Law Enforcement

LAPD talks CyberCrime crime prevention
Los Angeles Police Department and Symantec held a conference Monday morning to educate small business owners on how to avoid CyberCrime. "LAPD does not stand alone in CyberCrime, we are part of a federal task force run by the US Secret Service," said Detective Andy Kleinick, who spoke as a representative of LAPD. He also clarified that this LAPD task force has jurisdiction to pursue cases and suspects around the world "as long as there is a nexus to LA."
ATVN

Suspect in series of 'claw hammer' robberies arrested in Hollywood
Police in Hollywood Monday arrested a man suspected of committing a robbery with a claw hammer similar to a series of robberies and a carjacking a week ago attributed to two or three young men, authorities said. The suspect was arrested after a midnight robbery at Lexington and Cherokee Avenues, according to a Los Angeles police sergeant. The suspect -- who is yet to be booked -- used the threat of injury with a hammer in the robbery, the sergeant said.
City News Service

Suspect sought after sexual battery assault on Valley bike path
Police warned the public Monday about a sexual battery suspect in the northwest San Fernando Valley. A 20-year-old white female encountered the suspect while walking on Feb. 21 at approximately 6:55 p.m. on the Victory Blvd. bike path between De Soto Ave and Canoga Ave, according to LAPD Topanga Station.
CBS LA

Boy, 12, admits to 'swatting' Justin Bieber, Ashton Kutcher homes
A 12-year-old who allegedly made prank calls to police sent officers rushing to sites that included the homes of actor Ashton Kutcher and singer Justin Bieber admitted to the allegations in a petition against him in juvenile court, authorities said Monday. The boy, who is not being identified because of his age, was charged by the Los Angeles County district attorney's office in February with four felony counts of making false bomb threats and computer intrusion.
Los Angeles Times

Dorner case: Women shot by cops still don't have truck promised by LAPD
Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck so far hasn't come through on a promise to provide a new truck for two women injured by officers in pursuit of fugitive ex-cop Christopher Dorner, an attorney for the women said Monday. Beck last month pledged to provide the truck to Margie Carranza, 47, and her mother, Emma Hernandez, 71, who were delivering newspapers in Torrance when LAPD officers riddled their blue Toyota Tacoma with bullets.
Los Angeles Times

The Courts

California chief justice says state is 'on the wrong side of history'
California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye implored the Legislature on Monday to better fund the court system, tying the issue to a basic guarantee of justice. In her second State of the Judiciary speech, Cantil-Sakauye spoke repeatedly of the landmark Gideon v. Wainwright case, in which the United States Supreme Court established the right to counsel for defendants who couldn't afford a lawyer.
Sacramento Bee

Prisons

Gov. Jerry Brown says federal prison oversight a waste of money
On the eve of a showdown in federal court over the future of California's prisons, Gov. Jerry Brown is speaking out at length about his view that the state is being forced to waste millions of tax dollars on federal oversight that is no longer necessary. "During the life of these lawsuits, the prison health care budget has gone from $700 million to $2 billion," Brown said in an interview with The Bee, his first on the issue since the state filed court documents in January seeking to regain control of its prisons.
Sacramento Bee

Transit

More people taking public transportation, L.A.'s Metro system leading the way
Record numbers of Americans ditched their own cars and took public transportation in 2012, resulting in the nation's second highest annual ridership since 1957. The American Public Transportation Association said Monday some of the largest increases occurred in Los Angeles, where the popular Expo Line opened last April.
Los Angeles Daily News

City Budget

L.A. to neighborhood councils: Cancel elections or help pay for them
With the failure of Measure A in last week's election, the city's 95 neighborhood councils are being asked to weigh in on a proposal to either cancel their elections next year or pay up to 20 percent of their annual $37,500 budget to cover the costs. Jay Handal, chairman of the Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates, said Monday the proposal is another example of the city's disrespect toward the neighborhood councils and is prompting a consideration of a lawsuit.
Los Angeles Daily News

City Election

Kevin James isn't ready to endorse either Eric Garcetti or Wendy Greuel in L.A. mayor's race
A week after the mayoral primary election, third-place finisher Kevin James has yet to decide who he will endorse in the runoff, and said Monday many of his voters are not happy about either of the two remaining candidates. James, the only Republican among leading candidates, led an anti-City Hall campaign, and the two runoff contenders, City Councilman Eric Garcetti and City Controller Wendy Greuel, are both political insiders.
Los Angeles Daily News