Law Enforcement

LAPPL announces tentative agreement with the City
The Los Angeles Police Protective League and the City of Los Angeles have reached a tentative agreement for a successor Memorandum of Understanding covering more than 9,900 LAPD officers. “We have reached a tentative contract agreement to replace the previous MOU, which expires June 30, 2011,” LAPPL President Paul M. Weber said. “As in any contract negotiation, neither side got everything they wanted. However, we believe this contract is fair, but reflects the current budget issues faced by the City.”
LAPPL Press Release

'Stroller Bandits' ID'd, 1 remains at large
One of the alleged "Stroller Bandits" was arrested on Friday, accused of stealing wallets in downtown Los Angeles. One other woman remains at large. Police say 51-year-old Norma Reyes of Los Angeles and 55-year-old Bertha Vargas of West Covina are professional pickpockets and thieves. Vargas was taken into custody after police received a number of tips.
ABC7

Police chief is still confident LAPD has the right man in Dodger Stadium beating case
Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck on Friday reaffirmed his confidence that the man arrested on suspicion of brutally beating a San Francisco Giants fan at Dodger Stadium is, in fact, culpable of the crime. Giovanni Ramirez, 31, was arrested in late May in the March 31 beating of Bryan Stow, who was left with brain damage and remains hospitalized in serious condition. The decision to arrest Ramirez was made after some witnesses to the attack identified the gang member as one of the two assailants, police have said.
Los Angeles Times

Band that blocked freeway faces charges
Members of an Orange County band that blocked the 101 freeway for hours to perform will stand trial and face one felony count of conspiracy and misdemeanor counts of public nuisance and false imprisonment. The three men were arrested in Oct. 2010 when they stopped a truck across three lanes of busy Los Angeles traffic and began performing. Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department and the California Highway Patrol responded to the scene, but the three men continued to play and sing on the roof of the truck.
Orange County Register

North Hollywood barricade ends in two arrests
What began as a complaint about a loud party turned into vandalism and then a serious barricade situation, and it ended with two arrests today in North Hollywood, police said. Officers responded to an apartment building in the 5300 block of North Radford Avenue around 12:30 a.m. regarding a loud party, said Officer Christopher No of the Los Angeles Police Department. "The suspect was belligerent and uncooperative," No said. "But eventually he turned the music down and the officers left." But witnesses then reported seeing the host of the loud party walking on the street, shooting at vehicle windows.
Los Angeles Daily News

Municipal Budget Crisis

City Government

Villaraigosa expands Summer Night Lights recreation program
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced Friday the expansion of his 3-year-old Summer Night Lights program, which keeps some public parks - including locations in Harbor Gateway and Wilmington - open at night during the summer to give teens a place to go and keep crime down. Villaraigosa announced the expansion of the program from 24 locations last summer to 32 this year. The initiative launched in 2008 keeps parks open after dark and provides structured athletic and art activities and meals for kids in high crime neighborhoods.
Torrance Daily Breeze

Countdown to the 405 closure

Emergencies during 405 'Carmageddon' will be covered, officials say
Los Angeles police, fire and transportation officials sought to assure people attending a 405 freeway closure meeting Thursday night that they were fully prepared to protect the public during the 53-hour closure in mid-July. A unified command of public safety and transportation personnel was established to coordinate efforts and an eight-member panel representing the command team told about 170 people at the Skirball Cultural Center that public safety has been their top priority.
North Hollywood-Toluca Lake Patch

Passing

LAPD -- We're proud 'Columbo' was one of us
The Los Angeles Police Department feels like they lost one of their own in Peter Falk ... even though he only played a cop on TV. A rep for the LAPD tells TMZ they are "proud" to be associated with Falk's infamous character, Lt. Columbo, who was an LAPD homicide detective. The rep tells TMZ, "The Department extends heartfelt condolences to Mr. Falk's family in this most difficult time. He was truly one of the all-time great TV cops. There will never be another one like him." Falk passed away on Thursday at the age of 83.
TMZ