Law Enforcement

Assaults on police officers continue to rise in 2012
For over a year, we've been calling attention to the disturbing disconnect between declining crime statistics and rising assaults on police officers. Now comes news that these assaults are up dramatically for the first week of 2012. Twelve serious assaults occurred in this year's first week, compared to two during the same week in 2011, and again two in 2010. It's too early to draw any conclusions from these numbers, but it is nevertheless a disturbing trend.
LAPPL Blog

In light of police deaths, training is scrutinized
The recent surge in fatal police shootings is weighing heavily on law enforcement trainers, some of whom are calling for a reassessment of high-risk fugitive and drug raids that have resulted in a number of deadly ambushes. "It's time to change our thinking," says Pat McCarthy, who advises police agencies across the country. "Cops are exposing themselves to increasing danger many times over and it's just not necessary." Harvey Hedden, executive director of the International Law Enforcement Trainers and Educators Association, said the group is urging its 4,000 members to "look at everything" in an effort to avoid potentially dangerous complacency on the streets.
USA Today

How the L.A. arsonist was caught
For a few days over the long New Year's weekend, it looked as though someone was determined to burn down the entire city of Los Angeles, building by building and car by car. And for just as many days, it looked as though he might eventually pull it off, so flummoxed were firefighters and police at the number and apparent randomness of the attacks. For all the resources devoted to the case, for all the high-tech wizardry employed in the effort to identify the arsonist, what finally broke the case was simple, old-fashioned police work combined with a lucky grab from a security camera.
Jack Dunphy/PJ Media

Gang violence declines in areas with community programs
Gang violence continued to decrease for a fourth year in a row in areas where city and community programs such as Summer Night Lights have taken root, officials said Tuesday. Major crimes were down 35 percent in 2011 in the 32 communities where Summer Night Lights is active, which includes six in the San Fernando Valley, according to statistics released by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's Office.
Los Angeles Daily News

LAPD releases photo of vehicle in Sun Valley slaying
Los Angeles police Tuesday night released a photo of a vehicle used by three youths who fled after allegedly killing a man in Sun Valley when he tried to help his grandfather, who was being robbed. Danilo Morales, 24, was fatally wounded Monday night as he chased the men on Coldwater Canyon Avenue after his grandfather called out for help as he stood in his driveway, the Los Angeles Police Department said.
Los Angeles Times

Fines, court time eliminated for tardy, absent students
Fines and court time for tardy students will be eliminated in Los Angeles County, according to new guidelines released by the county's top juvenile court judge earlier this month. Juvenile Court Presiding Judge Michael Nash said in rules released last week that courts will now dismiss tickets in which students have evidence that they were en route or late to school. The guidelines encourage students to develop plans designed to get them back on track in school.
Los Angeles Times

L.A. County youth camps fail to meet U.S.-ordered reforms
The Los Angeles County Probation Department has not fulfilled seven federally ordered reforms at its youth camps. A report released late last week by federal monitors found that the agency still needs to improve staffing levels at some of its 14 camps, improve how it identifies youths who have mental problems and do a better job of evaluating and treating youths with medical problems, among other issues.
Los Angeles Times

City Government

L.A. assesses costs of shuttering redevelopment agency
Los Angeles officials got their first sobering look Tuesday at the costs of dismantling a multibillion-dollar economic development apparatus that they and cities across California have relied on to revitalize neighborhoods for more than half a century. A law eliminating redevelopment agencies statewide could leave the cash-strapped city with more than $109 million in new expenses should the City Council retain the employees and finish the work of its Community Redevelopment Agency, high-level analysts warned.
Los Angeles Times

State Budget

California controller says December revenues missed mark
California missed its December revenue target by $1.4 billion due to weak income tax totals, closing the first half of the fiscal year down $2.5 billion compared to the budget enacted in June, according to state Controller John Chiang. That gap isn't a huge surprise, given that the June budget was overly optimistic. Gov. Jerry Brown said last month that the state budget would fall $2.2 billion short in the current fiscal year, triggering nearly $1 billion in mid-year budget cuts.
Sacramento Bee

Pensions

Backers of Calif. public pension overhaul lag in fundraising effort
The effort to place a public pension overhaul before California voters this November has moved into a new and challenging phase. Backers have reported contributions from but a handful of donors, and on Tuesday bashed Attorney General Kamala Harris for what they said was a "grossly misleading" official description of their measures.
Sacramento Bee