Law Enforcement

Crime alerts for Sun Valley and nine other L.A. neighborhoods
Crime reports are up significantly for the latest week in 10 L.A. neighborhoods, according to an analysis of Los Angeles Police Department data by the Los Angeles Times' Crime L.A. database. Six neighborhoods reported a significant increase in violent crime. Sun Valley was the most unusual, recording 10 reports compared with a weekly average of 3.8 over the last three months. Cheviot Hills topped the list of four neighborhoods with property crime alerts.
Los Angeles Times

FBI: Number of officers slain on duty increased in 2011
Seventy-two law enforcement officers in the U.S. were slain in the line of duty in 2011, an increase of 16 over the previous year, according to an FBI report released Monday. The report does not include reasons for the rise. The statistics collected by the FBI from police agencies across the nation reflects the varied nature of the killings. Fourteen of the victims were slain in unprovoked attacks. Eleven were killed while pursuing or stopping suspect vehicles. Six of the officers died while engaging in tactical operations.
CNN

LAPD's gun buyback collects 1,673 weapons
Calling it a small dent in the city's war on gun violence, Los Angeles officials announced Monday that they collected 1,673 firearms in the fourth annual gun buyback over the weekend. The city had $200,000 in vouchers that Ralphs grocery stores donated for this year's program, in which 791 handguns - including a matching pair of pistols valued at $2,000 - 527 rifles, 302 shotguns and 53 assault weapons were turned in to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Los Angeles Daily News

North Hollywood middle school teacher removed pending LAPD investigation
A teacher was removed from duty at James Madison Middle School in North Hollywood Monday after it was learned the LAPD was investigating him. The school principal sent a letter to parents informing them of the removal pending the results of an investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department. The letter states that per the LAPD, the Los Angeles Unified School District would not release details.
ABC7

The Crown Vic is dead; long live the Crown Vic
In September, the last of the iconic cop cars - a veteran of countless street chases, both actual and theatrical - rolled off Ford's production line in St. Thomas, Ontario. Hundreds of Crown Vics continue to serve and protect throughout Southern California, but it's only a matter of miles before the law enforcement workhorse passes into cop legend.
Los Angeles Times

Ballot Initiatives

California ballot measure on death penalty faces legal challenge
The Sacramento-based Criminal Justice Legal Foundation petitioned the 3rd District Court of Appeals today to remove from the November ballot a proposal to abolish the death penalty in California, arguing it violates the state's "single-subject rule" for initiatives. The foundation said abolishing the death penalty while also authorizing the distribution of $100 million to local law enforcement agencies to help solve murder and rape cases violates a requirement that ballot measures address only one subject.
Sacramento Bee

City Government

LAFD response times can't be trusted, report to mayor says
Emergency response times provided by Los Angeles fire officials to the public and City Hall leaders cannot be trusted because of problems with software used to prepare the numbers, according to a report by an expert assigned to audit the Fire Department's data analysis. The report called on the department to stop using the software until the problem is fixed and recommended an overhaul of the unit that analyzes statistics for Fire Chief Brian Cummings, according to a copy obtained Monday night by The Times.
Los Angeles Times

L.A. to tighten camping ban before City Hall park reopens
In advance of the reopening of the City Hall lawn where Occupy Los Angeles protesters set up their camp last year, officials are seeking a new ban on tents in parks. The City Council will vote Tuesday on an ordinance to prohibit tents as well as sleeping bags, bed rolls and hammocks in scores of parks across the city. The ban is timed to go into effect before crews take down the fence that has surrounded the City Hall lawn for the last six months while it was being rehabilitated.
Los Angeles Times

Legislation

Cell phone penalties would rise under pending bill
The fine for illegally using a cellphone while driving in California would increase from $20 to $30 under a bill approved by the state Senate, although the actual cost would climb to at least $199 for first offenders once court fees are collected. Sen. Joe Simitian, a Democrat from Palo Alto, says California's existing ban on drivers' use of handheld devices would be more effective with a higher penalty. The money would go to driver education programs. With court and other fees, a first offense currently costs at least $159.
Associated Press

State Budget

Gov. Brown: $8B in cuts, tax hikes needed to close $16B budget gap
California Gov. Jerry Brown on Monday proposed more than $8 billion in cuts to close a widening California budget deficit but also said public schools will receive more money if voters approve his tax-hike initiative in November. The governor wants public employees to take a 5 percent pay cut and also seeks cuts to health care and social services. Brown released his revised spending plan for the fiscal year starting July 1, saying the state now faces a $15.7 billion deficit.
Associated Press

California budget cuts: 'All courts are going to feel the pain'
State judicial leaders warned Monday that the proposed cuts for the California courts may jeopardize public access to the justice system. During the last three years, the state's huge court system has been cut by $650 million. The new proposed budget would shrink the system by another $544 million, freezing construction to replace dilapidated courthouses.
Los Angeles Times