Law Enforcement

Crime alerts for Fairfax, Vermont Vista and 12 other L.A. neighborhoods
Crime reports are up significantly for the latest week in 14 L.A. neighborhoods, according to an analysis of LAPD data by the Los Angeles Times' Crime L.A. database. Eleven neighborhoods reported a significant increase in violent crime. Fairfax was the most unusual, recording five reports compared with a weekly average of 1.0 over the last three months. Vermont Vista topped the list of three neighborhoods with property crime alerts. It recorded 22 property crimes compared with its weekly average of 13.8 over the last three months.
Los Angeles Times

The Game's tweet leaves police asking how to call foul
Authorities wonder if legal action is possible after a rapper's Twitter followers overwhelm Compton sheriff's station with calls. Law enforcement has long dealt with unwieldy crowds, whether they are at protests, concerts or even celebrations like a Lakers' title victory. But Twitter and other social media have made it much easier to mobilize large crowds quickly, and police are struggling to keep up. Some police departments are beginning to assign officers to monitor Facebook, Twitter and other sites in search of crime and also to understand how social media work.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD chases suspected car thief from Glendale to Boyle Heights
A suspected car thief was in custody Monday after leading officers on a pursuit that ended with his arrest in Boyle Heights, police said. The pursuit began around 10:50 p.m. Sunday when a member of the public flagged down officers near the Glendale (2) Freeway and San Fernando Road south of Glendale to report a possible kidnapping in progress, said Sgt. Eddie Ortiz of the Los Angeles Police Department's Northeast Station.
Los Angeles Daily News

Female inmate dies in custody at LAPD jail in Van Nuys
Authorities are investigating the death of a woman who was found unconscious and not breathing early Monday in a cell at the Los Angeles Police Department jail in Van Nuys. The 35-year-old woman, who was not immediately identified, was found unresponsive at 2:55 a.m. and was pronounced dead at the scene, said LAPD Officer Sara Fayden. It was not immediately clear whether a medical condition or other factors led to her death, police said.
Los Angeles Times

Dodger Stadium Beating

Doctors: Significant strides for beaten Giants fan Bryan Stow
Doctors for the San Francisco Giants fan who was severely beaten outside Dodger Stadium says he has made significant improvement despite a series of "ups and downs" since the March attack. In a progress report issued Monday, the chief of neurosurgery at San Francisco General Hospital confirmed accounts by Bryan Stow's family that he's been able to follow some commands and interact with loved ones. But, Dr. Geoff Manley says it's still unclear how far Stow's recovery will take him.
Associated Press

Immigration

Federal task force considers law enforcement sharing of fingerprints with immigration agency
About 200 people walked out of a meeting by a federal government task force Monday in protest over a program that gives immigration officials access to the fingerprints of arrestees. The Department of Homeland Security assembled a group of law enforcement and community leaders to make recommendations on ways to improve the so-called Secure Communities program, which gives immigration authorities access to the fingerprints of people who are arrested.
Associated Press

Legislation

Jerry Brown gets bill to raise cellphone fines
Legislation that would increase fines for using a cellphone while driving - and making the law apply to bicyclists as well - was sent to Gov. Jerry Brown Monday. The Senate gave final approval to Senate Bill 28 by Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, on a 23-13 vote after Simitian told senators that while the current law on automotive cellphone use had worked well, raising fines would make it work better. Under SB 28, the basic fine for a first automotive offense would jump from $20 to $50 and for subsequent offenses from $50 to $100.
Sacramento Bee

Parole

Riverside County officials plan for new offenders
Riverside County's Probation Department will hire 100 new staff -- including 73 sworn officers -- to handle more than 1,600 low-risk offenders headed into local supervision this year. County officials expressed confidence Monday that they can effectively monitor the influx. But they continued to voice concern over how to handle other aspects of the new law that shifts responsibility for some offenders and inmates from the state to the counties. Chief among the worries is whether the state will provide funding beyond June 30 to cover the additional work.
Riverside Press-Enterprise