A LETTER FROM LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERVISOR HILDA L. SOLIS
Dear Friends,
The use of illegal electronic “skimming” devices to clone EBT cards and deplete customer accounts continues to surge, rendering the most vulnerable of our residents economically devastated without the resources they so greatly rely on to survive.
Skimming theft resulted in $21.1 million in EBT benefits being stolen in 2022, a more than 20-fold increase from 2021 when LA County lost less than $1 million. In 2023, EBT skimming thefts continue to increase exponentially, with over $25 million in benefits stolen as of June 2023 in LA County.
Skimmers attached to card readers at ATMs, card payment terminals, and gas pumps enable criminals to capture data from a card’s magnetic strip to create fake debit, credit, or EBT cards that can be used to make purchases or steal cash benefits. Fortunately, most debit and credit cards are protected from this method of theft since they employ more secure chip/tap technology that does not necessitate swiping the card to make a purchase or withdraw cash. However, LA County’s currently outdated EBT cards do not afford the same protections, as they do not employ this more secure chip/tap technology and require customers to swipe their EBT card every time they want to access their benefits.
The most effective known way to mitigate skimming lies in updating EBT cards to utilize the far more secure chip/tap technology. And, while the State of California (State) has recognized the importance of upgrades by allocating over $76 million over the next three years to pursue technology enhancements and security features for EBT cards to safeguard customers’ benefits until these chip/tap-enabled EBT cards are deployed, skimming will continue to harm our most vulnerable residents.
To that end, businesses that accept EBT card payments should play a proactive role in curbing EBT skimming by facilitating efforts to further increase awareness of EBT skimming amongst customers and by routinely inspecting their card payment terminals to better identify, report, and remedy compromised machines. Requiring businesses to complete a regular and quick inspection of their card payment terminals would impose only a slight additional responsibility on businesses but could significantly reduce the amount of skimming that is taking place and increase customer confidence in using their EBT cards at those businesses.
Until the more secure chip/tap cards are rolled out by the State, residents require these further protections. I’m proud to author a motion that will do just that because these measures will assist in the necessary fight against EBT card skimming, by both protecting the County’s most vulnerable residents and preventing millions of taxpayer dollars from landing in the hands of the criminals who are targeting them.
Sincerely,
Hilda L. Solis
Supervisor, First District
 Thank you all who joined me for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Aquatic Center in the San Gabriel Valley!
Once completed, the Aquatic Center, located in unincorporated Puente Valley, will include a pool building, a large competitive swimming pool, a smaller practice pool, bleachers, a new one-acre park area, a central plaza, a parking lot, and other site improvements. The approximately $35 million-dollar project is expected to be completed by the end of next year!
I remain steadfast in ensuring that resources are made available to our most vulnerable. To that end, I was so proud to present a $37,000 to the East San Gabriel Valley Coalition for the Homeless (ESGVCH) alongside several elected officials and service partners supportive of our efforts to end homelessness by creating permanent-supportive and affordable housing. These funds will be utilized to offer hotel vouchers to families and ensure that people experiencing homelessness in the San Gabriel Valley can access shelter and start on a path toward stability.
 This week, I had the pleasure of hosting the 2023 Libros Schmibros Summer Fellows at the Hall of Administration where the participants learned about the role of LA County government in Angelenos' lives and heard about my journey — from growing up in La Puente to sitting on the Board of Supervisors. Over 4 weeks, the Libros Schmibros Summer Fellowship offers participating students from Boyle Heights an immersive introduction to the history, built and natural environments, and civic and artistic life of Los Angeles. I remain committed to engage local youth, our future leaders, to get involved in advocacy, governance, and policymaking.
 LA County's Department of Arts and Culture and Homeless Initiative are hosting a Creative Strategist residency to develop strategies that dispel myths and shift the narrative about people experiencing homelessness. This Creative Strategist residency may include, but is not limited to, the use of trauma-informed visual storytelling techniques, such as graphic recording, infographics, illustrations, video, photography, and other visual media, to illustrate and promote a deeper understanding of the complicated nature of solving the homelessness crisis. The deadline for submissions is this coming Monday, July 24.
 After hosting listening sessions with diners and restaurants, LA County's Outdoor Dining Program still needs a key ingredient — YOU! The 30-day comment period is now open for Public Works' draft ordinance change, allowing the expansion of restaurant service in our unincorporated communities to public sidewalks, parking spaces, and alleys. Learn more about the draft ordinance here, and I hope you share your thoughts to improve it. Please provide feedback and help us imagine more space to enjoy our fantastic weather, savor delicious meals, and create lasting memories with your loved ones!
 Are you planning to become a US citizen? The LA County Library offers Citizenship in a Bag, a toolkit with resources for customers seeking to obtain US Citizenship. This toolkit in a bag contains a variety of educational materials for the naturalization exam, including flash cards, multimedia tools, and a FREE citizenship folder with valuable resources that customers can keep.
 The Los Angeles County Departments of Parks and Recreation and Aging and Disabilities are hosting a meeting to obtain community input on senior programs and services focus groups at San Angelo Park. Come and enjoy light refreshments, get to know County staff, engage with your neighbors, and share your ideas on activities, programs, services and future park improvements you would like to see for available for older adults in the Avocado Heights. Please RSVP to Carisa Gomez at cgomez@parks.lacounty.gov.
Date: Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Time: 6 pm - 7:30 pm
Location: San Angelo Park, 245 S. San Angelo Ave. La Puente, CA 91746
 Southern California is currently experiencing another heat wave but you don't have to stay inside to avoid this extreme weather. You can visit one of our 23 splash pads across the County. Splash Pads are family friendly and accessible way to cool off and beat the heat. Don't forget to use sunscreen and reapply every two hours!
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