Law Enforcement

Crime alerts for Lincoln Heights 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. Seven neighborhoods reported a significant increase in violent crime. Lincoln Heights was the most unusual, recording eight reports compared with a weekly average of 1.9 over the last three months. Cheviot Hills topped the list of three neighborhoods with property crime alerts.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD unveils surveillance cameras in west San Fernando Valley
Sixteen new eyes are watching for crime in the west San Fernando Valley in the form of mobile cameras. The 16 wireless cameras with the ability to be redeployed depending on crime trends will help identify criminals, said Jessica Tarman Nassour, spokeswoman for Los Angeles City Councilman Dennis Zine. The cameras can provide facial recognition at distances of up to 600 feet and are currently up and running.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD investigating drive-by shooting that killed woman in South LA
Police Thursday were investigating the murder of a woman who was killed in a drive-by shooting. LaDawn Bell, 45, was fatally shot around 7:15 p.m. Wednesday in the 1700 block of West 35th Place, the Los Angeles Police Department said. "She was a beautiful person," Dionne Bell said of her sister. "It's not right. She didn't do nothing to nobody." Bell, who was on her way to pick up a family member, was walking up stairs to the home when she was shot in the head. She was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
CBS2

Amid rising crime, LAPD overhauls skid row unit
In the city of Los Angeles, 2012 marked the 10th consecutive year of falling crime, with annual incidents dropping by 2%, according to recent LAPD statistics. Zoom in on the Central City, however, and the numbers tell a different story. Last year, part one crimes - a category that includes all violent crimes and serious property-related offenses - jumped 12% compared to 2011 in Central Division, which covers most of Downtown. Violent offenses alone increased 5%. About half of Central's crime occurred in the square-mile area of Skid Row.
Los Angeles Downtown News

Suspect in Hollywood nightclub slaying arrested in Las Vegas
Police arrested a man suspected of fatally shooting another man during a brawl outside a popular Hollywood nightclub, authorities said Wednesday. The suspect, who was not immediately identified, was taken into custody at a residence in the Las Vegas area Tuesday evening, according to multiple law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation. Officers were called about 2 a.m. Sunday to the Empire Club on Cahuenga Boulevard, north of Hollywood Boulevard, authorities said.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD busts $3-million pot grow near Sonia Sotomayor School
The Northeast division of the Los Angeles Police Department busted a major marijuana growing operation Wednesday estimated to be worth some $3 million. The marijuana was being grown in a warehouse at 1844 Cypress Ave. in Glassell Park, two blocks from Sonia Sotomayor High School on 2050 N. San Fernando Road, Capt. Bill Murphy, the commanding officer of the Northeast community station, told Patch Thursday.
Eagle Rock Patch

An LAPD officer's 'personal connection' with Eagle Rock comes to an end
In the eight years that Craig Orange has patrolled the streets of Eagle Rock, scores of residents have become familiar with the tall, muscular and ever-cheerful man from Pasadena who is something of a fixture in the Eagle Rock community. Friday, Jan. 25, will be the last day that "Officer Orange," as he is fondly called, will spend in Eagle Rock as senior lead officer. As part of a reshuffle of senior lead officers across the LAPD's Northeast Division, he will be working in East Hollywood, starting Jan. 29. Orange is scheduled to be replaced by Senior Lead Officer Nina Preciado from Highland Park.
Eagle Rock Patch

City Elections 2013

LAPPL endorses four city council candidates
On Thursday, the Los Angeles Police Protective League announced its endorsement of the next four candidates for Los Angeles City Council. After a formal and standardized process, which included questionnaires and interviews by the Delegate Political Action Committee and with the committee's unanimous recommendation, the Board of Directors made its formal endorsement of its next four endorsed and supported candidates. The LAPPL joins a growing list of public officials and community leaders endorsing State Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield for Council District 3, Councilmember Paul Koretz for re-election in Council District 5, Former State Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes for Council District 7 and community leader and grassroots activist Mike Bonin for Council District 11.
LAPPL News Release

LAPD union decides to sit out the city attorney race ... for now
The powerful union that represents rank-and-file Los Angeles police officers has declined to endorse a candidate in the race for city attorney during the primary election. "We are not getting in yet," said Tyler Izen, president of the Los Angeles Police Protective League. "We will probably stay out until the general election." The decision may most affect Greg Smith, an attorney who often represents police officers in claims against the city.
Southern California Public Radio

L.A. mayoral candidates won't sign Eric Garcetti's campaign financing pledge
The three top rivals facing Eric Garcetti in the Los Angeles mayor's race said Thursday they won't sign a pledge to forgo the use of outside funds for their campaigns. City Councilman Garcetti launched the People's Pledge on Thursday, a challenge to City Controller Wendy Greuel, City Councilwoman Jan Perry, and attorney Kevin James. The pledge asks candidates to donate 50 percent of the money used on their behalf by outside groups.
Los Angeles Daily News