Law Enforcement

Crime alerts for Glassell Park and 10 other L.A. neighborhoods
Crime reports are up significantly for the latest week in 11 L.A. neighborhoods, according to an analysis of LAPD data by the Los Angeles Times' Crime L.A. database. Seven neighborhoods reported a significant increase in violent crime. Glassell Park was the most unusual, recording five reports compared with a weekly average of 0.7 over the last three months. Westlake topped the list of four neighborhoods with property crime alerts.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD chief's controversial impound policy to start in 3 weeks
Despite opposition and legal questions, a policy initiated by Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck that allows some unlicensed drivers to avoid a 30-day impound of their cars is expected to roll out in three weeks. Beck reiterated the terms of the policy during an editorial board meeting Monday with the Daily News, a sister paper of the Daily Breeze. Beck was hoping to clarify what he said has been unfair criticism of the program, as well as questions surrounding his motivation to focus on car impounds.
Los Angeles Daily News

North Hollywood man among 3,000 arrested in nationwide sweep for criminal illegal immigrants
Immigration agents arrested more than 3,000 criminal aliens and immigration fugitives - including a 42-year-old Salvadoran with an arson conviction in North Hollywood - during a nationwide sweep last week. Led by U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement, Operation "Cross Check" netted about 2,800 people convicted of such crimes as murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, armed robbery, terroristic threats, drug trafficking, child abuse and sex crimes. Los Angeles County accounted for the largest number of arrests, with 124.
Los Angeles Daily News

LAPD, CHP crack down on distracted driving
You may want to think twice this month before texting while driving, or even eating or putting on makeup. The Los Angeles Police Department and California Highway Patrol are boosting up enforcement of unfocused drivers as part of the second annual National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. LAPD and CHP forces have been directed to impose a "zero-tolerance" policy toward drivers they consider to be driving unsafely as a result from multitasking while behind the wheel.
NBC4

Safe with $10 million worth of goods stolen in residential burglary
Police are seeking suspects in a residential burglary who stole a safe in March believed to be holding valuables worth about $10 million. LAPD Burglary Special Section Safe Detail detectives are looking for the public's help in identifying suspects in the case. LAPD officers responded when a home security alarm was activated at 8:20 p.m. on Friday, March 16. A neighbor had also reportedly heard noise coming from the residence at the time, located on the 200 block of S. Highland Ave.
ABC7

Rhode Island law enforcement agencies to get almost half of $500 million Google forfeiture
Rhode Island law enforcement agencies that participated in an investigation that resulted in Google forfeiting $500 million last year will receive $230 million of that money, federal officials said Monday. Google forfeited the sum last August to settle a U.S. government investigation into its distribution of online ads from Canadian pharmacies illegally selling prescription drugs to American consumers. The investigation found that Google allowed Canadian pharmacies that illegally imported drugs into the United States to advertise on its AdWords platform.
Associated Press

U.S. Supreme Court

Supreme Court upholds jail strip searches, including for minor offenses
The Supreme Court ruled Monday that those arrested for even minor violations may be strip-searched before being admitted to jail, saying safety concerns outweigh personal privacy rights. The court's conservatives ruled against a New Jersey man who was strip-searched after being mistakenly arrested on an outstanding warrant.
Washington Post

Early Prisoner Release

Plan for supervision of released prisoners off to a rough start
A sweeping plan to make local officials responsible for supervising thousands of released prisoners previously monitored by the state has gotten off to a bumpy start in Los Angeles County. Many of the ex-criminals are not showing up for counseling appointments, some care centers are not being paid and county bureaucrats are scrambling to correct foul-ups that have caused delays.
Los Angeles Times

City Government

Mayor Villaraigosa defends L.A. anti-gang program
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa took issue Monday with a study that said there was no evidence a multimillion-dollar anti-gang program had reduced crime, telling a youth violence summit in Washington that Los Angeles is safer than any time since the 1950s. "Not since I was born has L.A. been this safe," Villaraigosa said. Representatives of six cities - Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Memphis, San Jose and Salinas - that form the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention are meeting in Washington this week to share their experiences.
Los Angeles Times