what is assembly bill 1498 san bernardino bail bonds

Shaming Parents Behind on Child Support Payments

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what is assembly bill 1498 san bernardino bail bonds

Getting a divorce can be a pretty ugly mess, especially when children are involved. Custody battles can be terrible, and can cause rifts between both parents that last a lifetime. However, those differences should be put aside for the sake of the children, no matter which parent they end up with. After all, by having kids in the first place, both parents signed on to the job of taking care of and raising them.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen after a divorce. Even though a parent may have lost custody of their children, they still usually have to pay some form of child support because children are expensive. If a parent doesn’t pay that money, the other parent will struggle to provide their children with what they need. This isn’t fair to the kids, which is why some California lawmakers are looking into ways to ensure that parents always pay their child support.

Assembly Bill 1498

In an effort to ensure that kids always get the support they need from their parents, some lawmakers here in California have authored a new bill. Under this new bill, some parents who are behind on their child support payments might get some extra encouragement to start making those payments.

Assembly Bill (AB) 1498 was authored by California Assemblyman Tom Lackey and introduced to the State Assembly earlier this year. The bill proposes creating a new website that would publicly display important information about parents who are behind on their child support using a similar method that a few other states have adopted. Some of the information that would be on display includes:

  • Name
  • Photo
  • Amount of child support owed
  • Zip code
  • Number of children

The idea is that by displaying this information in a public way, the parent will be peer pressured into making up those missed child support payments. It is important to note that not every parent who is behind on child support payments will be listed on the site.

For starters, the ex-spouse of the parent would have to okay the act of putting the other parent on the site, since it could draw unwanted attention towards the children. On top of that, only parents who owe more than $5,000, have been delinquent for a minimum of 12 months, and have not made a payment in 6 months. The parent cannot be going through any financial trouble, such as bankruptcy, or be locked up in jail or prison to be eligible to be placed on the site.

This proposed bill, of course, has supporters and opponents. There are those who that this sort of shaming is deserved if a parent isn’t doing their part in taking care of their child. However, there are those who argue that this is taking things too far.

The Consequences as They Are Now

Currently, when a parent is behind on their child support payments, there are some pretty big consequences. After all, this money is meant to help raise a child, and as such, falling behind on the payments is a very bad thing. Aside from the basic penalty of acquiring interest on the late payments, there are harsher consequences as well. Some of the consequences for falling behind on child support include:

  • Revoking the parent’s driver’s license.
  • Intercepting the parent’s wages and transferring them directly to the custodial parent.
  • Intercepting the parent’s tax returns or unemployment.
  • Placing a lien on the parent’s property.
  • Deny passport, or other government, applications.

In cases where the parent has the money for the child support, but refuses to pay it, that parent could face legal trouble and jail time.

Child Support Is a Very Big Deal

Paying child support is a very big deal. In theory, it is money that would have been there had the parents not become separated in the first place. That money is meant to ensure that the child is provided with everything he or she needs growing up. That is why it is such a big deal when a parent falls behind on child support payments, and why lawmakers here in California are looking for more ways to ensure that parents keep up with parents.

Lawmakers like Assemblyman Lackey hope that by publicly shaming parents who are behind on their child support payments, the parent will be more likely to avoid falling behind, or work harder at making up those payments. The idea is to use peer pressure in a good way.

What do you think of this proposed bill? Is it a good thing, or are lawmakers taking things too far? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.

california smoking defined san bernardino bail bonds

Los Angeles County Redefines Smoking

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california smoking defined san bernardino bail bonds

In 2016, Californians voted to legalize the recreational usage of marijuana in the state. Since then California residents have been able to use marijuana however they want, within reason. However, this has caused some issues in certain areas as people smoke marijuana where other people would prefer they didn’t.

On top of the rise of marijuana usage, electronic cigarette usage has also increased. It is no longer uncommon to walk down a street and see, or smell, someone vaping in public. As with regular smoking and marijuana, some people have a problem being around this as well.

Due to this, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has recently expanded its definition of smoking. This new definition changes where people can smoke marijuana or electronic cigarettes within LA County.

The New Definition in Los Angeles County

On Tuesday, March 26th, the Board of Supervisors in Los Angeles County decided to redefine its legal definition of smoke and smoking. This new definition now includes smoke from marijuana and electronic cigarettes.

