Attacks on LAPD cops increase by nearly 29%
While no officers in Los Angeles were killed in the line of duty this year, the number of attacks on cops rose sharply despite a historic drop in overall crime, police said. There have been 192 assaults with a deadly weapon on LAPD officers this year as of Dec. 24, up nearly 29 percent from 149 in 2010, according to Cmdr. Andy Smith. Officer-involved shootings in which suspects were hit were also up, from 26 in 2010 to 45 so far this year.
Los Angeles Daily News

Enjoy the new year, stay alive; don't drink and drive... says LAPD Valley Traffic Division
The LAPD wants to remind everybody that drunk driving is dangerous, but it's completely preventable if party-goers use good judgment. They also want to warn drivers that DUI checkpoints will be conducted on December 31st to detect and arrest drunk drivers. Valley Traffic Division Detective William Bustos sends these helpful tips to keep you and your loved ones safe and alive for the coming new year. Or at the least, out of jail on New Year's Eve.
Studio City Patch

Law enforcement authorities cracking down on celebrating with gunfire
Los Angeles police and Sheriff's deputies are renewing their efforts to crack down on indiscriminate gunfire on New Year's Eve, Dec. 31. The Gunfire Reduction Campaign, announced at a press conference, is to advise the community that celebrating the New Year with gunfire will not be tolerated in Los Angeles City and County.
San Fernando Valley Sun

2 arrested as 1 escapes in gang standoff with SWAT in Westlake District
LAPD SWAT officers fired tear gas Wednesday into an apartment in the Westlake district where an armed gang member was thought to be holed up, then stormed in, but their quarry had fled, police said. Three gang members, including one with a handgun, were taunting residents at Emerald Terrace Apartments at 136 S. Virgil Ave. around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday and demanding their money, said Sgt. Cathy Reyes of the Los Angeles Police Department's Olympic Station.
Los Angeles Daily News

Charges in UCLA lab death first of its kind in US
The unusual decision to bring criminal charges against the University of California, Los Angeles following the death of a staff research assistant could bring needed attention to safety issues at campus laboratories, two industry observers said Wednesday. The death of Sheharbano "Sheri" Sangji three years ago has created awareness among universities and colleges about preventing similar incidents by improving safety in academic labs. However, the case my spur officials to re-examine their policies now that they could be charged with a crime.
Associated Press

Crime keeps falling despite a recession - but why?
We've reported that crime continues to fall in the United States. The FBI said it was down for the first six months of the year and the Justice Department said violent crime was down 12 percent in 2010. It's a 20-year trend. One that has continued, despite a recession when people expect crime to pick up. All Things Considered's Robert Siegel spoke to Frank Scafidi, director of public affairs for the National Insurance Crime Bureau and a former FBI agent, to ask him why.
NPR

Police beef up security for Occupy Rose Parade protests
Facing a protest by Occupy demonstrators, Pasadena police will bolster their already robust presence at this year's Rose Parade. Pasadena police and Tournament of Roses officials have been negotiating with Occupy forces for several weeks on a plan that they hope will prevent any disruptions to the Jan. 2 parade. Pasadena officials are allowing the Occupy group to march on the parade route after all the official floats have passed.
Los Angeles Times

Debt-ridden Stockton a battleground for police union, City Hall
The first eyebrow-raising salvo in the fight between the cops and the city of Stockton was the billboards. "Welcome to the 2nd most dangerous city in California: Stop laying off cops!" read one at the city's entrance. Other billboards posted by the Stockton Police Officers' Assn. depicted splattered blood, gave a running tally of the city's record number of homicides - and the city manager's phone number. Since then, the fight moved closer to home: The police union bought the house next to City Manager Bob Deis.
Los Angeles Times

California Supreme Court set to rule on redevelopment money
The California Supreme Court will issue a long-awaited ruling Thursday on the legality of the state's move to grab $1.7 billion in redevelopment money to help close California's budget shortfall -- a move that rocked cities across the state. The ruling, expected at 10 a.m., should give critical guidance on two state laws: one that dissolves redevelopment agencies and redirects their property tax revenues to the state, and a second that allows agencies to stay afloat if they agree to relinquish a large portion of their funding, which will be used to pay for schools.
San Jose Mercury News

More in need as welfare is cut
Advocates of welfare reform in California often cite one eye-popping statistic as they have pressed for cuts and changes to the program in recent years: The state has one-eighth of the nation's population but one-third of all welfare recipients. Yet steps taken in recent years to cut costs and get more recipients back in the workforce have run head-on into the worst economic conditions since the Great Depression.
Associated Press