my good friend Janice Hahn 
on a well-deserved position. She has been and will 
continue to be a great champion for residents of the 
southern and coastal areas of our county. 

 “It is a new day for the County with four female 
supervisors, a sharp contrast to a few decades ago 
when there was not even one woman. We are glad 
they hope to be a cohesive board, and we look forward 
to working together to lead LA County forward.”


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