What this means is that the smoking of marijuana, or e-cigs is now banned wherever smoking is banned in LA County. This includes county parks, government buildings, bus stops, outdoor bars, county-owned golf courses, beaches, and beach parking lots. Some of the beaches where smoking e-cigs and marijuana is now banned include:

  • Nicholas Canyon
  • Zuma
  • Point Dume
  • Dan Blocker
  • Malibu
  • Las Tunas
  • Topanga
  • Will Rogers
  • Venice
  • Marina
  • Dockweiler
  • Manhattan
  • Hermosa
  • Redondo
  • Torrance
  • White Point

This has all been done in an effort to remove a loophole and help keep the air clean in smoke-free zones. Now non-smokers will not have to worry about second hand smoke from e-cigs and marijuana.

This change simply reflects state laws surrounding marijuana usage that were already in effect. The same law that legalized marijuana in the state also outlined when and where it can be used. One of the stipulations is that marijuana cannot be smoked or used on or around government buildings or property. This new definition of smoking just further enforces this law within LA County, reminding people that smoking marijuana in public places where smoking is banned is illegal.

Smokers Need to Choose Where They Light up Carefully

The city of Los Angeles looks to further look into the matters of smoking marijuana and e-cigs, especially in regards to minors. They plan on looking at how other cities are handling these issues, and learn from those cities. One such example could be San Francisco, which is really tightening down on e-cigs, even looking to go as far as banning the production of electronic cigarette products within the city.

So, while this new ban may seem strict, some of it was technically already in place due to the passing of Prop 64, at least as far as marijuana usage was concerned. However, for people who use vaping products, this could make things more difficult for them.

What do you think of Los Angeles County’s new definition of smoking? Should other counties and cities follow suit, or is this taking things too far? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.

facial recognition san bernadino bail bonds

Could Banning Facial Recognition Become the New Norm?

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facial recognition ban

Today’s modern world has a lot of technology that a one point had simply been considered science fiction. Things such as earbuds, video calls, and mobile phones were just cool, out of this world ideas when they were first depicted in books and movies. Nowadays, they are a part of everyday life for most individuals. While many of these things are welcomed with open arms, some technologies are a bit invasive.

One such example of invasive tech would be facial recognition. With cameras everywhere, law enforcement agencies are able to use this kind of technology to locate people of interest in cases and bring them into justice. However, these electronic eyes are always watching, and this causes some concern amongst some people. That is why one US city is considering banning the use of this technology, or at the very least, limiting its uses.

San Francisco May Be the First to Ban Facial Recognition

The city of San Francisco is no stranger when it comes to creating new laws in uncharted territory. The city has been doing this for years now, and is currently considering a ban on facial recognition technology due to its invasive nature. The current proposed law would prohibit the San Francisco police from using the software, but not affect businesses or people from using the software. It also would not prevent the software from being used at San Francisco International Airport or the Port of San Francisco.

While Facial recognition technology is an incredibly helpful tool, especially for law enforcement agencies, it is also very invasive. Essentially, any camera out there in the world can be used to locate a single person. This is very helpful for manhunts, but can be dangerous if used by people with less than honest intentions. According to the New York Times, there is a fifty percent chance that a person’s face is already in a law enforcement’s database by the time they reach adulthood.

Another problem comes from a recent study published by MIT Media Lab. The study found that the facial recognition software tended to make mistakes with identifying a person’s gender if they were female or had darker skin.

It is the possible invasion of privacy and large room for error that gives some people cause for concern. However, while some people are against the technology, they do recognize its practical uses. This leads to some people supporting some sort of limitations on the technology, instead of an outright ban. This way, it can be used as needed, or allowed to come back once the tech has a better success rate.

What This Could Mean for the Rest of the Country

Other cities and states, such as nearby Oakland and even Massachusetts, have also considered placing bans on facial recognition technology. It is safe to assume that they, along with other locations, will be paying close attention to San Francisco. Depending on how things go there, they may copy the ban or make alterations to better suite their needs or beliefs.

There is no denying that facial recognition software has many benefits, especially in the law enforcement field. The technology can help officers locate wanted criminals, or track down missing children. This is a very powerful tool. However, its strength comes at the cost of privacy. This technology looks at everyone, whether they want it to or not, and once they are in the facial recognition database, they likely aren’t getting out of it, if they ever even realize that they are there. That is what scares some people, and causes them to look for some sort of restrictions on the technology.

