Law Enforcement

Crime alerts for Encino, Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw, 7 other L.A. neighborhoods
Crime reports are up significantly for the latest week in nine L.A. neighborhoods, according to an analysis of Los Angeles Police Department data by the Los Angeles Times' Crime L.A. database. Six neighborhoods reported a significant increase in violent crime. Encino was the most unusual, recording three reports compared with a weekly average of 0.6 over the last three months. Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw topped the list of three neighborhoods with property crime alerts
Los Angeles Times

Abducted girl case: LAPD probes possible link to 2008 kidnapping
Authorities are investigating whether there is a link between Wednesday's abduction of a 10-year-old Northridge girl and the kidnapping of three children five years ago. That 2008 kidnapping generated media attention, but law enforcement sources stressed that it is only one of several leads they are chasing. Public records show that one of the children kidnapped in 2008 was a relative of the Northridge girl.
Los Angeles Times

Manson family member audio tape still not in LAPD hands
It could take a month or longer for Los Angeles Police Department detectives to review decades-old audio tapes that could shed new light on the Charles Manson murder spree. On Tuesday, a federal judge in Texas has ruled that the LAPD can have access to taped conversations between one of Charles Manson's most fervent followers and his late attorney to see if it can help solve more murders.
Los Angeles Times

Crime reduction top priority, says new Northeast LAPD Captain
Captain Jeffrey Bert, a 17-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department, began his first day on the job as captain of the Northeast Division on March 10. He replaces William Murphy, who served as Northeast Captain for five years before being reassigned and promoted to Commander. Bert is one of two captains at station: Capt. Joseph Hiltner is the station's patrol captain.
EGP News

LAPD motorcycle officer injured in Hollywood crash
A Los Angeles police motorcycle officer was injured Thursday in a crash in Hollywood. Paramedics were sent to the 6300 block of Santa Monica Boulevard about 12:20 p.m., Katherine Main of the Los Angeles Fire Department said. The officer was taken to a hospital for examination. Richard French of the LAPD said the officer's injuries were not believed to be serious.
Hollywood Patch

20-year-old Canoga Park motorist in pursuit pleads guilty in pedestrian's death
A 20-year-old man pleaded guilty Thursday to voluntary manslaughter and other charges involving the death of a pedestrian who was struck in a Canoga Park crosswalk last year. Ernesto Jacinto Lopez of Canoga Park is facing 21 years in state prison when he is sentenced April 30 by Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Karen Nudell, Deputy District Attorney Elan Carr said.
City News Service

PHOTOS: LAPD celebrates César Chávez
David Figueroa-Ortega, Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles said of Chávez: "His struggle for labor rights for agricultural workers was, above all, a struggle for dignity. In this way, he sent a powerful message to this society about the valuable contributions of immigrants to American life." Figueroa-Ortega also credited LAPD for their recognition of Chávez. "I commend LAPD for their effort to commemorate César Chávez for the fourth time. This reaffirm its commitment to this Hispanic Community and to mutual understanding between the community and the authorities."
Highland Park - Mount Washington Patch

City Government

Panel of L.A. insiders will address budget gap and unemployment
A panel made up mostly of Los Angeles political insiders will spend the next six to eight months developing strategies for addressing two problems that have bedeviled City Hall - how to eliminate a persistent budget gap and create more jobs after a deep economic downturn. City Council President Herb Wesson, appearing with lawyer and former U.S. Commerce Secretary Mickey Kantor, said Thursday that the 12-member L.A. 2020 commission will submit proposals later this year to a new mayor and seven new council members.
Los Angeles Times

Massive Hollywood development project clears hurdle
Los Angeles city planners on Thursday unanimously approved a controversial $664 million development plan with two huge skyscrapers in the heart of Hollywood. After a marathon hearing Thursday, the nine-member Planning Commission approved the project by Millennium Partners and Argent Ventures LLC, both of New York.
Los Angeles Business Journal

City Election

Magic Johnson endorses Wendy Greuel for L.A. mayor
Basketball legend Magic Johnson endorsed Wendy Greuel to be Los Angeles' next mayor on Thursday, saying he selected her because of her broad range of experiences in the public and private sectors, her longtime ties to the African American community and the historic nature of her candidacy to be the city's first woman mayor.
Los Angeles Times