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Sunday World
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Sunday World
California mayor calls for free fentanyl to be given to 'purge' homeless population
'Quite frankly, I wish the president would give us a purge. Because we do need to purge these people' A Southern California mayor has called for a "purge" of homeless people by "giving them all the fentanyl they want'. Mayor R Rex Parris caused controversy during a council meeting when he suggested that one approach to tackling the homelessness problem in Lancaster would be by giving people the lethal drug. Parris, described as a 'larger-than-life trial lawyer' by The Los Angeles Times, made the comments during a city council meeting on February 25 when a resident questioned him about the city's plan to "enclose" the homeless population in an encampment on an abandoned golf course. "What I want to do is give them free fentanyl. That's what I want to do," Parris retorted. "I want to give them all the fentanyl they want.' However, it wasn't until Parris, who has been mayor of Lancaster, a city in northern Los Angeles County, with a population of about 175,000 since 2008, doubled down on his remarks during an interview with Fox LA that his statements went viral. Parris said that while he did not expect his comments to be taken "literally," he told the outlet that fentanyl is "so easy" to obtain on the streets that it would not make a difference if the city offered the opioid to homeless people for free. The mayor sought to credit Lancaster for providing more "innovative" solutions to the homeless crisis than other US cities and floated the idea of a federal "purge" to cut down on the homeless population. Stock image 'I made it very clear I was talking about the criminal element that were let out of the prisons that have now become 40 to 45% of what's referred to as the homeless population,' he said. 'They are responsible for most of our robberies, most of our rapes, and at least half of our murders,' he claimed. He added: 'Quite frankly, I wish the president would give us a purge. Because we do need to purge these people. 'Now, is it harsh? Of course it is harsh. But it is my obligation as the mayor of the city of Lancaster to protect the hardworking families that live here, and I am no longer able to do it. It's an untenable situation. I want these people out of our city.' His remarks have been greeted with anger by political opponents with one, Johnathon Ervin, a Democrat who lost to Parris in last year's mayoral election, saying: 'Anyone willing to give homeless people all the fentanyl they want, or to suggest that President Trump should allow a purge of the homeless population, has no business in public office.' According to figures from the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, reported in the Antelope Valley Press, there were 6,672 people experiencing homelessness in 2024, 1,989 more than in 2023. That includes the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale, as well as surrounding areas. The LA Times reports that residents have become accustomed to the mayor's sometimes 'grand' proposals. He previously raised eyebrows when he talked about opening a trade office in Beijing and building a Buddhist temple in his desert town in a bid to woo Chines business. He also proposed make neckties optional among workers in the city, based on studies that they diminish blood flow to the brain. Mayor R Rex Parris caused controversy regarding the homeless in his city The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California released a report in 2021, alleging the widespread abuse of homeless people in Lancaster. The ACLU claimed the city had created a 'dragnet of criminalization' in which deputies and city code enforcement officers 'regularly bulldoze encampments of unhoused people and order them to move by threat of citation.' However, Parris said at that time that he was 'trying to create an environment where people who are disabled can thrive' and that he was 'not going to just let people live wherever they want, camp where they want, extort money from people who are shopping.' The mayor who has faced past scrutiny over his controversial moves, including his decision to extend mayoral terms from two years to four, is now facing a recall effort following his comments at the city council meeting, "For too long, Mayor R Rex Parris has prioritized personal gain over the well-being of residents. His administration has been marked by mismanagement, controversial policies, and a disregard for transparency," a recall petition reads. "Lancaster deserves leadership that listens, serves, and uplifts the community – not one that divides and exploits it," it adds.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Yahoo
Fraudsters are using a $20 ‘distraction' scam to steal thousands of dollars from victims
It's not every day a stranger insists on handing you a $20 bill you didn't drop. But for Sarah — whose last name has been withheld, as reported by Fox LA — that's exactly what happened on an ordinary Wednesday afternoon at a Ralphs grocery store in Van Nuys. "He came much closer to me and was kind of pushing the $20 into my wallet," Sarah recalled. "I said, 'No, I don't think I did.'" I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how At first, it could have been a strange but harmless mix-up. That is, until Sarah noticed the man was suddenly joined by a woman — both of them following her to her car, pressing the cash on her with unsettling persistence. What felt like an awkward moment quickly turned into a coordinated scam. When Sarah checked her wallet, her cash was intact, but her debit card was gone. Within 30 minutes, the thieves had made multiple withdrawals from Sarah and her daughter, Jennifer's bank account from a Chase branch. Unfortunately, Sarah and Jennifer aren't alone. Distraction scams have been popping up across the country. Here's how to spot the red flags. Distraction scams don't come with flashing red lights, they come with kindness and confusion. These types of scams are built on flustering you just enough to make you vulnerable. This involves a stranger creating a diversion — like insisting you dropped a $20 bill — while an accomplice steals something like your wallet or debit card. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from the year before. While that includes a mix of schemes, distraction scams are rising, especially in places we least expect it like grocery store lines. "It's a huge violation," Sarah said. "I feel like I'm looking over my shoulder everywhere I go. It's just horrible." Jennifer, Sarah's daughter, filed a police report and shared the story online — and the responses came flooding in. Dozens of people chimed in with eerily similar experiences, revealing just how widespread the scam really is. Read more: The US stock market's 'fear gauge' has exploded — but this 1 'shockproof' asset is up 14% and helping American retirees stay calm. Here's how to own it ASAP For Jennifer, a teacher with a limited income, falling victim to a scam wasn't just an inconvenience, it had immediate financial consequences. "My money is gone, and I had just gotten paid," she told Fox LA. As living expenses continue to rise, incidents like this can disrupt far more than a day's routine. And yet, that's why scams like these are so effective, often appearing as benign interactions. 'You need to understand the hallmarks of most scams: They contact you first, dangle some sort of bait in front of you and create a sense of urgency,' Jason Zirkle, training director at the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, told Nerd Wallet. Remaining aware of your surroundings is key. Trusting your instincts, keeping personal belongings securely fastened and not hesitating to report suspicious behavior — whether to a store manager or law enforcement — can serve as your first line of defense. And if you do find yourself in Sarah and Jennifer's position, it's important to take action. The first step is to contact your bank or card issuer immediately to freeze the account to prevent further transactions. Most banks offer 24/7 fraud hotlines and mobile app features to lock your card with just a tap. Next, file a fraud report with your financial institution so they can begin investigating the unauthorized charges. This also increases your chances of recovering any lost funds. Be sure to file a police report as well, which not only helps authorities track patterns of criminal activity but may also be required by your bank for reimbursement. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