What do you think of facial recognition software? Is it a helpful tool for police officers, or is it too invasive to a person’s privacy? Is San Francisco right in the idea that the tech should be outright banned, or should they do something a little less permanent? Should other cities and states follow suite? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.

public pool health issues san bernardino bail bonds

People Do What Before Getting Into Public Pools?

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public pool health issues

With the weather quickly heating up, many people are starting to pull their swimsuits out from their winter hiding spots. With California’s thousands of miles of coastline, there are plenty of places to go to the beach. However, the beach isn’t for everyone. Some people prefer to cool off without having to worry about sand getting everywhere. That is why some people prefer going to a pool.

In addition to the lack of sand at pools, they are often cleaner as well. The water is maintained by humans, instead of being left alone. However, despite the chemicals, mostly chlorine, put into pool water to keep it clean, one recent survey found that pools aren’t always as clean as one would hope.

Public Pools May Not be as Clean as You Think

The clear blue water of pools often looks a heck of a lot cleaner than ocean, lake, or river water. Those waters typically have all kinds of debris floating beneath the surface, making them hazy. Pools lack this haze due to the chemicals put into them to kill bacteria, and the filtration systems in them to pick out the bigger particles like bugs and leaves.

However, despite all of that, pools can still contain bits of harmful bacteria, bacteria that is typically brought in by swimmers. A recent survey conducted by Water Quality and Health Council found that 51% of Americans used pools as a way to rinse off after performing sweat inducing activities.

The survey, which polled 3,100 American adults and had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.7%, also found the following information:

  • 24% of people would go within a pool within an hour of having diarrhea.
  • 40% of adults peed in pools.
  • 48% admitted to not showering before entering a pool.
  • 53% didn’t know makeup affected the chemistry of the pool.
  • 55% didn’t know deodorant affected the chemistry of the pool.
  • 64% acknowledge the fact that pools don’t eliminate the need to shower, but use pools as a reason not to shower anyways.

While chlorine does help keep pools cleaner, it isn’t an infinite source of cleanliness. Think of the chlorine in a pool like a bar of soap. Every time it is used to clean something, it becomes smaller and less effective until it is all used up. However, chlorine is not a replacement for soap.

Chlorine keeps pools clean by causing chemical reactions in the water that kill microorganisms and bacteria. By adding other chemicals to the mix, bodily fluids, makeup, and deodorant, a person reduces the strength of the chlorine in the water, thereby reducing its effectiveness.

Help Keep Public Pools Clean

Some of the findings in this survey are more than a bit disgusting. Hopefully, they will serve as a reminder to everyone that there are times when they shouldn’t go swimming, and more than that, they should shower before getting into a pool. Doing so can help keep the water cleaner, longer.

Pools are a great way to beat the summer heat, and most are likely maintained on a regular basis. So long as a pool’s owner keeps up with the maintenance of the pool, its filter system, and the chemical makeup, there is no reason to not go swimming in it. All public pools in California are required by law to be kept at safe and sanitary levels at all times. If a person suspects that this isn’t being done at a local public pool, they can report the problem to their local health officials.

As things begin to heat up this summer, be sure to help keep pools clean by not using them as bath time, and showering before getting into the water. This will help keep the pool water clean for everyone.

social media safety tips

Sharing Your Summer Plans Online Can Be a Bad Idea

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social media safety tips

As the weather begins to warm up and chase away the cold winds of winter, people begin to emerge from their hiding places of warmth and safety. Spring allows people to venture outside once again and enjoy some fresh air. The season signals the end of winter and heralds in the warmer months of summer.

With the inevitable approach of summer inching closer, people begin to make their plans for the season, namely their vacations. Everyone needs to take a break from their day to day lives from time to time, and a vacation allows this. It is a chance to break away from the normal and have an adventure, or just a chance to relax. No matter what a person chooses to do on their vacation, they know they will have fun.

As with anything that is exciting in a person’s life, there is an intense desire to share the experience with loved ones. While this used to mean having them come along on the trip, nowadays, it can simply mean posting about the vacation on social media. However, doing so can actually cause problems for the person in question.

