Law Enforcement

Residents, police march in Wilmington amid spike in violence
Community members and Los Angeles police have begun marching in Wilmington to take back the streets in the wake of increased violence, including several slayings, in the area. The marches are scheduled through Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and are starting at the Holy Family Church at 1220 Sanford Ave. The idea grew out of a community meeting at the church last week that was attended by more than 300 people, the Los Angeles Police Department said.
Los Angeles Times

Unlicensed driver at wheel in crash that killed 3, authorities say
Three women have died following a car crash in South Los Angeles last week involving an unlicensed driver, authorities said Tuesday. Tenina M. Calhoun of Moreno Valley was driving in the 1400 block of West Florence Avenue with five other women around 2:45 a.m. Friday when she slammed into a tree, critically injuring everyone in the vehicle, five of whom of whom were ejected. Three women died between Friday and Monday from their injuries, Asst. Chief L.A. County Coroner Ed Winter said.
Los Angeles Times

Impounding unlicensed drivers' cars: A matter of life and death
I disagree with how Jim Newton and Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck characterize this issue of impounding unlicensed drivers' cars. It's certainly not a matter of procedure, as Beck asserts, and it's not really a policy either. It's the law. Indeed, when you look at the statistics regarding the death and destruction caused by unlicensed drivers, it is nothing short of criminal negligence to do anything but enforce the law as vigorously as possible.
Don Rosenberg/Los Angeles Times

Proposed changes to impound policy don't conform to the law
The Los Angeles Police Protective League's objections to the latest proposed changes to the LAPD 30-day hold policy are twofold: the Chief's proposal does not conform to state law and unlicensed drivers are unsafe drivers. Unlicensed driving is a crime in California, and Vehicle Code Section 14602.6, which calls for vehicles to be impounded for up to 30 days, is part of the penalty structure the state legislature established for punishment of unlicensed driving.
LAPPL Blog

L.A. County worker arrested in police prostitution sting on Lankershim Boulevard
While on duty and driving a government truck, a Los Angeles County Department of Public Works employee was arrested Thursday during a police sting targeting prostitution along Lankershim Boulevard in Sun Valley. Mitchell Tharp, 49, was arrested for soliciting an act of prostitution, according to Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. Stephen Moore. Tharp was driving a county-owned truck when he was arrested, Moore said.
Los Angeles Daily News

Mom allegedly abandons baby with homeless woman in downtown L.A.
A woman who handed off her baby to a homeless person in a tent in downtown Los Angeles has been arrested, police said. The mom allegedly gave her baby to another woman in a tent at 12:30 a.m. Tuesday near Main and 3rd streets.
Los Angeles Times

Police shootings: Officers' names must be made public, court rules
The names of officers involved in shootings are public information subject to disclosure by law, a California appellate court ruled Tuesday, marking the latest legal opinion in a public records court battle that has embroiled law enforcement and the media. The 2nd District Court of Appeal rejected arguments from the city of Long Beach and its police union that officers' names were protected as investigative and personnel records and because of officers' privacy rights.
Los Angeles Times

Parole

California Gov. Jerry Brown denies parole for 71 murderers
California Gov. Jerry Brown pardoned 21 people in his first year in office and rejected parole for 71 first- and second-degree murderers who had been recommended for release by the parole board. Brown did allow for the early release of just one person, Tung Nguyen of Garden Grove, who was convicted of first-degree murder for his role in a motel-room killing in a dispute over money.
Los Angeles Times

Jerry Brown affirming more releases of killers than Schwarzenegger, Gray Davis
Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown is far more likely to allow the release of paroled killers from prison than either of California's two previous governors, newly released records show. Brown let stand 331 of 405 - roughly 82 percent - of decisions to parole convicted killers by the state Board of Parole Hearings last year, according to an annual report to the Legislature released Tuesday.
Sacramento Bee

City Government

After Occupy L.A., City Hall lawn to get a California makeover
The park surrounding City Hall will soon be getting a California makeover, with less green grass and more native and drought-tolerant plants. The Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday on a plan to restore the park around the building after the sprawling lawn was destroyed last year by the Occupy L.A. encampment.
Los Angeles Times

L.A. council to rename City Hall East after former Mayor James Hahn
Former Mayor James K. Hahn, the only man to hold all three elected citywide offices over a 24-year political career, will be honored with the renaming of City Hall East after him, the City Council voted on Tuesday. The 14-0 vote was based on a motion introduced by Hahn's sister, former Councilwoman Janice Hahn, who now serves in the U.S. Congress.
Torrance Daily Breeze