Law Enforcement

Paroles of those who murder police could feed attacks on officers: Guest commentary
Those of us on the front lines of law enforcement have watched with growing concern as the 2009 federal court order to reduce the population of California's prison system has stretched our already-overburdened parole system and led to rising crime rates. Police officers were among the first to express dismay at the ruling and strongly opposed subsequent efforts to de-populate the prisons. We saw 2011's AB 109 as a simple system for funneling prisoners to county jails and, ultimately, release, and we spoke out against Proposition 47 because we knew it would put many violent criminals back on our streets. Few heeded our warnings then, but the rising crime rates we now see in California are increasingly being tracked back to AB 109 and Proposition 47.
Los Angeles Daily News

Homicide suspect shot by LAPD in Atwater Village dies
A man who police say shot and killed a woman in Atwater Village before being shot by Los Angeles police died at a hospital overnight, officials said Thursday. Coroner's officials identified the man as Carlos Joseph Wilhelm, a 39-year-old Los Angeles resident. The woman killed inside her home was identified as Lorraine Gonzalez, 50. LAPD Lt. John Jenal said investigators were still trying to pinpoint the connection between Wilhelm and Gonzalez, but said there were no indications that the shooting was a random attack.
Los Angeles Times

2 shot in South Los Angeles, gunmen at large
Two men were shot and wounded on a South Los Angeles street by gunmen who remained at large this morning, police said. The shootings at the intersection of 117th and Main streets took place about 10:10 p.m. Wednesday, an officer at the Los Angeles Police Department's Southeast Division reported. “On victim was hospitalized with a gunshot wound to his left hip,” the officer said. “He suffered non-life-threatening wounds. The other victim was taken to a hospital by a private party after he was grazed on his arm by a bullet.”
Los Angeles Daily News

Teen Girl Shot, Protects Baby Nephew In South LA
A teenage girl, visiting from out of town, got caught up in gun violence in South Los Angeles. She is a lucky survivor after being shot Wednesday night, at the same time protecting a baby who was with her. De Je Brewer, 14, will have a scar where doctors removed a bullet from her arm and where another bullet pierced her skin. She was in the back seat of a Ford Explorer with her 10-month-old nephew when shots were fired.
ABC 7

Man, 20, Fatally Shot in South L.A.'s Florence Neighborhood; Investigation Underway
An investigation was underway early Friday morning into the fatal shooting of a 20-year-old man in the Florence neighborhood of South Los Angeles, police said. Officers responded about 12:28 a.m. to a report of a shooting in the area of East Gage Avenue and South San Pedro Street, where they found a male victim who had been shot multiple times in the upper torso, said Lt. Raul Jovel of the LAPD.
KTLA 5

Cops Seek Help Identifying Pacifica Palisades Burglar
The Los Angeles Police Department's West Los Angeles Area is seeking the public's help to identify a burglary suspect caught on video. On August 24, 2015, a suspect entered a residence in the 1000 block of Las Pulgas Road in Pacific Palisades. He entered the residence by prying off plywood from an entrance to the back of the residence. The suspect stole a home entertainment system and clothes; he may have left in a dark pick-up truck with chrome rims.
Santa Monica Patch

"He Was a Good Kid": Police Offer $10,000 Reward For Information on 18-Year-Old Shot to Death
Police are requesting for the public's help in identifying two people who were caught on surveillance video fleeing the scene of a murder in the Florence-Graham area, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said Thursday. A $10,000 reward is being offered after an 18-year-old man named Marshawn Jackson was shot to death.
NBC Los Angeles

California asks: where have all the cops gone?
Police officer Daniel Buduan moves fluidly around the police cruiser, placing an assault rifle he's just inspected in the vehicle in preparation to ride along with his sergeant. Buduan is a rookie, but he's a fast learner. Buduan's department could use a dozen more like him. A hiring crunch has left police departments throughout California thirsty for new recruits and Buduan is one of the few young people getting into policing during what police unions say is a tough recruiting period.
USA Today

Is There A 'War On Police'? The Statistics Say No
The ambush-style murder of Sheriff Deputy Darren Goforth at a gas station in suburban Houston on Aug. 29 has added new urgency to warnings about a growing "war on cops" in America. After the arrest of the suspect, an African-American man named Shannon J. Miles, the local district attorney called for more public support for law enforcement. "It is time for the silent majority in this country to support law enforcement," said Devon Anderson, the Harris County DA. "There are a few bad apples in every profession. That does not mean there should be open warfare declared on law enforcement."
NPR

City Government

New L.A. councilman eyes ban on business, union donations to candidates
A Los Angeles lawmaker wants the Ethics Commission to explore banning campaign contributions from businesses, unions and other groups, arguing that it would prevent hard-to-trace donations from flowing to city candidates. But it's not clear whether the plan will even receive a full hearing at City Hall, where City Councilman David Ryu needs at least one other council member to sign on to introduce the proposed changes for consideration.
Los Angeles Times