Law Enforcement

Police search for missing Canoga Park man
The Los Angeles Police Department is asking the public's help in finding an 87-year-old man who was last seen at his Canoga Park residence March 4. Richard Dennis Young is a white male standing 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighing about 115 pounds. He has a full gray beard and wears glasses, according to an LAPD alert.
Woodland Hills Patch

Van Nuys burglary suspects caught on camera
Detectives are asking for the public's help Wednesday to identify burglary suspects caught on surveillance video. On February 2, 2013, at about 3:50 p.m., two suspects entered a jewelry store in the area of Coldwater Canyon Ave and Riverside Drive armed with hammers, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Once the suspects entered the business, they started smashing the display cases and removing several watches.
CBS LA

K-9 ‘Lucy'- the LAPD's newest bomb sniffing dog
Members of the William H. Parker LAPD Foundation joined us with K-9 ‘Lucy', a black Labrador-mix and the newest member of the LAPD's Bomb Sniffing Dog unit. The foundation assisted in the purchase of Lucy and officially introduced her Wednesday at the LAPD Academy Athletic Field. The Parker Foundation is dedicated to the professional advancement of the Los Angeles Police Department by providing enhanced opportunities for training, education and equipment for the proud men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department.
KTLA

Public Safety

L.A. Fire Department takes step toward linking 911 system to nearby systems
The Los Angeles Fire Department will upgrade its 911 dispatch center to work with neighboring fire agencies and help ensure the closest available rescuers are sent to victims during life-threatening emergencies, Chief Brian Cummings said Wednesday. A Times analysis of city and county records published in October found that in more than 70,000 emergency medical calls since 2007, the LAFD sent its own rescuers to victims despite the fact that Los Angeles County firehouses were closer to the scene.
Los Angeles Times

"Safety on Sunset" campaign targets reckless driving on iconic roadway
One of the most iconic roadways in America - Sunset Boulevard - is the target of a new campaign to cut reckless driving on its curving pavement. A series of banners has been installed along the street on the westside of Los Angeles, where Sunset Boulevard winds through upscale residential areas between the 405 Freeway and the Pacific Ocean. The "Safety on Sunset" effort is funded by the family of Julia Cukier Siegler, pictured below, who was killed in 2010 at age 13 when crossing Sunset in Brentwood while trying to catch a school bus.
NBC4

Earthquake early-warning system successful during Monday quake
An earthquake early warning system being tested in California gave seismologists in Pasadena up to 30 seconds to prepare for Monday morning's temblor in the desert of Riverside County. "It was right," said Kate Hutton, a seismologist with Caltech. "I sat really still to see if I could feel it and it worked."
Los Angeles Times

Gun Control

Republicans push audit on guns and mental health
State lawmakers Wednesday morning will discuss a Republican request for an audit of databases on mentally ill residents and gun ownership. Severe mental health cases are supposed to be reported to law enforcement so disturbed people can be barred from owning guns. However, some GOP lawmakers are concerned that the information may not be relayed consistently.
Los Angeles Times

Legislation

Bill would allow California bars to stay open until 4 a.m.
Last call could come later in California under a bill that's being proposed at the Capitol. The bill, SB635 by Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, would allow cities and counties to petition the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to allow for alcohol service until 4 a.m., as happens in major cities like New York.
San Francisco Chronicle

Immigration

"Dream Act" workshop set for Thursday in North Hollywood
A workshop titled "Dreams on Wheels" will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday at North Hollywood High for undocumented students interested in applying for a program that would allow them to remain legally in the U.S. Under the federal Deferred Action program, undocumented immigrants who are under age 31 as of June 31 can apply to remain in the country, and receive a work permit and a Social Security number.
Los Angeles Daily News

Prisons

Expert hired to help lower suicide rate in state prisons gives up
The expert hired by a federal court to help California lower its prison suicide rate said in a report Wednesday he's so frustrated he's going to stop trying. In papers filed in federal court, Dr. Raymond Patterson condemned state prison officials for failing to reduce the inmate suicide rate, which he said is getting worse.
KPCC

The Courts

Superior Court facing lawsuit over courtroom closures
Several legal services organizations said they plan to sue the Los Angeles Superior Court today to force it to drop plans to stop hearing eviction cases in dozens of courtrooms, arguing that cost-cutting move would be devastating to poor and disabled tenants trying to save their homes.
Los Angeles Daily News