Law Enforcement

Driver in crash that killed USC student to be arrested
The driver of a Ford Explorer involved in a collision that killed a USC honors student will be arrested on suspicion of drunk driving when she is released from the hospital, a Los Angeles Police Department detective said Monday. The woman, in her 20s, whose name was not released, was driving an Explorer that smashed into the right side of a Ford Mustang carrying Xinhai Huang, 22, about 3:30 a.m. Sunday, killing him, police said.
Los Angeles Times

20 reputed gang members accused of extorting food trucks
At least 20 reputed members of one of Los Angeles' most notorious gangs have been indicted in connection with a violent extortion racket that targeted food-truck operators in the Hollywood area over at least five years, according to state grand jury records unsealed Monday in a downtown courtroom. The 20 defendants - including four women - named in indictments returned Jan. 28 are allegedly tied to Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13. The individuals, charged with extortion and conspiracy to commit extortion, are all being held on bail ranging from $2 million to just more than $3 million.
Los Angeles Times

Volunteers needed to give LAPD Pacific Station a facelift
The Venice Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring an LAPD Pacific Station "Beautification Day" to help the police department with basic building maintenance. Work will include replacing shelving, lighting, fans and painting. The chamber is asking the community to lend a hand on April 6 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the LAPD Pacific St, located at 12312 Culver Blvd.
Venice Mar-Vista Patch

CD 14 to host meet and greet with new LAPD Northeast Captain
Council District 14 will host a farewell party for former LAPD Northeast Division Captain William Murphy on Tuesday, March 19 at the home of Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council President Michael Nogueira at 2154 Hill Drive. Murphy served as Northeast's captain for five years before leaving for a post as commander at LAPD Headquarters. He was replaced by Captain Jeff Bert, who will also be on hand Tuesday to meet residents.
Eagle Rock Patch

Carmen Trutanich delivers check to newspaper carriers shot at in Torrance during Dorner search
The city of Los Angeles has delivered a $40,000 check to an attorney for two newspaper carriers whose truck was shot up in Torrance by LAPD officers who mistakenly believed fugitive cop-killer Christopher Dorner was inside, officials said Monday. City Attorney Carmen Trutanich announced Monday that his office had delivered the tax-free check to cover the cost of their bullet-riddled Toyota Tacoma.
Los Angeles Daily News

Public Safety

Mother of teen killed at park seeks $35 million from Los Angeles
The mother of a youth volunteer who was fatally shot at Harvard Park in South Los Angeles has filed a claim for damages against the city totaling $35 million. The claim cites the city's failure to install security cameras and other safety measures in the park, which is a known gang hangout, as resulting in the death of the teen. Patrick Caruthers, 19, was sitting on a park bench last fall listening to music before the start of his volunteer shift when he was gunned down by an unknown assailant.
Los Angeles Times

Dodger Stadium could have ambulance service from city of Los Angeles
At a time when the Los Angeles Fire Department is cutting back services and has been criticized for slow response times, it is negotiating an agreement to replace a private firm to provide ambulance services for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The United Firefighters of Los Angeles City announced on its website that is has signed off on a letter of agreement for the plan to provide payment of overtime for staffing of two ALS rescue ambulances, one BLS rescue ambulance and a fire captain to oversee the crews.
Los Angeles Daily News

Prisons

Los Angeles County has new jails chief
Los Angeles County has a new assistant sheriff for custody, six months after a blue-ribbon commission recommended creating the position to help eradicate what it described as a culture of brutality in the county jail system. Sheriff Lee Baca introduced Terri McDonald to the public in a news conference Monday, her first day on the job, describing her as a "consummate professional" and a "great humanitarian" with the "expansive experience" needed to supervise the nation's largest jail system holding 19,000 inmates.
Los Angeles Daily News

City Elections

Greuel pushes to reopen talks on pension benefit reductions
Los Angeles mayoral candidate Wendy Greuel is pushing to reopen talks with the city's employee unions over a recent decision to reduce public employee pension benefits, sparking alarm from some at City Hall. Looking to differentiate herself from City Councilman Eric Garcetti on labor issues, the city controller has asserted for months that Los Angeles leaders failed to properly negotiate with its unions before hiking the retirement age and rolling back pension benefits for newly hired civilian city workers.
Los Angeles Times

Police union endorses Nury Martinez for City Council
The union representing about 9,800 Los Angeles police officers on Monday endorsed Nury Martinez in the race to fill the San Fernando Valley-based City Council seat left open by Tony Cardenas' election to Congress. "We are proud to stand with Nury, because we know that she will work to fully fund public safety, give officers the resources they need and work to put more officers on the street," Tyler Izen, president of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, said.
City News Service

Garcetti, Greuel pick up new support in L.A. mayoral election
The two contenders in the May 21 Los Angeles mayoral election announced their latest endorsements Monday, with City Councilman Eric Garcetti picking up support from a colleague in the San Fernando Valley and City Controller Wendy Greuel touting the backing of a community college board member. Garcetti held a news conference in Studio City with Councilman Paul Krekorian, who heads the council's powerful Budget and Finance Committee.
Los Angeles Times