With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Kevin Smith's Daughter Says She Was Almost Kidnapped By Fake Uber Drivers
The teenage daughter of director Kevin Smith says that two men posing as Uber drivers attempted to abduct her last weekend.
Harley Quinn Smith, 16, says that while she was waiting for an Uber ride outside of a Starbucks in Brentwood, two men tried to convince her they were with the company and told her to get inside their vehicle. The young actress described the alleged kidnapping attempt in an Instagram post, explaining that the two men had an Uber sign in the car window, but did not have the company's app on their phones. She writes:
I was just standing outside a Starbucks in Brentwood, where I was waiting for my uber when a large, beige car drove up to me and tried to get me to think they were my uber. There were two white men (age 20-30) in the driver (blonde hair) and passenger (brown hair) seat with an uber sign on their front window, but they were most definitely not uber drivers. When I asked who they were there to pick up, making sure it was the right car, they wouldn't answer me and said to get in the car. They didn't have the uber app on their phone and were clearly just two disgusting dudes trying to kidnap a girl standing on her own.
Smith avoided getting in the vehicle, but says she was "in too much haze of fear" and not thinking straight enough to take a picture of the men or record the vehicle's license plate. She says the incident was reported to the police and asks if others see a car and men matching the rough description to report it as well.
"Protect yourself and never ever get in a car without checking that it's the correct car first!!!" Smith cautions, adding, "Be careful and look out for yourself/others!!!!"
Following the incident, her father offered this safety tip to young people:
Safety Tip: When you leave the house, always bring something stabby, Kids. Or buy some pepper spray from this guy... https://t.co/5YcRGMhj6z
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) February 4, 2016
He also sent this cake to his daughter as an apology on behalf of all men:
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
- 
                        Immigration raids have caused some U.S. citizens to carry their passports to the store, to school or to work. But what documents to have on you depends on your citizenship.
 - 
                        The historic properties have been sitting vacant for decades and were put on the market as-is, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $1.75 million.
 - 
                        Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it.
 - 
                        The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course.
 - 
                        The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits.
 - 
                        The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high.