Law Enforcement

Man dies in gun battle with LAPD in Pico-Union area
A man who police said fired at them in the Pico-Union area was killed Wednesday night in a gun battle with officers. The shooting occurred shortly after 7 p.m. when officers began following a vehicle reported stolen from Long Beach, the Los Angeles Police Department said. As the vehicle neared Washington Boulevard and Vermont Avenue, it struck a van. A man in his 20s exited the first vehicle with a revolver and began firing at officers, police said.
Los Angeles Times

More officers dying in ambush attacks
Despite a national campaign focused on police officer safety, the number of officers killed in the line of duty will increase for the second consecutive year, largely because of an alarming spike in ambush-style attacks, a Justice Department review has found. Federal and local officials for the past two years have been troubled by the overall number of firearms-related fatalities, which are up 23% so far in 2011, even though violent crime has declined in much of the country, according to preliminary statistics compiled by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
USA Today

California officers own 7,600 assault guns
Peace officers throughout California have bought more than 7,600 assault weapons that are outlawed for civilians in the decade since state lawmakers allowed the practice, according to data obtained by The Associated Press after it was revealed that federal authorities are investigating illegal gun sales by law enforcement. Investigators have not said what kinds of weapons were involved, but did say they were ones that officers can buy but civilians cannot. That category also can include certain types of handguns and high-capacity ammunition magazines.
Associated Press

LAPD warns Chatsworth, West Valley residents of spike in holiday burglaries
If you want to keep your holidays happy, heed the warning of the Los Angeles Police Department: Be watchful and keep your gifts and belongings out of sight and under lock and key. The LAPD reported that during the last week a spike has occurred in residential and commercial burglaries in the Topanga Division area. And while clusters of the crime have been noted in the West Hills and Woodland Hills communities, burglaries have also been reported up and down the Topanga Canyon corridor, including Chatsworth.
Chatsworth Patch

LAPD toy caravan delivers thousands of toys to kids in North Hollywood
The LAPD's North Hollywood Division continued Monday, as several thousand toys were delivered to children and families in some of the North Hollywood's underprivileged areas. Last week, the train of LAPD cars made stops at six local schools and the Four Seasons elder care facility and delivered toys and gifts. The giveaway continued Monday as 16 LAPD vehicles traveled the streets and neighborhoods handing out toys and putting smiles on many children's faces.
North Hollywood Patch

Law enforcement, impaired: Many cops have sleep disorders
A survey from the United States and Canada found 40 percent of police officers had symptoms of a sleep disorder, including sleep apnea and insomnia. Officers who screened positive for those disorders were also more likely to be burnt out, depressed, or have an anxiety disorder. And over the next two years, they committed more administrative errors and safety violations and were more prone to falling asleep at the wheel than sound sleepers.
Reuters

City attorney issues stats on Occupy LA arrests, trials
The Los Angeles City Attorney Wednesday gave its latest accounting of the nearly 300 Occupy L.A. protestors arrested outside City Hall last month when the months-old encampment was shut down by police on Nov. 30. A spokesman for City Attorney Carmen Trutanich said prosecutors have charged 51 Occupy L.A. protesters with crimes, mostly for failure to disperse. Frank Mateljan said one has already been convicted and sentenced to 18 months probation and 10 days of community service.
Southern California Public Radio

City Budget

Mayor calls for budget cuts to offset millions in Occupy LA costs
The City of Los Angeles reportedly faces millions of dollars in expenses brought about by the Occupy LA movement. City agencies have been ordered to calculate what was spent on the Occupy LA protests. Repairs to City Hall's lawn where the Occupy group set up camp on Oct. 1 will require an estimated $400,000. The police action to clear out the encampment on Nov. 30 cost more than $700,000.
CBS2

New Laws

The Economy

Congressional gridlock could hurt 1.1M unemployed Californians
About 1.1 million unemployed Californians will be affected if Congress and President Barack Obama fail to break their political deadlock before the end of the year, state officials said Wednesday. Some jobless residents will begin losing unemployment extensions as early as next month if Congress does not extend benefits, according to the California Employment Development Department. For about 100,000 people who are in their final federal extension known as FED-ED, their benefits will immediately stop after the first week of January.
Associated Press