Law Enforcement

Crime alerts for Highland Park, University Park
Crime reports are up significantly for the latest week in eight L.A. neighborhoods, according to an analysis of LAPD data by the Los Angeles Times' Crime L.A. database. Four neighborhoods reported a significant increase in violent crime. Highland Park was the most unusual, recording seven reports compared with a weekly average of 3.2 over the last three months. University Park topped the list of five neighborhoods with property crime alerts.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD makes example of Panorama City gang
Showing that they've made good on a new hard-line approach to stopping gang violence, police said they have made an example of a Panorama City gang by arresting dozens of its members after a spate of shootings, regardless of whether those individuals were directly involved. After 12 incidents, including five shootings believed to involve the Columbus Street gang in June, LAPD arrested 34 members, some on unrelated charges, police told a group of nine gang members at a meeting last week.
Los Angeles Daily News

Soccer game between rival San Fernando Valley gangs helps keep the peace
What began this spring as a police call for San Fernando Valley gangs to drop their guns ended this summer in a peaceful soccer match between rival gangs. And when the floodlights darkened last weekend on Los Angeles' vaunted Summer Night Lights program, a systematic campaign rolled forward to keep the peace. "A flicker can turn into a flame, a flame into a bonfire, if you're not paying attention," said William "Blinky" Rodriguez, whose North Hills-based Communities in Schools of the San Fernando Valley is part of a comprehensive Los Angeles strategy to lure youth away from gangs and gang violence.
Los Angeles Daily News

Man found stabbed to death in his apartment
Los Angeles police are investigating the stabbing of a middle-aged man found dead in his apartment, authorities said. Los Angeles Police Department officers were dispatched to the man's home on the 400 block of South Le Doux Road near Cedars-Sinai Medical Center late Saturday after friends reported him missing. When they arrived, they found the man dead, LAPD spokesman Cleon Joseph said.
Los Angeles Times

Prisons & Parole

More inmates, shorter terms possible in isolation lockup
Corrections officials are studying changes in the classification system used to determine which inmates are locked in the state's controversial Security Housing Units. The move could mean more inmates are assigned to the windowless, isolated units but for shorter time periods, provided they participate in special programming and remain "disciplinary free." The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation already has notified prison wardens that inmates in the Security Housing Units will be allowed more personal items as "earned privileges" beginning Oct. 1.
California Watch

Immigration

California lawmakers send Brown bill granting college aid to illegal immigrants
The state Assembly voted Friday to send Gov. Jerry Brown a bill that allows undocumented immigrant college students to receive publicly funded financial aid. After a lengthy debate, Assembly Bill 131 - the second part of the controversial measure known as the California Dream Act - cleared the lower house on a 45-27 vote. The bill allows access to taxpayer-funded financial aid for students who came to the country before age 16, attended a California high school for at least three years and graduated.
Sacramento Bee

Healthcare

Nearly 40% of North Hollywood, Sun Valley homeless found at risk
Nearly 40% of the homeless population in North Hollywood and Sun Valley are at risk of premature death, according to a survey completed this week. Of the 271 people surveyed, 106 were found to have health conditions associated with a high mortality risk, said organizers from the San Fernando Valley Homeless Coalition, a network of service providers.
Los Angeles Times