Talking about Trips Online Can Be an Invitation for Thieves

With all of the social media sites and apps out there, it can be hard for a person not to share their life with others. It has practically become second nature to share with others online. This can be a bit problematic when it comes to vacations. Anyone going on a vacation wants to post about it, however, they may be sharing this information with the wrong people.

Social media sites are great because they allow us to share with the world. Unfortunately, this means that world has access to information about us as well. While, for the most part, only loved one look at one another’s social media, thieves have learned to use these sites to their advantage. For instance, posting the dates of an upcoming trip tells a would-be thieve exactly when the house is going to be empty.

It is very important for people to realize that they can overshare information. As a general rule of thumb, most people are aware that they should never share personal information, such as a home address or social security number, online. However, it is also a good idea to not post about upcoming or current trips as doing so could be an open invitation for thieves. It is a good idea for people to not share the specific dates of their vacation online. They also shouldn’t share vacation photos until after they have returned home since doing so during the trip is just another sign that the person isn’t home.

Having social media accounts set so that only approved people can see what is posted is a good idea, but not always foolproof. Sometimes friends, who may or may not have strict privacy settings, can share information with their friends. This could make it so that thieves still learn when a person isn’t home.

Don’t Overshare about Your Vacation

Everyone needs a little vacation from time to time. However, no one wants to come home from their relaxing trip to find that their home has been robbed. That would completely erase the relaxation felt from the trip and cause an untold amount of stress. In order to avoid that unnecessary stress, a person should be careful about what they post online about their vacations and other planned trips. They do not want to advertise to the world that their home will be empty for the next few days. Thieves see that as an open invitation to let themselves inside.

Since talking about any upcoming summer trips online is a bit of a bad idea, why not share some of your favorite vacations? What is your favorite summer trip that you think others would enjoy? Let us know in the comments down below.

consequences for serving alcohol to minors

Parents, Don’t Serve Alcohol at Graduation Parties

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consequences for serving alcohol to minors

As summer draws nearer, students of all ages grow more and more antsy. Soon enough, school will let out for the most marvelous break of all, summer vacation. While all students look forward to the end of this school year, one group is more excited than all of the others. This group is, of course, the seniors in high school.

For high school seniors, the end of this school year is the end of their public school career. While some will be heading off to college, others may be heading off to a trade school or straight to a new job. Whatever a student is heading to, this is an exciting time. Naturally, this leads to a lot of celebrating and parties.

While many of these soon-to-be ex-students will be legal adults, they will still be too young to consume any alcohol. Since no one wants to end up breaking any laws, parents need to be careful when they are hosting graduation parties. If they aren’t careful, they could find themselves liable for a drunk driving accident.

Minors, Alcohol, and Host Liability in California

When it comes to raising young adults, parents all have their own, unique approach. For some parents, being over 18, but under the age of 21, means that their child cannot have alcohol no matter what. Other parents feel it is okay to allow their child to have a few drinks, provided they have adult supervision. Unfortunately, for those latter parents, that is actually against the law here in California under Business and Professions (BP) Code 25658.2.

Here in the state of California, it is illegal for anyone, including the parents, to allow a minor to consume alcohol in public or in their own household. If the minor then leaves the house and drives or causes a traffic accident, not only will the minor face legal charges, the adult who gave them the alcohol will face misdemeanor charges. This means the adult could face up to a year in jail and a fine of $1,000.
This makes things very difficult for anyone planning on hosting a graduation party. Party hosts are responsible for ensuring that the minors at their parties stay safe and healthy. Responsible adults need to take all reasonable steps to ensure that no underage drinking occurs at any of their parties. This means doing more than just telling the minors that they can’t have any alcohol if the host is providing alcohol to the adults at the party. If a minor does have alcohol, and then drives away from the party, the host could be held responsible for any accidents caused by the drunk minor.

If a drunk minor were to get into an accident, they would face harsh repercussions related to DUI. Aside from that, the adult in charge of the party could face legal charges such as contributing to the delinquency of a minor and furnishing a minor with alcohol. Plus, the adult could be held liable for paying for any of the damages caused by the minor, which depending on the size of the accident, could be very costly.

It Is Better for Everyone to Keep Things Safe and Sober

Nobody wants to deal with a drunk driving accident, especially if it involves a minor on the verge of graduating from high school. The results of an accident like that could be utterly devastating. That is why it is best to keep alcohol far away from graduation parties.

