Law Enforcement

Police union decries plan for General Services merger with LAPD
A plan to merge General Services police officers with the Los Angeles Police Department was widely criticized Friday by union representatives, who said it would reduce patrols at city parks and libraries. Half a dozen union leaders representing General Services police officers, librarians and other city employee groups appeared at City Hall to question Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's plan to fold more than 100 officers into the LAPD by July 1.
Los Angeles Daily News

Police arrest seven after brawl outside South LA club
Three arrests quickly turned into seven for LAPD officers outside a South L.A. club early Saturday morning. CBS Los Angeles reports that around 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, police were in the process of taking three women into custody on suspicion of battery when members of a large crowd gathering outside the club allegedly attacked the officers to set the women free. Sergeant Donni Ellison told CBS that dozens of people were reported fighting outside the club, which is located near 75th Street and Western Avenue.
KPCC

Police investigate fatal shooting in Mid-City
Los Angeles police on Sunday investigated the fatal shooting of a man on 18th Street in Mid-City, in which more than a dozen bullets were fired, including some that pierced the front wall of a nearby church. The victim was a man in his 20s. His name was not released because his next of kin had not been notified. Neighbors said the street is usually quiet, but early Sunday morning they awoke to the gunshots about 2:30 a.m.
KTLA

LAPD 'doggy park' is a bright green spot in a concrete world
While the grassy area along 2nd Street between Spring and Main streets has for three years been functioning as a doggy playground for nearby loft dwellers, the one-acre area is technically not a park. "It's an emergency staging area for the Police Department," said LAPD Cmdr. Andy Smith. "But we want to be good neighbors and allow the people near here to use this for their benefit." The Police Department doesn't have the capacity to mow the lawn and water the grass.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD rescuing homeless cats on Skid Row
Dozens of feral cats roaming the streets of Skid Row were in the process of being rescued by off-duty Los Angeles police officers and a volunteer group Saturday. More than 50 cats and kittens are being rounded up to be taken to a no-kill animal shelter in hope that they'll find caring homes. The cats have been fed for years by a church near the intersection of East Seventh and San Julian streets in downtown Los Angeles. But the church has closed and the building's new owner wants the animals gone, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
NBC4

Police departments wait for FAA clearance to fly drones
Police departments across the country have bought inexpensive small drone aircraft with cameras to help track drug dealers, find missing children and locate wandering Alzheimer's patients, but federal rules designed to protect the nation's airspace have kept them grounded. That is about to change in a dramatic way. Under a law President Obama signed in February, the Federal Aviation Administration must write rules by May 14 on how it will license police, fire department and other public safety agencies eager to fly lightweight drones at low altitudes.
Los Angeles Times

Ballot Initiatives

Three strikes reform could save $100 million a year
Voters will have the chance to dramatically remake California's criminal justice system this fall. A ballot initiative to repeal the death penalty in California has already qualified for the November ballot: Instead of death, the convicted would face life terms without the possibility of parole. And last week, supporters of an initiative to reform the Three Strikes law submitted more than 830,000 signatures to the state (they need just 504,760) to qualify for the November ballot.
Orange County Register

City Government

Dire warnings at L.A. City Council budget hearings
Los Angeles faces dire financial consequences unless it figures out a plan to bring in more money, the city's fiscal watchdogs warned City Council members Friday. Painting a bleak picture of city finances, and warning of "dark storms on the horizon," City Administrative Officer Miguel Santana urged the Budget and Finance Committee to consider new revenues, such as new taxes or privatization of assets. "It's about bringing the city back to fiscal responsibility," Santana said.
Los Angeles Daily News