Law Enforcement

Crime alerts for Pacoima 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 LAPD data by the Los Angeles Times' Crime L.A. database. Three neighborhoods reported a significant increase in violent crime. Pacoima was the most unusual, recording 12 reports compared with a weekly average of 4.8 over the last three months. Porter Ranch topped the list of seven neighborhoods with property crime alerts.
Los Angeles Times

Crime is up along Tampa Avenue, LAPD reports
For the week of Oct. 16 to 22, there have been eight thefts, three burglaries from motor vehicles and one grand theft autos along the Tampa Avenue corridor between Plummer Street and Roscoe Boulevard. The Northridge Fashion Center has had thefts of property taken from a victim's bag as she used the restroom during mid-afternoon hours.
LAPD Press Release

Reaching out to illegal immigrants a core strategy for LAPD chief
Charlie Beck says his controversial stance is grounded not just in a sense of fairness, but in the practical realities of crime-fighting in heavily Latino L.A. His actions have made him a lightning rod for criticism, even from some of his own police officers. But they have also established Beck as a forceful national voice for a more restrained approach to illegal immigration, a high-profile counterpoint to hard-liners like Sheriff Joseph Arpaio in Arizona's Maricopa County.
Los Angeles Times

Gang member gets life in prison for killing L.A. sheriff's deputy
A gang member pleaded guilty to murder Tuesday in the fatal shooting of an L.A. County sheriff's deputy in 2008 and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Carlos Velasquez, 28, pleaded guilty to murder and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in the Aug. 2, 2008, slaying of Dep. Juan Abel Escalante, right. The plea was accepted by Superior Court Judge Ronald S. Coen.
Los Angeles Times

Woodland Hills: Homeless woman struck, killed by minivan is ID'd
A coroner's official Tuesday released the name of a 66-year-old homeless woman who was fatally struck by a minivan driven by a suspected intoxicated driver in Woodland Hills. Her name was Barbara Nawotka, said Lt. Joe Bale of the Los Angeles County coroner's office. She was hit on Canoga Avenue, north of Arcos Drive near the Woodland Hills Country Club around 5:45 a.m. Monday and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Sgt. Mitzi Fierro, a Los Angeles Police Department spokeswoman.
City News Service

Obama visit to 'Tonight Show' could snarl traffic, LAPD says
Police are urging drivers to avoid streets near Los Angeles International Airport and NBC studios in Burbank beginning Wednesday evening because of a visit by President Obama. Obama is scheduled to make an appearance with Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show" with just two weeks to go before the Nov. 6 election. Drivers are advised to stay clear of the affected areas between 4:24 p.m. and 8:45 p.m., the Los Angeles Police Department said.
Los Angeles Times

Stockton sets new homicide record with string of slayings
Eight people were killed within 51 hours in Stockton this week, pushing the city's annual homicide total past the all-time record. The most recent slayings were an apparent murder-suicide that left three people dead. The deaths raised the number of homicides in the Northern California city this year to 59, up from 58 in 2011, the Record reported. The recent series of killings began when a 38-year-old man was shot and killed outside a McDonald's restaurant Saturday afternoon, the newspaper reported.
Los Angeles Times

Public Safety

L.A. city, county officials seek review of 911 dispatches
Los Angeles city and county lawmakers are calling for reviews of 911 dispatching procedures following a Times investigation that found significant delays in how long it takes rescuers to respond to emergencies near city borders. On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors ordered county fire officials to report back on how their agency works with other departments in the region to dispatch rescuers to emergencies. At the same time, City Councilman Mitchell Englander said he plans to introduce a similar motion at City Hall that calls for examining ways to improve cooperation between the two fire departments.
Los Angeles Times

City Government

L.A. budget chief: 200 jobs need to be cut
The city's top budget chief called Tuesday for chopping more than 200 city jobs, cuts that would largely impact the Los Angeles Police Department and City Attorney's Office. In a financial status report, budget adviser Miguel Santana warned of a $16.6 million deficit in the current fiscal year. While city leaders have dramatically slowed the overall deficit through aggressive cutting, raising city fees, and overhauling collection services, Santana's recommendation for more layoffs underscores the city's continued financial crisis.
Los Angeles Daily News

City Election 2013

Wendy Greuel leads in private poll of mayor's race
Controller Wendy Greuel has a narrow lead among registered voters in the race for L.A. mayor, according to private polling results obtained by the L.A. Weekly. Greuel is out front with 20%, followed by Councilman Eric Garcetti at 16%, Councilwoman Jan Perry at 10% and former radio host Kevin James at 5%. According to the poll, however, Greuel has a much wider lead among the smaller group of voters who are most likely to go to the polls in March.
LA Weekly