While graduating seniors are on their way to becoming full-fledged adults, they aren’t quite there yet. They are still in the tail end of that teen phase, and as all adults will attest to, teens don’t make the best decisions. That is why the legal drinking age across the country is 21. By then, teens have typically matured a little more and are more prepared to take on all of the responsibility that comes with consuming alcohol.

What do you think of California’s take on minors and drinking? Is the state too strict, or is it on the right path? What about the states take on host responsibility? Do you think party hosts should be held liable for any damages caused by a minor that got drunk at their party? Let us know what you think in the comments down below, and congratulations to all the seniors out their preparing to graduate from high school.

underage drinking laws

Who Is Liable If a Minor Drinks at a Party?

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underage drinking laws

From time to time, people get adventurous and decide that they want to throw a party at their home. Maybe they haven’t seen their friends and family members in a while, or they have some big event to celebrate, whatever the reason, they want everyone there.

Hosting a party is no easy undertaking. Figuring out what to serve to guest can be challenging, especially if kids and teens are going to be around. While the adults might enjoy a bit of alcohol, the younger crowd will need their own beverages.

Providing alcohol at parties can do a lot more than just get people drunk. In some places, it can get the host into legal trouble if one of the attendees gets too drunk and hurts someone. This law is often referred to as social host liability. This can apply in a number of different scenarios, especially if minors are involved. A party host needs to really pay attention to what is going on at their party if they want to avoid getting into any trouble.

What Is Social Host Liability?

Social host liability is a term that most people aren’t really aware of, despite the fact that many people have thrown parties in their lifetime. However, despite the lack of knowledge on the subject, it is still very important to know, since it could keep a person out of trouble.

Essentially, social host liability holds a party host responsible for any damages a drunk partier could have caused. For example, say Bob is at a party hosted by Karen. Bob has too much to drink, and then decides to drive himself home. He gets into an accident and hurts another driver. In some states, that driver could then turn around and sue Karen because she provided Bob with the alcohol and allowed him to drive away from her party.

This kind of law varies from state to state. Here in California, Civil Code 1714 states: “the furnishing of alcoholic beverages is not the proximate cause of injuries resulting from intoxication, but rather the consumption of alcoholic beverages is the proximate cause of injuries inflicted upon another by an intoxicated person.”

What this means, is that the person who drinks an alcoholic beverage is responsible for their actions, not the person who gave them the drink in the first place. This applies in most cases, except when a minor is involved.

Who Is Responsible When Minors Drink at a Party?

In the state of California, it is illegal for anyone to knowingly give alcohol to a minor, even the minor’s legal parent or guardian. This provides an exception for Civil Code 1714. In these instances, the term “knowingly” can become tricky. In some instances, a host can get into trouble even if they told the minors that they couldn’t have any alcohol, but the minor snuck some anyways. This means that knowingly providing alcohol doesn’t just mean giving the alcohol to a minor, it can also mean having alcohol available for adults at a party that minors are also attending.

If a minor gets drunk and causes an accident after leaving the party, the host could be liable for any of the damages caused by the minor. This can be very costly, and harmful. That is why it is in a party host’s best interest to ensure that minors do not consume alcohol at their party.

Party Hosts Need to Keep an Eye on Whoever Drinks

Throwing a party is a hard enough task on its own. The host has to make sure that there is entertainment and enough food and drink for everyone. They also have to make sure everything runs smoothly over the course of the whole event. With the addition of social host liability, the host also needs to make sure that no minors drink and cause trouble.

Throwing a party can be a stressful thing, but it shouldn’t be. After all, parties are supposed to be fun. A host needs to make sure that no minors drink at their party, and make sure that anyone who does drink, gets a safe ride home that doesn’t involve the drunk person driving themselves, because that is never a good idea. By doing that, a host can reduce the chances of themselves getting into any legal trouble and have a good time.

smoking in cars with children

Is It Illegal to Smoke in a Car with Children Present?

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smoking in cars with children

Pretty much everyone is aware of the fact that smoking is bad. It can be incredibly damaging to the human body, which is why it causes around 480,000 deaths each year in the United States alone. This is about 1 out of every 5 deaths in the country. This is also more deaths than the following causes combined:

  • HIV
  • Drug use
  • Alcohol use
  • Car crashes
  • Gun related incidents

The numbers and stats are quite intimidating, and yet, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 14 out of every 100 adults over the age of 18 smoke in the US. This totals to around 34.3 million adults smoking. That is a lot of people out there who are knowingly causing a lot of harm to their body. This is just the stats for the people who purposefully smoke, then there are the people who are effected despite never smoking themselves.

