Law Enforcement

Crime alerts for Pacoima and nine other L.A. neighborhoods
Crime reports are up significantly for the latest week in 10 L.A. neighborhoods, according to an analysis of Los Angeles Police Department data by the Los Angeles Times' Crime L.A. database. Two neighborhoods reported a significant increase in violent crime. Pacoima was the most unusual, recording 14 reports compared with a weekly average of 5.0 over the last three months. Lake View Terrace topped the list of eight neighborhoods with property crime alerts.
Los Angeles Times

Two officers are released from hospital after crash in Jefferson Park
Two Los Angeles police officers were released from the hospital after being treated for minor injuries sustained when their patrol car was struck by an unlicensed driver in the Jefferson Park area Friday night, authorities said. The collision occurred about 9:15 p.m. at the intersection of Jefferson Boulevard and McClintock Avenue, authorities said. "The unlicensed driver made an illegal left turn in front of the officers," said Officer Rosario Herrera, a spokeswoman for the department.
Los Angeles Times

Beck's impound policy defies law and logic
LAPD Chief Charlie Beck believes we're too tough on unlicensed drivers. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa thinks we're too tough on unlicensed drivers. Assemblyman Gil Cedillo thinks we're too tough on unlicensed drivers. And on Valentine's Day, we'll find out how the L.A. Police Commission feels about unlicensed drivers. That's the day they'll consider Beck's infuriating and reckless proposal to allow unlicensed drivers to keep the cars they have no legal right to operate.
Doug McIntyre/Los Angeles Daily News

Bel-Air home-invasion robbers steal 2 vintage bikes worth $1.5 million
Two men broke into a Bel-Air home, tied up one person inside and made off with two vintage motorcycles worth $1.5 million, the Los Angeles Police Department said. The home invasion occurred around 4:30 a.m. in the 900 block of Linda Flora Drive in Bel-Air Estates, police said. The two men kicked opened the front door, awakening a couple inside, tying up the husband and ordering his wife to stay in bed, ?police said. The suspects then took off with the two motorcycles, police said. Authorities did not have a description of the suspects.
Los Angeles Times

Homeless man found stabbed to death in Valley storm drain channel
A man who was apparently homeless was found stabbed to death Saturday evening in a San Fernando Valley storm drainage channel, police said Sunday. The man, a Latino believed to be between 25 and 30 years old, had been stabbed in the chest, according to Los Angeles Police Sgt. Trina Bluff of the Van Nuys station. The man was found south of Victory Boulevard, near Ethel Avenue, on the eastern side of the Tujunga Wash.
Los Angeles Times

Body found in trash bin in South L.A.
A body was found in a trash bin Saturday in South Los Angeles, police reported. Los Angeles Police Officer Rosario Herrera said officers were summoned to 66th Street and Halldale Avenue at 9:23 a.m. The site, in the Harvard Park neighborhood, is a block west of Normandie Avenue and six blocks north of Florence Avenue. Investigators were still on the scene Saturday evening, and few details were known, including whether the body was that of a male or female and whether the person was a victim of a homicide.
Los Angeles Times

Prostitution along Lankershim Boulevard in Sun Valley threatens businesses
Businesses along Lankershim Boulevard managed to weather the recession, but another, more insidious problem threatens the stretch of family-owned auto body shops, granite cutters and plumbing stores. Prostitution is on the rise along this commercial corridor, testing the patience of store owners and their customers. Dan Schumacher, owner of the Muds Classic Parts & Restoration, watched last fall as two prostitutes in a fistfight fell into his parked Chrysler car, causing a $1,000 dent in the fender.
Los Angeles Daily News

LAPD to launch investigation into Hamilton High teacher accused of sexual abuse
The Los Angeles Police Department is launching an investigation into allegations that a Hamilton High School music magnet teacher showered naked with students at a local gym, said LAPD Cmdr. Andrew Smith Friday. Smith said the department would conduct a new investigation into Vance Miller, 59, of Los Angeles after KPCC reported that a former student said that when he was a 17-year-old junior, he showered with the teacher and two other students. At least 10 students have alleged sexual abuse by Miller from the mid-1990s through 2010 and one has filed suit against the teacher and the Los Angeles Unified School District, said attorney Anthony De Marco, who represents alleged victims.
Southern California Public Radio

Politics

Rick Caruso changes his party affiliation
Developer Rick Caruso has left the GOP, signaling he is increasingly serious about his potential run for mayor in an overwhelmingly Democratic city. The lifelong Republican switched to decline-to-state in December. "It reflects who I am," Caruso said. "I have supported Democrats and Republicans and I am much more independent-minded. I don't think either party has the right answers. I think that's what a lot of people think in California."
Los Angeles Daily News

Groups surprised Trutanich listed them as endorsers
With the race for district attorney heating up, Los Angeles City Atty. Carmen Trutanich, the obvious front-runner, recently listed key supporters who endorse him, including the Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers Assn., the Los Angeles School Police Assn. and the National Assn. of Prosecuting Attorneys. The problem: It was news to them.
Los Angeles Times