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Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer
Office of OC District Attorney-Public Administrator Todd Spitzer.
The first visitor arrived at Angel Stadium at midnight. By daybreak, a line snaked out of the parking lot like fans waiting for a World Series game.![]()
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Modeled on a traditional gun buyback, the Sept. 13 event was believed to be the first of its kind: an e-bike buyback, organized by Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer to purge the powerful machines officials blame for an epidemic of accidents.![]()
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“We are destroying these bikes,” Spitzer announced to cheers. “They’re going to be crushed!”![]()
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In just over two hours, residents surrendered more than 1,000 e-bikes and e-motorcycles. In return, the DA’s office handed out gift cards worth up to $1,000, funded by seized criminal assets. When the money ran out, dozens were still in line; some abandoned their bikes anyway, while others tried to strike their own deals in the parking lot.![]()
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Spitzer, a Republican, has emerged as one of the nation’s toughest prosecutors on e-bike violations. Beyond the buyback, he is pursuing parents who allegedly let their children ride them illegally or dangerously.![]()
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As e-bikes have skyrocketed in popularity nationwide, so have injuries. In sun-drenched Orange County, e-bikes are everywhere, especially along the affluent coast, where packs of tanned tweens and teens, some toting surfboards, buzz down beachfront strands on quiet machines costing anywhere from hundreds to even thousands of dollars.![]()
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Waiting at the buyback, Fred Sigala, of Anaheim, said he bought his son Aiden, now 13, what he thought was an e-bike last year, but it turned out to be an e-moto that could hit 45 mph and was illegal for a boy his age. He instructed Aiden, who wore a helmet, to stay at a setting under 20 mph. Aiden said he obeyed but was surprised by the power. “It went really fast and accelerated really quickly,” the boy recalled, as he and his dad rolled the bike through the line to surrender it.
Keeping Orange County's animals safe starts with you and continues with us. ![]()
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At the Orange County District Attorney's Office, we fight for all animals. Every life in Orange County deserves protection and justice.![]()
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If you witness or are suspicious of animal abuse, repOC Animal Carenimal Care Services at 714-935-6848.
From the 15-year-old boy who asked his dad to drive him to turn in his E-Motorcycle to the mom who turned in the E-Bike her 23-year-old son was riding when he was killed, thousands of people showed up to Buy Back their safety at the Orange County District Attorney’s Office Buy Back Safety E-Bike and E-Moto Buy Back Event at Angel Stadium and turn in their unwanted E-Bikes, E-Motos, E-Scooters, and pocket bikes in exchange for up to $1,000 in gift cards.![]()
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Nearly 1,000 E-Bikes, E-Motos, E-Scooters, and pocket bikes, including Talarias, Tuttios, and Super73 E-Motos – many of which had been illegally modified to go faster – were turned in. Gift cards were bought using asset forfeiture funds seized from criminals and the first 75 people received.![]()
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E-Bike and E-Moto injuries are the number one reason Orange County children end up in the emergency room. The Buy Back event cost less than the cost of ONE visit to an emergency room as a result of and E-Bike or E-Moto injury.![]()
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Every one of those vehicles surrendered represents a child who will not be injured or killed as a result of an E-Bike or E-Motorcycle crash – and that is worth every penny.![]()
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Ride like your life depends on it – because it does.![]()
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For more information about California E-Bike and E-Moto laws, E-Bike classifications, and helmet information, please visit the California Office of Traffic Safety at www.gosafelyca.org
This Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week the Orange County District Attorney's Office is raising awareness on child passenger safety.![]()
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Car seats and booster seats protect passengers when used correctly. Take time to review safety guidelines and installation instructions to make every car ride a safe one.![]()
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OCFA offers free car seat safety inspections and installations with a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician BY APPOINTMENT in Garden Grove, Buena Park, Santa Ana, Tustin, Irvine, Aliso Viejo, and Ladera Ranch. Appointments can be requested at ocfa.org/residents/car-seat-installation/
The Orange County District Attorney's Office wishes our Jewish community a meaningful Yom Kippur. This Day of Atonement, the holiest day in Judaism, is a time for reflection, fasting, and seeking forgiveness. It began yesterday at sundown and will end this nightfall. To those observing: may you be sealed in the Book of Life for a good year.
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