Measure Regarding Prostitution Qualifies for Ballot

The California ballot will certainly be full this November.

In San Francisco, a measure that looks to prevent prostitutes from facing criminal charges will be on the ballot after getting the necessary support recently. The Erotic Service Providers Union came up with enough signatures to make it on the ballot.

The measure would prohibit authorities from spending financial resources to investigate or prosecute prostitutes for taking part in the world's oldest profession.

A first-time offender program that permits men to escape charges for soliciting a prostitute if they attend a class and pay a fine would also cease under the measure.

Mayor Gavin Newsom claims the measure would impede the city's ability to investigate and prosecute sex-trafficking crimes.

San Francisco Mayor Orders Increase in Retrofits

In an order to improve building safety, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom on Monday said he is directing staff to step up its efforts to identify and help retrofit so-called "soft-story" buildings that could fall when the next significant earthquake hits the region.

The move, which Newsome indicated will cost less than $6,000 for most soft-story retrofits, will expedite development of retrofit guidelines for soft-story, wood-frame buildings and the processing and review of permits for seismic retrofit upgrades of these buildings.

"Although there is no such thing as an earthquake-proof building, engineers agree that proper seismic retrofitting can give buildings a fighting chance against a sizeable earthquake," Newsom said in a statement. "We must take the same measures to insure the safety of our homes and workplaces as we do our families and selves."

Under Monday's directive, city staff will: Expedite completion of the soft-story component of the Community Action Plan for Seismic Safety (CAPSS) initiative, including the development of retrofit guidelines for soft-story, wood-frame buildings; Expedite immediately and waive fees for projects that include seismic strengthening and related Planning Department reviews of soft-story buildings; Increase outreach and awareness on the importance of seismic strengthening; Create a soft-story, wood-frame exercise scenario in the October 2008 citywide emergency drill.

The supporting legislation will require City departments that issue building and renovation permits to speed up the review and permitting process for projects where the scope of work includes voluntary seismic retrofit upgrades to soft-story buildings.

The legislation also seeks the waiver of those fees associated with the review and permitting of such work.

WEDNESDAY HEADLINES.....

NEWS

* California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner announced the arrests of three individuals allegedly involved in a five-person conspiracy that resulted in a vehicle owned by one of the conspirators driven to Mexico where it was "chopped" (i.e., taken apart so that its parts can be used or sold separately). On March 25, 2008, Ninfa Patricia Ramos-Ortiz, 44, of Hawaiian Gardens was arrested on three felony insurance fraud charges. On March 26, 2008, Ana Laura Salgado-Antunez (aka Ana Laura Salgado or Ana Laura Antunez), 26, of Santa Ana was arrested on five felony insurance fraud charges. And on March 27, 2008, Ramos-Ortiz's son, Julio Edder Ramos-Alarcon (aka Julio Ramos Alarcon, Julio Edder Ramos, or Julio Edder Alarcon), 25, also of Hawaiian Gardens was arrested on six felony insurance fraud charges. Each felony insurance fraud charge is punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a $50,000 fine.

Arrest warrants for multiple insurance fraud felonies are still outstanding for:

• Diana Maldonado Cruz, 38, of Tijauna, Mexico
  
• Juan Diego Cartagena-Alarcon, 31, of Tijauna, Mexico
  

For more information on this story, visit www.dailyinsurer.blogspot.com.

* In another sign of hard economic times, the City of San Francisco will eliminate 301 governmental jobs in hopes of balancing the budget. Mayor Gavin Newsom made the announcement and noted that the majority of positions being terminated were currently vacant. The biggest cuts will be at Laguna Honda Hospital, where around 200 jobs are being eliminated. The hospital opened its doors in 1866.

* Police report that an Illinois man has been arrested after allegedly stealing more than 300 gallons of kitchen grease from a Morgan Hill Burger King on Tuesday. The man reportedly was observed by two witnesses pumping the inedible grease from an on-site storage tank to his restaurant oils truck. The estimated value of the stolen grease was just over $400.

SPORTS

* In afternoon baseball, the Anaheim Angels scored a 9-1 victory at Minnesota. Vladimir Guerrero went 3-for-4 with three RBIs.

* The Los Angeles Dodgers ran their record to 2-0 Tuesday night with a 3-2 win over rival San Francisco. Down the coast, the San Diego Padres also remained unbeaten with a 2-1 victory over Houston.

* The San Jose Sharks won their 49th game of the season Tuesday night in a 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.

EVENTS

* 7:30 p.m. (Staples Center) Portland Trailblazers at Los Angeles Lakers