Amber Alert Startles L.A. Cell Phone Users

We haven't seen too many of these, so when it's activated, you know its serious. For many folks in L.A., including me, tonight was the first time we noticed an Amber Alert -- and the scary, loud vibrating buzz that comes with it -- on our phones.

Here's why: It's a relatively new service. Details from the Amber Alert website:

As of January 1, 2013, AMBER Alerts will now be automatically sent through the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) program to millions of cell phone users. If you have a WEA-enabled phone, you are automatically enrolled for the three alerts: President, Imminent Threat and AMBER Alerts. The addition of AMBER Alerts to this notification system is a result of a partnership between CTIA and the wireless industry, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Any questions or concerns on the AMBER Alert message received on your phone should be directed to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), who manages the secondary distribution of AMBER Alerts.

Contact: NCMEC, 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).

For more information on the AMBER Alert Program, view the Frequently Asked Questions.

And here's information from San Diego's CBS8 on the Alert:

The California Highway Patrol issued an Amber Alert for two children kidnapped from Boulevard. The children are connected to a house fire that broke out Sunday night, where their mother was found dead inside.

Sheriff's deputies are looking for the children, Hannah Anderson, 16, and Ethan Anderson, 8. Their mother, Christina Anderson, of Lakeside, was found dead inside a burning home in an unincorporated part of Boulevard on Sunday night.

Investigators believe the kids were taken by James Lee DiMaggio, 40 who is possibly driving a 2013 blue Nissan Versa with the California license plate 6WCU986.

Ponch Reminds You: Drop That Cell Phone

With the California hands-free cell phone rule taking effect on July 1, time's running out to figure out how to keep gabbing away in your car. (Remind me to avoid you on the road, btw.)

Erik Estrada to the rescue. He'll be at the Petersen Automotive Museum this Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. as LG passes out free Bluetooth headsets.

The big question: Are you going to see Ponch and scoring a free headset in the process, or going for the free headset but catching a bonus glimpse of Erik Estrada? It's quite the winning combination.

Driving While Phoning: One Month Left

For all of you who don't have a hands-free device but hafta, just hafta use the phone while stuck in traffic, you've got a month left. The L.A. Times answers the pertinent questions:

If you're 18 or older, you are prohibited from holding a phone and talking while driving. If you're 16 or 17, the only time you can use a cellphone at all while driving is in an emergency.

The first offense will result in a $20 ticket, and subsequent citations are $50 apiece. But with court costs and penalties, the true costs of those tickets are $76 and $190, respectively.

Something else to chew on: The new laws go into effect just days before the California Highway Patrol goes on "maximum patrol" throughout the Fourth of July weekend. That means 80% of CHP officers will have their eyes on the road. And on you and your cellphone.

The paper notes that, oddly, texting while driving isn't covered by the new law. But don't go typing your OMGs and LOLs while speeding down the 10 -- CHP says it'll nab you for distracted driving.

Will the roads be safer? Who knows, the paper says. Some argue that drivers are distracted by the conversation itself, and that won't change.

In T-Mobile 411's Alternate Universe, Valley Succession Succeeded

Wednesday night I was heading into the West Valley to meet up with the extended family for my brother-in-law's birthday. One problem: I couldn't remember if Maria said the Thai BBQ location we were meeting at was on Reseda, or where on Reseda.

So I called 411 on my Blackberry.

"411, city and state please," the pre-recorded voice intoned.

"Los Angeles, California."

Suddenly, a live voice came on: "Listing please."

"Thai BBQ on Reseda."

"Sorry, I have no listing for that. I have locations on Venice and on Hollywood," she replied.

"Hmm, none in other parts of Los Angeles? Nothing in the 818 are code?" I asked.

"Sir, 818 is not part of Los Angeles."

Ooh, dem's fightin' words. Of course, quite a huge chunk of Los Angeles is in the 818!

"No, 818 is in Los Angeles."

She got testy. "Sir, I'm gonna need a city name."

Ugh. I know what's happening here; 411 considers neighborhoods like Northridge or Reseda as separate cities.

"OK, what cities do you have there?" I asked.

"Van Nuys, Reseda..."

"But, but, THAT'S LOS ANGELES!" I spit out.

"Sir, I'm going to transfer you to my supervisor."

I ultimately just called the Thai BBQ in Hollywood and asked if they had a location on Reseda; they did, and gave me the address. Guess I should have just done that to begin with.

UPDATE: OK, just to be a city nerd, I tried another test. I called 411 and told 'em I was looking for a Los Angeles phone number. "Barney's Beanery, on Santa Monica."

They gave it to me. IT'S IN WEST HOLLYWOOD, PEOPLE!

So here's the recap. 411 won't recognize parts of L.A. -- Northridge, Reseda, etc. -- as Los Angeles. Yet it does recognize West Hollywood -- a completely separate city, unlike those Valley neighborhoods -- as a part of Los Angeles. It's an area code thing, I suppose. But still!

Get Up, and Get, Get, Get Down, 911 is a Joke in Yo Town

News You Can Use from the Los Angeles Times: In an emergency, DO NOT use your cell phone to dial 911. A landline could be the difference between a timely response vs. a 17-minute busy signal.

The paper writes:

Wireless 911 calls statewide have jumped roughly tenfold since 1990, to more than 8 million last year. Cell calls now make up the majority of all 911 calls, and key emergency agencies are struggling to adapt.

The problems are aggravated by call surges -- such as when multiple motorists call in about the same accident -- staffing shortages at 911 dispatch centers, and technological hurdles. Cell calls are more easily interrupted or lost and take longer to handle, officials say, reducing the number of calls each dispatcher can field.

Many people are unaware of such deficiencies until they desperately need help.

Flavor Flav, of course, was talking about 911 response time in the inner city. But these days, his song has -- in industry lingo -- quite the crossover appeal.