Law Enforcement

Crime alerts for Winnetka, Sunland and 12 other L.A. neighborhoods
Crime reports are up significantly for the latest week in 14 L.A. neighborhoods, according to an analysis of LAPD data by the Los Angeles Times' Crime L.A. database. Five neighborhoods reported a significant increase in violent crime. Winnetka was the most unusual, recording five reports compared with a weekly average of 2.5 over the last three months. Sunland topped the list of nine neighborhoods with property crime alerts.
Los Angeles Times

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Nearly 160 LAPD jobs could be cut in City Hall plan, chief says
Nearly 160 civilian Los Angeles Police Department employees could be laid off by Jan. 1 in a plan by City Hall to address its budget deficit, according to an internal department website posting obtained by The Times. LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said jobs targeted for elimination under a previous proposal from City Hall are one police administrator III, 10 secretaries, 81 senior clerk typists, 66 clerk typists and a nutritionist.
Los Angeles Times

Driver arrested in Valley Village crash that led to women's electrocutions
The driver who in August slammed into a utility pole and sheared off a fire hydrant in Valley Village creating a pool of electrified water that would kill two would-be rescuers was arrested on Thursday. Armen Samsonian, 19, turned himself in Thursday afternoon and was booked on two felony counts of vehicular manslaughter, said Sandi Gibbons, spokeswoman for the LA County District Attorney. He's being held in lieu of $100,000 bail, according to the county's inmate information website.
NBC4

Five people protesting 'Big Money' arrested outside downtown bank
Five people affiliated with a group that is demanding banks to be transparent about their campaign contributions to the 2012 presidential candidates were arrested Thursday morning during a protest outside a downtown bank branch, Los Angeles police said. The arrests took place about 11:30 a.m. at the Citibank branch at 4th and Flower streets. The protesters were among a group of 30 people who marched from Pershing Square.
Los Angeles Times

L.A. councilman passes DUI test after minor traffic accident
Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar on Thursday night was given a DUI sobriety test, which he passed after he was involved in a minor traffic accident in his district, a spokesman said. The accident was reported about 7 p.m. on East 1st Street near the 101 Freeway in Boyle Heights, the Los Angeles Police Department said. One person at the scene complained of injuries and was examined by paramedics but not taken to a hospital, police said. Police described Huizar as cooperative as he was being tested. He was released afterward.
Los Angeles Times

Catchy robber names grab public's attention, help fight crime
After months of robbing banks across L.A. County, Alan Freibaum was finally caught. The first thing he said to an FBI agent who was getting ready to question him? "That name was horrible." "That name" was the Irreconcilable Differences Bandit, the one assigned to Freibaum when he was just another unidentified serial bank robber. You've probably heard about the Plain Jane Bandit, now suspected to be a 39-year-old Downey woman. You might have missed the Midlife Crisis Bandit or the Cyclops Bandit, both of whom were still at large Friday. These serial bank robbers and hundreds of others have gotten their nicknames thanks to one man: FBI Special Agent Stephen May.
Los Angeles Daily News

Public Safety

Red Flag Warning remains in effect through Saturday afternoon
A Red Flag Warning remains in effect Friday as gusty winds and low humidities plague the Southland. The warning went into effect Thursday and will last through Saturday afternoon for much of Los Angeles, Ventura, RIverside, Orange and San Bernardino counties. A High Wind Warning will remain in effect until Saturday 5 a.m., the National Weather Service said.
CBS LA

Pensions

CalPERS challenges San Bernardino's bankruptcy effort
Facing a direct challenge from a city that won't pay its bills, CalPERS is firing back. CalPERS formally challenged the city of San Bernardino's right to file for bankruptcy protection after the city fell behind on $5.2 million in payments. The powerful pension fund, in a lengthy court filing, suggested that San Bernardino is trying to use the bankruptcy laws to get out of paying its bills.
Sacramento Bee

Forecaster: Ending CalPERS would be costly for Stockton
Struggling through a bankruptcy reorganization, the city of Stockton has slashed its work force - including the ranks of firefighters and police - cut salaries and is in the process of eliminating its retirees' health care benefits. Still, its bondholder creditors and the insurer of its pension bonds have called for the city to also slash pension benefits for current employees. In the latest report from the Business Forecasting Center at University of the Pacific, center Director Jeffrey Michael argues such a move would not reduce Stockton's near-term liabilities because of California Public Employees Retirement System rules.
The Record