Law Enforcement

Crime alerts for Lincoln Heights, Windsor Square and elsewhere
Crime reports are up significantly for the latest week in five L.A. neighborhoods, according to an analysis of LAPD data by the Los Angeles Times' Crime L.A. database. Three neighborhoods reported a significant increase in violent crime. Lincoln Heights was the most unusual, recording seven reports compared with a weekly average of 2.0 over the last three months. Windsor Square topped the list of two neighborhoods with property crime alerts.
Los Angeles Times

Chief Beck's car-impound changes backed by L.A. police commission
The Los Angeles Police Commission on Tuesday voted to support Police Chief Charlie Beck's controversial plan to ease the rules governing the impounding of automobiles belonging to never-licensed drivers, including illegal immigrants. The commission voted 4-1 to support the change after making some last-minute amendments. Current policy, Beck argued, is vague and often results in officers invoking a mandatory 30-day hold, which carries fees that typically exceed $1,200.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD officer injured in scuffle with suspect in Venice
A Los Angeles police officer was injured Tuesday afternoon in a scuffle with a suspect in Venice, prompting officers to swarm the area and cordon off streets after the suspect fled. The incident began about 2:15 p.m. near Rose and 4th avenues, when officers responded to a call about a man possibly in involved in drug-related activity, the Los Angeles Police Department said. A scuffle ensued, and the officer sustained minor cuts and scrapes, LAPD Officer Karen Rayner said. Police cordoned off streets and a helicopter circled overhead.
Los Angeles Times

Internet on cell phones to orchestrate crimes
More than 700 million people use Facebook - among them are some of California's most-hardened prisoners. "For the guys that we catch, it's one of the most popular things they use in here," said Sgt. Anthony Roman of the increasing number of inmates getting caught with cells phones. Under state law, prisoners are forbidden to use mobile phones. CBS2's Jeff Nguyen recently visited the California Rehabilitation Center in Norco and Chino State Prison to see how inmates are accessing the internet and social networking sites from cell phones.
CBS2

Drugged -- not drunk -- driving steadily rising in California
While drunk driving fatalities are on the decline, a state agency this week warned that the number of deadly crashes involving drugged California motorists has been steadily increasing over at least four years. Officials with the California Office of Traffic Safety said 30% of drivers killed in car accidents in 2010 tested positive for legal and/or illegal drugs.
Los Angeles Times

County Jails

Sheriff Baca may outsource inmates, cut sentences to 15 percent in crowded L.A. county jails
With Los Angeles County jails almost at capacity, the Sheriff's Department is considering sending hundreds of inmates to correctional facilities near Bakersfield and allowing misdemeanor offenders to serve only 15 percent of their sentences. Assistant Sheriff Cecil Rhambo told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that the county's jails might be filled up by the time the fiscal year ends June 30.
Los Angeles Daily News

Homeland Security

New rules on when FBI retains custody of detainees
The Obama administration outlined on Tuesday the situations in which the FBI, rather than the military, could be allowed to retain custody of Al Qaeda terrorist suspects who are not U.S. citizens but are arrested by federal law enforcement officers. The new rules issued by the White House resulted from a December compromise in Congress between the administration and a majority of Republicans and some Democrats who wanted a bigger military role and a reduced role for civilian courts in the fight against terrorism.
Associated Press

Legislation

Bill would allow L.A. motorists to park free if meters are broken
Ever wonder if you can park at a broken meter in Los Angeles without getting a ticket? The answer: not really. But that could change with a state bill introduced this week that would allow all California motorists to park for free at broken meters. "When parking meters are broken or a payment center is inoperable, motorists should be allowed to park for the posted time limit without getting a ticket," said state Sen. Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord).
Los Angeles Times

City Government

Herb Wesson sets new hearings on L.A. City Council redistricting
Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson announced Tuesday three public hearings on proposed new council district boundaries, which were approved last week by a 21-member Redistricting Commission. The council's Rules, Elections and Intergovernmental Relations Committee will take up the proposed maps on Friday before holding three hearings next week -- one in San Pedro on Monday, one in Van Nuys on Tuesday and one downtown at City Hall on Wednesday, March 7.
Los Angeles Times

Municipal Budget Crises

Stockton council weighs plan to forestall city's insolvency
The Stockton City Council met until late Tuesday to vote on a contentious proposal that could forestall the port city's slide toward insolvency. Their moods shifting from intense to despondent, residents of the Central Valley city packed the upstairs council chambers, ground floor and outside stairs as members debated the last-ditch effort to avoid becoming California's largest city to file bankruptcy.
Los Angeles Times