Law Enforcement

Suspected gunman, victim found dead in Hollywood home
A gunman and one of his victims were found dead inside the charred remains of a Hollywood house Thursday where three other gunshot victims had been rescued from the burning home by police and firefighters, authorities said. The two bodies were found after the fire was out and authorities were able to search the structure. The three other victims - two women and a man - were found shot at the home when police and firefighters arrived. They were all taken to a hospital in serious condition and expected to survive.
Associated Press

Chief Beck should abandon changing L.A.'s vehicle impound policy
Whether he knows it or not, Charlie Beck has been handed a gift. The Los Angeles police chief has been given a way out of his unwise position on vehicle impounds. Beck hoped this would be the week his proposal to stop the automatic 30-day seizures of unlicensed drivers' vehicles was voted into effect by the L.A. Police Commission. Instead, the week began with news that the state Legislature's legal counsel has questioned the legality of the planned changes. The city attorney has been called in to try to sort things out. Instead of fighting, Beck should cut his losses and drop the whole thing.
Los Angeles Daily News Editorial

Unlicensed driver booked in fatal crash
A 32-year-old woman was killed Friday in a fiery hit-and-run collision in which an unlicensed driver stands accused, prompting an outcry for the review of vehicle impound procedures. California Highway Patrol and Los Angeles Police Department officers responded to the collision, which happened around 3:10 a.m. at Fourth Street and Boyle Avenue, according to the watch commander at the Hollenbeck Police Station. One vehicle caught fire, he said.
Los Angeles Wave

Kidnapped woman dies in crash during LAPD pursuit
The victim of a reported kidnapping was fatally injured Thursday when her sport utility vehicle was involved in a traffic collision in Westlake during a brief pursuit by Los Angeles police, officials said. Patrol officers received a call shortly after 8 a.m. about a kidnapping in progress and spotted a GMC Yukon matching the description of the vehicle involved in the crime being driven by a man near the intersection of 6th Street and Westlake Avenue, according to LAPD Cmdr. Andy Smith.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD's air & car pursuit captures burglary suspect
A ground and air police pursuit, which began in Marquez Knolls Sunday evening, ended with the arrest of a burglary suspect in Santa Monica. At 6:40 p.m., officers at the West L.A. Police Station received a call that three suspects driving a silver Jeep Liberty were breaking into a house at 16500 Via Floresta. An air unit and police cars responded and subsequently gave chase.
Palisadian-Post

Shootout between federal agents kills 1, wounds 1
A confrontation between federal law enforcement agents erupted in gunfire Thursday evening in Long Beach, leaving one dead and another seriously injured, authorities said. The incident was sparked by an unspecified dispute between Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the Glenn M. Anderson Federal Building near the city's oceanfront, according to law enforcement authorities.
Los Angeles Times

Traffic officials following the few checkpoint rules that exist, auditor finds
California traffic safety officials have followed the few rules that exist for overseeing sobriety checkpoints set up by hundreds of police departments, the state auditor reported yesterday. No federal law or state statute governs what happens at the roadway operations, according to the auditor's report. And the California Office of Traffic Safety is not required to closely monitor what happens at checkpoints it funds, which now number more than 2,000 a year.
California Watch

Feds want automakers to disable texts, tweets, phone dialing while car is moving
Federal safety regulators urged automakers Thursday to make cars with hands-off access to Web browsing, texting, phone calls or any navigation fiddling while rolling. But in the Car Buff Capital of the Nation, Los Angeles motorists may balk at any more hands-on interference from Uncle Sam.
Los Angeles Daily News

City Government

Redistricting panel to release new map on Saturday
Ignoring the pleas of the San Fernando Valley and threats by two downtown area council members, the Los Angeles City Council Redistricting Commission began changes to its draft plan for the new 2013 council districts. A new map is scheduled to be released on Saturday showing the most recent changes, but much is still to be decided when the 21-member panel meets again next week. A meeting is being scheduled for Wednesday to further discuss the map.
Los Angeles Daily News

Pensions

With state pension initiatives sidelined, now unions go after local measures
Public employee unions are turning up their offensive to prevent changes to public sector retirement programs. In the wake of proposed state initiatives pulled back by proponents because they say the Attorney General's title and summary did not fairly reflect the measure, a proposed San Diego initiative to reform the city's pension system has suddenly been threatened with a lawsuit to keep it off the ballot.
Fox & Hounds Daily