Law Enforcement

82 LAPD officers honored in Purple Heart ceremony
Eighty-two Los Angeles police officers were honored Thursday at a first-ever Purple Heart ceremony held to pay tribute to their acts of heroism and bravery that resulted in injury or death. The ceremony, hosted by the Los Angeles Police Foundation at the J.W. Marriott at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles, was attended by hundreds of people, including LAPD Chief Charlie Beck and Los Angeles City Council members.
Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Daily News

Veteran cops recognize 'Fast and Furious' as a foolhardy idea
Cops expect to face risks on the job. What they do not expect, what they cannot accept, is when their superiors have a hand in providing the weapons that others will use to kill them. I have withheld judgment on Operation Fast and Furious until now. Surely, I thought, there would emerge some explanation for what on first reading appeared to be a staggering level of stupidity and incompetence on the part of some in the ATF and the Justice Department. They could not possibly, I hoped, have been that obtuse. Having been a police officer for as long as I have, I should have known better.
Jack Dunphy/Pajamas Media

LAPD arrests suspect in shooting of USC students
A man suspected of shooting and wounding two USC students--one critically--has been arrested by Los Angeles police and charged by prosecutors with attempted murder, authorities said Thursday. The shooting occurred earlier Sept. 4, when several students confronted a stranger who appeared to be stealing items from an apartment complex in the 1200 block of West 37th Place during a large party. During the confrontation, the man fired once, hitting a female student in the hand and then seriously wounding a male student in the chest.
Los Angeles Times

Teenage gang member held in toddler's slaying
A teenage member of a Los Angeles-based street gang was arrested Wednesday on charges of firing a handgun at a porch full of family members in San Bernardino, killing a 3-year-old girl and seriously wounding a pregnant woman and her young daughter. Police say Monday's shooting appears to have been an act of revenge against a man who lived in the house who - an hour earlier - stopped the suspect from beating a woman on a sidewalk a few doors away.
Los Angeles Times

Father, son drive cross country for World Police & Fire Games
A hurricane, a trip to the hospital, keys locked in a big rig trailer, medals and the Los Angeles Police Department chief. No, these aren't the elements of the latest sequel to the "Hangover" franchise, but an epic trip undertaken by several local law enforcement and fire personnel to the World Police & Fire Games in New York.
Victor Valley Daily Press

Dodger Stadium Beating

Dodgers plan to file civil action against Stow beating suspects
Attorneys for Frank McCourt and the Los Angeles Dodgers say they will file a civil action against the two men charged in the beating of Bryan Stow as part of their strategy in defending a lawsuit by the Giants fan, who was nearly killed after the home team's Opening Day victory. The team filed papers in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday stating that a cross-complaint will be filed against Louie Sanchez, 29, and Marvin Norwood, 30. Both are accused of attacking Stow as he and his friends left Dodger Stadium on March 31.
NBC LA

Prisons & Parole

Early release of felons will challenge public safety
At a recent Long Beach City Council meeting numerous speakers argued in support of restoring public safety funds cut by the city. One theme persisted: We need more police officers, not fewer, to prepare for the release of thousands of felons by the state. Those speakers were referring to what's been dubbed "Realignment," the plan approved by Gov. Brown and the state Legislature to divert felons believed to be "nonviolent" from state prison to save the state money.
Long Beach Press-Telegram

Immigration

More crime, trafficking victims apply for visas
Immigration authorities say the number of crime and trafficking victims applying for special visas to stay in the country has increased, thanks to federal officials' outreach to local law enforcement. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officials say more than 13,000 crime victims have applied for the visas so far this fiscal year, up at least 28 percent from a year earlier. About 860 trafficking victims have applied, a 51 percent increase.
Associated Press

Report criticizes deportation program, urges changes
A federal task force charged with reviewing the Secure Communities deportation program said that the controversial initiative has had an "adverse impact" on community policing and that Immigration and Customs Enforcement has provided inaccurate or incomplete information about the program to states and localities.
Los Angeles Times

The Economy

`Grim' foreclosure outlook for Los Angeles through 2012
The housing crisis will claim nearly 200,000 Los Angeles homes to foreclosure through next year - more than 80,000 of them in the San Fernando Valley - a report released Thursday predicts. "The Wall Street Wrecking Ball," a report authored by two nonprofit housing advocates, estimates the mortgage meltdown has eroded almost $80 billion from the region's property values.
Los Angeles Daily News