Law Enforcement

Despite weak economy, crime in Los Angeles County still declines
Even since the economy began stalling several years ago, there have been dire warnings that crime would rise. But in Southern California, crime continues its long decline despite the weak economy. Indeed, 2011 brought new worries about a "double dip recession," yet streets in many parts of the region were the safest they've been in decades. The trend continues to puzzle some criminologists but has reinforced the view of many in law enforcement that factors other than the economy determine the rise or fall of crime. Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck said crime rates are determined largely by how well police do their job and the "informal social standards" set by communities — that is, what kind of behavior people are willing to tolerate from others.
Los Angeles Times

Suspect in parole agent shooting involved in 2002 SWAT standoff
A parolee apprehended Wednesday night on suspicion of shooting a parole officer after an hours-long manhunt was involved in a standoff with SWAT officers in the same general area in 2002, law enforcement authorities told The Times. Steven Hoff, 45, is suspected of seriously wounding the parole officer in an afternoon shooting in Lake View Terrace that sparked a massive dragnet and forced officials to close part of the busy 210 Freeway and lock down two schools, authorities said.
Los Angeles Times

Suspect faces life term in arson rampage
Hollywood arson suspect Harry Burkhart terrorized Los Angeles residents with a four-day rampage over New Year's weekend because he was "motivated by his rage against Americans," prosecutors alleged in court papers filed Wednesday. Burkhart appeared in court briefly to be arraigned on 37 felony counts of arson that could send him to prison for life. He looked disheveled and distracted as jail authorities have him under suicide watch.
Los Angeles Times

2 wounded on Venice Boardwalk in suspected gang shooting
Two people were wounded on the Venice Boardwalk in an apparent gang-related attack that rocked the popular destination with multiple gunshots, police said Wednesday night. The shooting at Ocean Walk Front and Market Street occurred shortly before 6:30 p.m., the Los Angeles Police Department said. Crowds of people had flocked to the beach and boardwalk Wednesday amid unseasonable warm weather.
Los Angeles Times

Officer shoots man in North Hollywood
A Los Angeles police officer apparently shot and critically wounded a man in North Hollywood on Wednesday. The shooting in an apartment in the 5200 block of Colfax Avenue occurred about 1:45 p.m., a police spokesman in downtown Los Angeles said. The wounded man was said to be hospitalized in critical condition.
Los Angeles Daily News

Prank call sends police to downtown high school
A prank call about gunmen at a Los Angeles high school sent police to the campus Wednesday morning, authorities said. The Los Angeles Police Department responded to an emergency call at Animo Jackie Robinson High School at 10:40 a.m. reporting three teenagers armed with handguns, Officer Larry Park said. The caller provided no other information in the brief exchange before hanging up. Witnesses said more than a dozen police officers arrived at the charter school dressed in riot gear and carrying assault rifles. Overhead, a helicopter circled the scene.
Los Angeles Times

Park ranger's death highlights the risks in federal law enforcement
In a stark reminder of how dangerous working for Uncle Sam can be, 13 federal law enforcement officers died in 2011. Then the new year began with the murder of an officer in an otherwise peaceful park. Margaret Anderson, a ranger with the National Park Service, was gunned down in Washington state's Mount Rainier National Park on New Year's Day. The day before, John Capano, an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent, was killed in Seaford, N.Y., as he tried to stop a pharmacy thief.
Washington Post

Immigration

Border agency seeks more unmanned aircraft use in Calif.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials are looking to expand the use of remotely piloted surveillance aircraft to cover nearly all of California, allowing the unmanned vehicles to fly over the last major section of the Southwest border. The agency's Office of Air and Marine expects the Federal Aviation Administration this year to permit it to extend its unmanned aircraft operations into airspace just east of the San Diego metropolitan area, border agency spokeswoman Gina Gray said.
California Watch

Healthcare

Survey shows California healthcare costs rising, benefits shrinking
Fewer California companies offered their workers health insurance last year, and the ones that did charged employees more for their coverage. That's among the findings of an annual California Employer Health Benefits Survey released Wednesday by the California HealthCare Foundation, a research and grant-making nonprofit organization. According to the survey, premiums for employer health insurance plans have risen 153.5% since 2002, a rate that's more than five times the increase in California's inflation rate.
Los Angeles Times

City Government

L.A. City Council redistricting panel urged to create a sixth Valley district, unite Koreatown
The City Council's Redistricting Commission is being urged to create a sixth council district in the San Fernando Valley, a single council district that includes all of Koreatown, to reduce the number of districts that span the Santa Monica Mountains and make sure Little Tokyo's council district remains intact. After 10 of 15 scheduled public hearings across the city, commission board members said public input has been vigorous and passionate, but conflicting desires also pose a challenge to drafting district boundaries which the commission hopes to recommend to the City Council by Feb. 22.
Los Angeles Daily News