Law Enforcement

Crime alerts for Pacoima, Glassell Park and five other L.A. neighborhoods
Crime reports are up significantly for the latest week in seven L.A. neighborhoods, according to an analysis of LAPD data by the Los Angeles Times' Crime L.A. database. One neighborhood reported a significant increase in violent crime. Pacoima recorded 10 reports compared with a weekly average of 6.2 over the last three months. Glassell Park topped the list of six neighborhoods with property crime alerts.
Los Angeles Times

Law enforcement fatalities decrease 44% in the first half of 2012, reaching a 52-year low
In a reversal of recent trends and positive news for the law enforcement community, law enforcement fatalities declined significantly nationwide during the first half of 2012, reaching a 52-year low. Fifty-three law enforcement officers died in the line of duty during the first six months of this year, according to preliminary figures released today by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), in conjunction with the Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.). This represents a 44 percent decrease over the 94 officers who lost their lives during the same time last year. Officer fatalities decreased across all circumstances yet peace officer ambushes remain the leading circumstance of fatal shootings.
NLEOMF Press Release

LAPD foils downtown jewelry store robbery, officials say
Five people were arrested Wednesday on suspicion of conspiracy after LAPD officers foiled the planned robbery of a downtown jewelry store, police officials say. The alleged would-be robbers, who were not immediately identified but all had Colorado identification and a history of drug arrests, were overheard by a security guard discussing plans to rob a jewelry store at 7th Street and Broadway, in the heart of the Jewelry District, LAPD Capt. Horace Frank said. The guard called police with a description of two suspicious vehicles.
Los Angeles Times

Venice Neighborhood Council votes on LAPD enforcement of homeless laws
The Venice Neighborhood Council held a board meeting Tuesday night that stretched for nearly 4 1/2 hours and featured a spirited debate on a motion concerning police enforcement of laws involving the homeless. The board discussed the matter for about 90 minutes and heard from numerous speakers opposed to the motion that called for the Los Angeles Police Department to consistently enforce laws against obstructing public streets, camping overnight on sidewalks and leaving personal property on public property.
Venice-Mar Vista Patch

Missing San Fernando Valley woman found, LAPD reports
A 42-year-old San Fernando Valley woman who suffers from depression and had been reported missing has been found, authorities said today. Denise Yomara Garzon left her home in the 14600 block of Roscoe Boulevard last Friday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Police and family members sought public help to find her, and she was located at a hospital, the LAPD reported today. No other details of her disappearance were released.
City News Service

LAPD Olympic station evacuated after suspicious suitcase is found
A bomb squad has been dispatched to the Los Angeles Police Department's Olympic station after a unattended suitcase was found in the lobby area. The station was evacuated as a precaution after the suitcase was found about 4:40 p.m., the LAPD said. The station, at 1130 S. Vermont Ave., announced on Twitter that it was closed due to a "police investigation."
Los Angeles Times

Justin Bieber chase: Prosecutors may test new anti-paparazzi law
The Los Angeles city attorney's office is considering filing the first case under an anti-paparazzi law against a photographer who pursued Justin Bieber during a high-speed freeway chase. The law cracks down on photographers who drive recklessly in pursuit of celebrities or block sidewalks and create the sense of "false imprisonment." City Atty. Carmen Trutanich helped craft the 2010 law, which was sponsored by Assemblywoman Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) and imposes stiff penalties - including possible jail time - for photographers who cross the line, said Deputy Chief City Atty. Bill Carter.
Los Angeles Times

Alleged window-smashing broker may be suspect in 70 more cases
The unlikely suspect in a string of window breakings in Beverly Hills -- a 58-year-old Encino investment adviser -- may be connected to 70 additional cases in the area, authorities said. Michael Steven Poret, a broker at UBS Financial Services, was arrested in Encino last week. Police say that Poret vandalized numerous businesses along Ventura Boulevard and several private homes in Beverly Hills.
Los Angeles Times

Dramatic photos, dispatch recordings released from officer-involved shooting
The California Highway Patrol released dramatic photos and chilling dispatch recordings from the shooting along Highway 178 back in May that left a CHP officer wounded. This is the transcript of the dispatcher recordings with Officer Ryan Bunting: "I've been shot twice... Suspect vehicle, blue Yukon with 24-inch wheels, bullet holes on the driver's side with a blown out window on the driver's side. Passenger in the back wearing a tank top, shot....The shooter was in the driver's side back seat, wearing a wife-beater t-shirt and I'm pretty sure I hit him a couple of times. My vehicle is out of commission with a flat tire. Tell other units to slow down, my wounds are not life threatening."
KGET News

Letters to the Editor: A police officer responds to a nurse
I read with great interest the nurse's recent letter about police officers dealing with the mentally ill. It appears Ms. Kinder had a bad episode with the Sheriff's Department. I am not a spokesman for that or any other law-enforcement agency. At times I have also had bad contacts with some agencies. After 30 years as a police officer I would like to give my view. When I responded to a call that may involve public contact, the people I met already know all they need to know about me - I am a police officer, I am there to make someone at the location unhappy and I have at least one deadly weapon on my person.
San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Ballot Measure

Battle lines drawn over payroll deductions
A fall statewide ballot measure to limit the political power of public-sector unions is a burgeoning battle between business and labor. Proposition 32 so far has been overshadowed by proposed tax increases and a bid to do away with the death penalty. But it may be one of the most intense campaigns come fall. At the center of the dispute is a provision to prohibit payroll deductions that would be used for political purposes.
San Diego Union-Tribune