Law Enforcement

LAPD promises 'zero tolerance' to anyone committing a crime at Kings' victory parade
Thousands of people are expected to attend the sold out L.A. Kings celebratory parade Thursday in Downtown. LAPD wouldn't release an exact amount of officers that will be on hand for the parade, but said there would be a sufficient amount to handle the crowds estimated in the thousands. "There's going to be zero tolerance to anyone committing a crime," officer Rosario Herrera said. "If you commit a crime, you will be arrested."
Blogdowntown

Free Kings rally tickets being resold for $80, $150 and higher
The L.A. Kings made 18,000 free tickets to the team's Stanley Cup victory rally available online Tuesday evening. They were gone faster than a slap shot. And if you weren't among the lucky fans who nailed gratis tickets to today's Staples Center event, by Wednesday you were looking at paying up to $80 each on some sites or bidding as high as $599 for a set of four on eBay. A Los Angeles Police Department spokesman explained that reselling tickets by anyone other than an authorized broker was a misdemeanor violation of municipal code 4203, and selling fake tickets is a felony.
Los Angeles Daily News

Judge reaffirms ruling allowing LAPD to obtain tapes of Manson family disciple and attorney
A Texas judge has rejected an imprisoned Manson family member's motion to prevent the Los Angeles Police Department from taking possession of tapes of decades-old conversations between him and his trial lawyer. Federal bankruptcy Judge Brenda T. Rhoades ruled Wednesday that Charles "Tex" Watson failed to show why she should overturn the order allowing the LAPD to obtain the tapes.
Associated Press

Body found in Fairfax District SUV identified, person of interest named
A body found decomposing in an SUV parking in the Fairfax district Saturday was identified Wednesday as that of 33-year-old Steven John Simmons, of Running Springs, according to LAPD and coroner's officials. Police have not determined a motive for what police are investigating a murder, but are looking to speak with a person of interest they identified as Jacob Anthonisen. The nature of the pair's relationship was not immediately clear.
NBC4

California urged to do more to help sexually exploited minors
California has pioneered legislation to prevent sexual exploitation of minors but a new report urges the state to go even further to help victims, including the clearing of records for young people convicted of prostitution. The California Homeless Youth Project said California is among the states with the best records for adopting measures to address trafficking of minors."
Los Angeles Times

Traffic

New traffic data system to help ease gridlock in L.A. County a step closer, say officials
A new data-sharing system that will bring traffic coordination to cities and unincorporated areas in Los Angeles County is a step closer to becoming a reality, officials said today. The county public works department announced the completion of its Information Exchange Network that will share traffic signal data across jurisdictions. The new system will display freeway traffic conditions in real time at the department's Traffic Management Center in Alhambra, a first step toward synchronizing traffic signals and other responses to ease multi-area gridlock, officials said.
Los Angeles Daily News

Prisons

California's prison population eclipsed by Texas
Everything is bigger in Texas, the saying goes, and that is now also true of its prison system. California used to have the nation's largest state prison system, topping 173,000 inmates at its peak in 2006. But since a law took effect last year that shifts responsibility for less serious criminals to county jails, the state has reduced its prison population and is no longer the largest in the nation.
Associated Press

City Government

Council approves plan charging banks an inspection fee for distressed properties
The City Council approved a plan Wednesday to charge banks an inspection fee for distressed properties despite questions about how the new program will be implemented by the Department of Building and Safety. Under the ordinance, modeled after a similar program in Oakland, lenders will be charged a fee when filing a notice of default on a home. The fee will be used to fund the salaries of new Department of Building and Safety inspectors, who will be tasked with making sure the empty homes don't become nuisances or contribute to the blight in neighborhoods.
Los Angeles Daily News

City Council OKs voting maps; Koreatown activists threaten to sue
The Los Angeles City Council gave preliminary approval Wednesday to a new set of boundaries for its 15 voting districts, setting the stage for a legal battle with Koreatown activists and possibly two of its own members. On a 12 to 2 vote, the council cast the first of two votes needed to establish the new maps, despite objections of council members Jan Perry and Bernard C. Parks, who alleged that last-minute changes had been made to the boundaries without proper council review.
Los Angeles Times

Health Care

CalPERS hike sets off alarm
When the nation's second largest purchaser of health care gets socked with a big rate hike, lots of people pay the price. CalPERS' governing board approved an average 9.5 percent increase in premiums Wednesday, a move that will hurt taxpayers and public employees statewide. Given CalPERS' size and influence, it could affect health care premiums in the private sector, too.
Sacramento Bee