The Dangers of Secondhand Smoke

Secondhand smoke is a term that refers to the smoke that non-smokers inhale. This smoke comes from the lit end of cigarettes, and the smoke exhaled by the smoker him/herself. This smoke can linger for hours, and spread up to 20 feet away from the smoker. When breathed in by a passerby, they are exposed to the very same health risks that smokers are, despite never actually smoking themselves.

This is why smoking has been banned in most areas, especially areas where lots of children will be present, to protect people who have made the conscious decision to not smoke.

Children and Secondhand Smoke

Smoking is bad enough for fully grown adults, but it is even worse for children. Children’s bodies are still developing and growing, making them more susceptible to the health risks that come from secondhand smoke. Some of the side effects of secondhand smoke amongst children include:

  • Developing bronchitis
  • Developing pneumonia
  • Ear infections
  • Increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome
  • Asthma attacks
  • Lung infections

This is why smoking is banned from schools, daycares, and homes that serve as daycares. What many people may not be aware of, is that here in the state of California, it is actually against the law to smoke in a car when minors are present. This actually makes a lot of sense, though it is often overlooked.

Inside a vehicle, secondhand smoke levels can get way out of hand. The levels of pollutants in the air can get well above the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) hazardous limit. Some drivers try to get around this by cracking open a window to allow the car to vent. While this does reduce the amount of pollutants in the air within the vehicle, they are still 10 to 20 times more than the EPA’s Hazard limit. This means that the air is still very toxic, and therefore very damaging, to children.

Smoking in a vehicle with minors inside is an infraction level offense, and a minor one at that. This means that it comes with a small fine and no possibility of jail time. In addition, officers are very unlikely to pull a driver over just for smoking with children in the car. More than likely, the driver will be pulled over for some other traffic offense, and this offense will be added onto the ticket as well.

Don’t Smoke Around Non-Smokers

Smoking is just a bad idea in general, since it does a lot of harm to a person’s body. However, if that person wants to smoke, that is their choice. However, the people around them have likely made the decision not to smoke, and have a right to be able to breathe clean, smoke-free air. This is especially true for growing children. That is why smoking is restricted to specific areas that are far away from where children may be present. This includes the inside of a vehicle.

What do you think of California’s law against smoking in cars with children? Is it the right thing to do, or should it come with harsher consequences? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.

safety tips for social media posting

Be Careful What You Share Online

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safety tips for social media posting

Most people nowadays are in quite a rush to post something on social media after an exciting or infuriating event happens. Everyone is so used to that sharing, that often times, they forget to realize that they might be oversharing. There somethings that are better kept to oneself, and not posted online.

Everything that goes up onto a social media site can affect a person in one way or another. Creating a post can get a person attention, but sometimes it can come with more attention the person really wanted. For instance, in today’s modern world, most companies will examine a person’s social media accounts to determine if the person is the kind of employee they want to have working for them.

This is why a person needs to be very careful with what they share on social media, or even share with friends through electronic communications such as text and email. A person never really knows who might see things.

Good Tips for What Not to Post or Share

When it comes to a person posting things online, it is best to assume that nothing they share is private. This rings true even if a person has a private account. There are countless ways for people to get around that privacy. For instance, a friend of the posters could like the post and share it with their friends, and so on and so on. Perhaps a hacker gets ahold of the account and makes some of the more embarrassing or private posts public. Something like this could lead to problems later on for whoever created the post.

Another good bit of advice when it comes to making a social media posts is to never make one when upset. People don’t always make the best decisions when they are angry or upset, which means they would most likely make a bad post that could come back to haunt them. The worst part about them is these things are permanent. Even if the post is deleted, it can still exist elsewhere on the internet.

Even when it comes to messaging people, a person should be careful of what they send and to who. Some people can be trusted with private information and pictures, others can’t be. This is especially true when it comes to sending nude photos to significant others. If the couple experiences a bad break up, they may post the photos online as a form of revenge. While this is illegal, some people still do it and once those photos are online, they can never truly be taken down.

