Law Enforcement

LAPD warns real estate agents to lock up vacant homes in wake of Northridge abduction
We know who the suspects are in the horrific abduction of a Northridge 10-year-old last week. But one accomplice has gone unnamed: an empty home somewhere in the West Valley where atrocities against the girl allegedly occurred. Cops say a home that was for sale or possibly in escrow was unlocked and thus easy prey for a suspect accused of holding the victim and sexually assaulting her for hours on March 27. The department warned real estate agents to keep vacant homes locked up.
LA Weekly

'Swatting' call brings LAPD to Rihanna's Pacific Palisades home
In the second celebrity "swatting" incident in as many days, Los Angeles police responded to the home of singer Rihanna after a caller reported someone was shot inside her Pacific Palisades home. Emergency dispatchers received the call shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday reporting that someone had been shot and wounded inside the singer's home in the 900 block of Rivas Canyon Road, said LAPD Officer Bruce Borihahn. Officers secured the location and quickly determined the call was a hoax.
Los Angeles Times

Man allegedly seen blowing kisses to kids near Valley elementary school
Police were asking for the public's help Thursday in identifying a child annoying suspect near a San Fernando Valley elementary school. Police believe the suspect is driving a Ford F-150 or a similar vehicle. The suspect has been seen near Plummer Elementary at 9340 Noble Ave. in North Hills blowing kisses at children, according to LAPD Mission Division. There have been previous reported sightings of the suspect - who is described as a male Hispanic between 25 and 30 years old - matching a similar description possibly engaged in lewd conduct inside his truck while parked outside the school, police said.
CBS LA

LAPD say boy, 11, made up kidnapping tale
Los Angeles police say an 11-year-old boy was lying when he told detectives he was kidnapped by a man in a black mask as he walked home from his San Pedro school. The Daily News reports the boy later admitted to police that he made up the story Wednesday to avoid discipline from his parents, possibly to explain his whereabouts after school. He initially said the kidnapper chased him down, put duct tape on his mouth and dragged him into a car.
Associated Press

LAPD ponders special action to control auto-related crimes on Colorado Blvd.
Auto thieves are targeting cars on Eagle Rock's main street and the LAPD is considering deployment of plainclothes officers. Of the 30 crimes reported in Eagle Rock during March - an average of nearly one per day - seven occurred on Colorado Boulevard, the neighborhood's main street that, as everyone knows, is the focus of plans to install bicycle lanes and make the thoroughfare safer and more pleasant.
Eagle Rock Patch

L.A.'s parking wars take a toll on drivers and meter officers alike
In too many parts of L.A., there are more cars than parking. When the parking shifts to residents only - or the street sweepers lurch through, wiping out half the available spots - there's nowhere to go, and people take matters into their own hands, painting curbs, jamming meters and conjuring other underhanded tricks.
Los Angeles Times

Pensions

In split vote, new leader for L.A. public safety pensions chosen
In a closely divided vote, the board that oversees retirement benefits for Los Angeles police officers and firefighters on Thursday chose a former official with the U.S. Department of Interior as its new top executive. The board voted 5-4 to hire Ray Joseph to lead the Fire and Police Pensions retirement system. Joseph spent a year serving as executive director for the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians, overseeing Indian trust assets, according to his resume.
Los Angeles Times

Prisons

Report outlines abuses by California prison staff
A California parole agent was accused of soliciting one of his parolees to kill another. Numerous corrections department employees allegedly had sex with inmates, including juveniles. And a prison guard was suspected of carousing regularly with prisoners, even joining them as they drank a form of booze the inmates manufactured themselves. The incidents are among 278 cases of alleged employee misconduct detailed in the latest report by the independent inspector general of the state corrections department.
Associated Press

City Election

Nancy Pelosi backs Wendy Greuel for mayor
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi endorsed mayoral candidate Wendy Greuel Thursday. The support came during a roundtable discussion with other leading female politicians at the Feminist Majority Foundation. If she's elected on May 21st, Greuel would become the first female mayor of Los Angeles. That point was driven home during the afternoon event. On one side of Greuel sat U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer and U.S. Rep. Janice Hahn. On the other side were U.S. Rep. Judy Chu, former L.A. City Councilwoman Roz Wyman and Pelosi.
KPCC