Law Enforcement

New Calif law broadly defines crimes
Gov. Jerry Brown and others who supported the dramatic shift in California's sentencing law that took effect this week have said it will send only those convicted of nonviolent or non-serious crimes to county jails instead of state prison, a change designed to save the state money and reduce inmate crowding. Yet a review by The Associated Press of crimes that qualify for local sentences shows at least two dozen offenses shifting to local control that can be considered serious or violent.
Associated Press

California leads in reported anti-Semitic incidents nationwide
Anti-Semitic incidents surged in California in 2010, making it the worst offender nationwide, according to the Anti-Defamation League. While the audit found a 2.3 percent increase in incidents over 2009 throughout the states, California incidents rose by 8 percent, from 275 to 297, according to the league's annual Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents. Many of the recorded occurrences were concentrated in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and Kern counties.
NBC4

Arrest made in freeway shooting spree
An alert Los Angeles County motorist led to the Tuesday morning capture of a man possibly involved in a shooting spree on San Diego County freeways that wounded one driver and damaged at least two other vehicles Monday, the California Highway Patrol said. Officers had been searching for Enrique Ayon, 24, since he was identified as the owner of a white Chevrolet Malibu suspected of being involved in at least four separate shootings on Interstates 805 and 5.
San Diego Union-Tribune

Walking for police survivors
The Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) will host its seventh annual "COPS Walk" early next month to bring together survivors and members of the law enforcement community willing to accept the challenge of walking 25 miles in two days to support family, co-workers, and other supporters of fallen officers. The COPS Walk will be Oct. 8-9, along the scenic, historic C&O Canal that runs from Virginia through Maryland and into West Virginia; participants will walk 12.5 miles each day. The walk raises funds to ensure that C.O.P.S. continues helping those who have lost a loved one in the line of duty.
Police Magazine

The Economy

Southern California protests gain momentum with union support
The groundswell of populist anger against banks and politicians picked up momentum in Southern California as powerful labor union support helped galvanize protests nationwide. Rallies extended to the 18th day in New York, where Occupy Wall Street planned a massive solidarity march with unions Wednesday. Protesters spent their fourth night camping outside Los Angeles City Hall, disrupted a bankers conference at a Newport Beach yacht club and demonstrated outside a financial executive's Bel Air home.
Los Angeles Times

A project we all need to support
The news out of City Hall is bleak. Budget officials there are now reporting that Los Angeles' financial prospects are worse than expected, with a projected shortfall growing to $200 million next year. In this difficult economic environment, in addition to ensuring adequate funding for public safety, the League's advocacy efforts are focused on helping to accelerate economic recovery.  The LAPPL is enthusiastically supporting BNSF Railway's proposed Southern California International Gateway project, designed to be the greenest intermodal facility in the United States.
LAPPL Blog

City Government

L.A. firefighters won't face discipline in porn-film probe
Los Angeles firefighters who allegedly allowed fire engines to be used in two porn films won't face discipline because of a loophole in the City Charter, officials said Tuesday. The charter prevents the Fire Department from disciplining any member for actions that are more than two years old, Chief Brian Cummings said in a letter to Councilman Dennis Zine. The chief said both incidents occurred on or before 2008. One incident involved Engine 263, which is stationed at Firehouse 63 in Venice.
Los Angeles Times