Things That Should Never Be Shared

There are a few basic things that should never be shared online, these things include:

  • Confidential information. This includes things such as social security numbers, home addresses, online account passwords, info that could be used as a clue to a password, and personal phone numbers. This information can be used to steal a person’s identity, find their home, or harass them over the phone.
  • Financial Information. This includes bank records, account numbers, and credit card information. Identity thieves can use this info to access those accounts and steal the money within.
  • A Person’s Schedule. This includes the person’s work schedule and any vacation plans they might have. Thieves can use this to know when a person isn’t home, and know exactly when to rob the person’s home.
  • Work Information. This includes clients that the person may work for, or coworkers they may work with. Sharing stuff like this can get the person into trouble at work if they are not careful.

A person should never share this kind of information about themselves online, and they definitely shouldn’t share this kind of information about others. Once this information is posted online, it can be there forever, despite having the post deleted. If it falls into the wrong hands, someone could find themselves in serious trouble.

Practice Safe Sharing Online

As fun as it can be to share exciting information with friends on social media, sometimes it is best to not share everything. Somethings can cause trouble if a person is not careful. Add that to the fact that once stuff is on the web, it can be very difficult to remove. That is why everyone should carefully consider everything they post online. Doing so could mean the difference between embarrassment, and staying sane, or getting the job the person really wants.

california drone laws

Did You Know about These FAA Drone Regulations?

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california drone laws

Today, drones are the latest and greatest thing. These small, remote-controlled little vehicles can provide just about anyone with a stunning, bird’s eye view of an area. Some of the imagery captured by drones, whether it be pictures or video footage, is usually quite stunning. This has people racing to get out there and buy their own drones. Unfortunately, this has caused quite a few problems.

Many either forget, or just don’t know, that flying a drone is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This means that there are a lot of rules to flying these tiny vehicles around. If a wannabe pilot breaks one of these rules, they could face some pretty serious consequences.

Drone Laws and the FAA

Drones is very loose term that means anything from the large unmanned aircrafts that the military uses, to model aircrafts, to the quadcopters that most people now think of when discussing drones. The FAA views drones as aircraft. Small ones, yes, but aircraft nonetheless. This means that as an aircraft, it and the pilot, the person controlling it from the ground, are subject to regulations from the FAA.

For starters, all drones .55 and 55 pounds need to be registered with the FAA. This costs $5 and the registration lasts for three years. This will give the owner a registration number that must be marked on their drone in some way, such as:

  • Engraving
  • Permanent Label
  • Permanent Marker

Most importantly, it is important to know where a person can legally fly their drone. Drones can be flown on private property, provided the pilot has permission from the owner, or at local parks. Some areas where drones shouldn’t be flown include:

  • Over 400 feet in the air.
  • Near airports.
  • Near manned aircraft.
  • Near stadiums.
  • Near large crowds of people.

Some other remaining rules include:

  • Taking a class before flying in the open.
  • Don’t fly recklessly.
  • Don’t fly anything over 55 pounds.
  • Don’t fly drones for money unless licensed to do so.

Drone Spies on Baseball Game

Recently, drones made headlines when it was discovered that someone flew their drone over Boston’s Fenway Park during a Red Sox game. This goes against FAA regulations, and once Park Security saw the drone, they immediately reported the incident to the police. Police, along with other security agencies are investigating the matter.

The drone appeared to be a DJI Phantom and the manufacturer is working with the authorities as best as possible to hopefully locate the pilot. The company released a statement that the pilot must have found a way to override the geofencing that would have been in place around the stadium.

This recent incident has added fuel to the fire of the FAA requiring all drones to have a remote identification system so that airborne drones. This way, when drones are noticed flying in restricted areas, the pilot can be found through the drone’s registration.

More Laws Are on the Horizon

Flying a drone can be a lot of fun, and offer a person a spectacular view of the world around them. Unfortunately, drones can also pose a risk to people and operations going on in the area. Flying drones near airports can causes flights to be delayed or even diverted since air traffic control doesn’t want to risk a collision. Similar incidents can happen near forest fires where firefighting aircraft need to fly low to battle the blaze. Drones can risk the aircraft’s safety.

Did you know about these rules and regulations, and what do you think about the FFA possibly requiring drones to be equipped with remote identification systems. Is it a good idea, or too much of a hassle? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.