Law Enforcement

Crime alerts for Toluca Lake 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. Five neighborhoods reported a significant increase in violent crime. Toluca Lake was the most unusual, recording three reports compared with a weekly average of 0.3 over the last three months. Studio City topped the list of eight neighborhoods with property crime alerts.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD reviews videotapes in USC grad student slayings
Los Angeles police detectives are reviewing video surveillance tapes hoping to find clues to the shooting deaths of two USC graduate students early Wednesday. Some witnesses heard the gunshots, but because it was raining at the time few people were on the street, said LAPD Det. Sal LaBarbera. Detectives hope the video from stationary security cameras placed in the area by the LAPD might offer more clues, but it's unclear if it shows the suspect.
Los Angeles Times

Man killed by police on freeway claimed gun but didn't have one
The man fatally shot by Los Angeles police at the end of a televised pursuit on the 101 Freeway told a 911 dispatcher that he was armed and ready to use his weapon, police officials said. Despite those claims, police said that they did not recover a gun from the scene. The pursuit began about 9:45 p.m. near Plummer Street and Shirley Avenue in Woodland Hills after 19-year-old Abdul Arian refused to pull over when police tried to stop him for erratic driving.
Los Angeles Times

5 New Hampshire police officers shot; chief is dead
Five police officers in New Hampshire were shot as they tried to serve a search warrant in a drug investigation Thursday night, and local media reported that one of them, the Greenland police chief, had died from a bullet to the head. Officers may have interrupted a drug deal at the house, the Union Leader of Manchester reported. Early Friday, state Atty. Gen. Michael Delaney confirmed that Chief Michael Maloney had been killed, the Associated Press reported.
Chicago Tribune

Police impersonator robbery suspect may have more victims
A man who allegedly committed at least seven armed robberies while impersonating a police officer is behind bars. The Los Angeles Police Department released a picture of the suspect, 42-year-old George Turegano of Fontana, because there may be more victims. Beginning in September 2009, authorities say Turegano would walk or drive up to his victims in street clothes, wearing a badge around his neck and identifying himself as an officer.
ABC7

Police skeptical that cyclist was injured in road rage incident
Los Angeles police said Thursday that "the facts do not tend to support" reports from the bicycling community that a cyclist was the victim of a downtown road rage attack. The case has ignited anger among cyclists who took to the blogosphere early this week after they say Susanna Schick, 42, of Los Angeles was chased down and struck Friday night by a driver in a white Lexus.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD has new policy on transgender stops, searches
Los Angeles police officials are announcing a new stop and search policy for officers who may encounter transgender individuals. In a memo to officers, Chief Charlie Beck says the department's aim with the new procedure is to create mutual understanding and prevent discrimination during police activities.
Associated Press

City & County Government

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum audit faults 'trust me' management
A loose "trust me" style of management at the Los Angeles Coliseum resulted in the loss of millions of dollars over the past several years and has resulted in the conviction of one official and charges against five others, according to an audit from City Controller Wendy Greuel. The audit alleged problems that included advance payments of $870,000 made to companies in South America for events never held; $75,000 in bonuses paid to Coliseum employees; $950,000 in untracked cash advances and $4.8 million for janitorial and security services paid without a contract.
Los Angeles Daily News

L.A. County budget expected to avoid service cuts, layoffs
Los Angeles County supervisors will consider a proposed $23.8-billion budget next week that will not include any "dramatic" cuts to public services, furloughs or layoffs, officials announced Thursday. The county is facing a nearly $76-million shortfall, but the proposed budget does not require cuts by county departments for the first time in four years, according to a news release. The deficit will be resolved through "a number of solutions," according to the release.
Los Angeles Times