Law Enforcement

Several arrested, but protest remains mostly peaceful
Police arrested several people early Monday at the Occupy L.A. demonstration outside City Hall, but then the commotion quickly died down. Shortly after 5 a.m., police issued an order to disperse to those demonstrators gathered at the intersection of 1st and Main streets. Most people complied, but a few demonstrators refused to leave. At one point, some protesters started throwing things at police. Several people were then arrested; one person was carried away by police. Police said that there are still no plans to begin evicting people from City Hall Park, which was officially closed at midnight Sunday. They said their main intention was to clear the streets for morning commuters. Hundreds of officers wearing helmets and carrying batons lined the streets but continued to show restraint.
Los Angeles Times

Letter to Editor: Not a defining moment for police
The editorial ("Occupy L.A. is Beck's big test") overstates the role of the Los Angeles Police Department and the chief in determining the outcome of Occupy L.A. When the political winds shift toward ending it, officers and commanders will use their training and experience to do so with the least amount of force necessary. It is hardly going to be a defining moment in the history of the department or its chief. The perception that if there's a new LAPD it's because of the consent decree and the work of former Chief William Bratton and Chief Charlie Beck does a disservice to the nearly 10,000 men and women of the LAPD.
Paul M. Weber/Los Angeles Daily News

L.A.'s triumph over crime
As families gather across Los Angeles and beyond, many will celebrate the holiday weekend with a joy they owe in part to this city's historic triumph against crime. In the early 1990s, Los Angeles typically was the scene of more than 1,000 murders a year, a shocking toll that sapped the city's self-confidence as it cut a devastating swath through neighborhoods, schools and, most tragically, families. It has become easy in recent years to expect crime to decline here, but it's worth remembering how dangerous this city was compared with how safe it is..
Los Angeles Times Editorial

Crime alerts for San Pedro, Carthay and 11 other L.A. neighborhoods
Crime reports are up significantly for the latest week in 13 L.A. neighborhoods, according to an analysis of LAPD data by the Los Angeles Times' Crime L.A. database. Seven neighborhoods reported a significant increase in violent crime. San Pedro was the most unusual, recording 13 reports compared with a weekly average of 4.3 over the last three months. Carthay topped the list of seven neighborhoods with property crime alerts. It recorded six property crimes compared with its weekly average of 3.0 over the last three months.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD officer recovering after deadly shootout in South L.A.
A Los Angeles police officer is recovering Thursday after he was injured during a deadly shootout with a suspect in South L.A. LAPD Chief Charlie Beck sent out a Twitter message Thursday morning saying his prayers are with the officer and his family. The unidentified officer was shot in the foot about 4 p.m. Wednesday and was expected to recover from his wound, said Officer Karen Rayner of the Los Angeles Police Department. The suspect, who was armed and wanted in connection with a homicide in the LAPD's Olympic Division, was hit in the shootout and pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Los Angeles Times

Man dies after officer-involved shooting in South L.A.
Los Angeles police Saturday were investigating the death of a man shot by officers after he pulled out a weapon when they attempted to question him, authorities said. The man, thought to be in his late 20s, was walking Friday night near Jefferson Boulevard at Paloma Street in South Los Angeles when he was stopped by officers. Los Angeles Police Department officials called the nature of the encounter "routine," but said the exact reason remains under investigation. The man pulled out a gun, officials said, and the officers fired, striking him twice. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died during surgery Saturday.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD fires at shooting suspect; 4 arrested
A Los Angeles police officer fired his weapon at a suspect Sunday morning, but no one was hit. Officers were responding to a shooting in South Los Angeles at about 3:45 a.m. when they chased and arrested four suspects near 93rd Street and Clovis Avenue. One of the officers fired his weapon but did not hit anyone. However, the victim of the initial shooting was hospitalized. None of the officers were injured.
ABC7

LAPD still undecided on charges in Wal-Mart pepper spraying
Los Angeles police Saturday said they have not yet decided whether to seek charges against a woman who doused a crowd of Thanksgiving night shoppers with pepper spray at a Wal-Mart in Porter Ranch. The woman, who has not been identified, turned herself in to police Friday night after video of the incident was broadcast. She later was released while police continue investigating the incident.
Los Angeles Times

Idea of civilians using drone aircraft may soon fly with FAA
Drone aircraft, best known for their role in hunting and destroying terrorist hide-outs in Afghanistan, may soon be coming to the skies near you. Police agencies want drones for air support to spot runaway criminals. Utility companies believe they can help monitor oil, gas and water pipelines. Farmers think drones could aid in spraying their crops with pesticides. "It's going to happen," said Dan Elwell, vice president of civil aviation at the Aerospace Industries Assn. "Now it's about figuring out how to safely assimilate the technology into national airspace."
Los Angeles Times

City Government

Wesson's election as council president faces a challenge
The rise of Council President-elect Herb Wesson came with all the intrigue of a castle coup. And his ability to hold on to the job he is scheduled to take over on Jan. 2 could well depend on his ability to fend off a challenge being quietly circulated in the fourth-floor corridors of City Hall, where the City Council offices are located. There has been talk that a motion will be introduced to void Wesson's election, saying the whole procedure was in violation of the City Charter.
Los Angeles Daily News