Law Enforcement

Crime drops throughout Los Angeles area
Crime continued to drop throughout Los Angeles as Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Friday challenged his potential successors to continue to support a 10,000-member force in the Los Angeles Police Department and to support anti-gang efforts. "Safe neighborhoods are the foundation of a safe city," Villaraigosa said at a news conference with Police Chief Charlie Beck. "I say to the two candidates who want to be the next mayor they have to make sure public safety is our No. 1 priority. If you want to be mayor of Los Angeles, you will have to continue to hire to the level we have."
Los Angeles Daily News

Northridge kidnap suspect fled to Mexico: LAPD
A parolee suspected of kidnapping a 10-year-old Northridge girl was recorded on a border security camera entering Mexico, the Los Angeles Police Department chief said Friday. "Tobias Summers was seen via video surveillance crossing a footbridge into Tecate from the United States. We have no way to know whether or not he has returned since that journey, but we are focusing our efforts on that region," said LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, who did not disclose when the video was recorded. Tecate, Mexico, is located about 30 miles east of Tijuana.
NBC4

LAPD: 3 Former judges to decide on $1M Dorner reward
The Los Angeles Police Department said Friday that three retired judges will determine who gets the $1-million Christopher Dorner reward. Officials said people have until April 19 to claim their portion of the money. The reward - a collection of smaller donations from more than two dozen agencies, groups and individuals - was initially offered for Dorner's "capture and conviction."
KTLA

LAPD cracks down on 'Swatting' after escalation of pranks
The dangerous pranks called swatting appear to be getting more popular and shaken up some of Hollywood's biggest celebrities but after four stars were hit in less than a week. Police are saying enough is enough. Justin Timberlake joined the long list of stars hit by the swatting prank. There was a call, four men entered the home and there was a call of someone being shot inside the home. Just hours later police respond Selena Gomez's mansion.
ABC World News

Police use taser, arrest man in barricaded Venice apartment
A man who allegedly broke into a Venice apartment and used a couch to barricade himself inside was apprehended by Los Angeles police Saturday after 9 p.m. and transported from the scene by ambulance, Venice311 initially reported and Patch verified with police. The suspect was subdued by police with a taser and treated for related injuries, City News Service reported. None on the suspect's injuries were severe, police Sgt. Bone told Patch.
Venice - MarVista Patch

Man shot dead near Crenshaw apartment building
An investigation is under way in the Crenshaw District where a man was found shot to death near his apartment building. The shooting happened just before 2 a.m. Sunday in the 4100 block of Santo Tomas Drive. The 39-year-old man was discovered by someone taking out the trash. Police have no suspects or a motive. Anyone with information can call the Los Angeles police tip line at 1-877-LAPD-24-7.
ABC7

Family to offer $100,000 reward in unsolved Koreatown murder case
In the early hours of April 10, 2012, police found Samuel Michel dead inside his Koreatown apartment with a knife in his back and stab wounds to his head. Despite a $50,000 reward, Los Angeles police homicide detectives have been unable to identify a suspect in the murder case. As the anniversary of Michel's death approaches, family and friends plan to hold a memorial celebration at his former apartment.
Los Angeles Times

Poll: Cellphone-driving bans not working; state ramps up anyway
The state of California has several laws aimed at cracking down on drivers using cellphones, but it may all be for naught. Motorists seem to be ignoring these laws. A survey released Friday appears to back that up. Nationally, the number of people using cellphones or electronic devices while behind the wheel remained steady from 2010 to 2012, according to the poll released by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Los Angeles Times

A feeder program for the LAPD
School was in session at the Los Angeles Police Department's Ahmanson Training Center in Westchester as high school seniors dressed in brown khaki trousers and blue uniform shirts kicked off another day in an unusual law enforcement training program called the Police Orientation Preparation Program. The badges printed on their shirts bore the image of City Hall as well as the imprint of the sponsoring Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles Community College District and the LAPD.
Los Angeles Times

Landscaping fiasco at LAPD headquarters not over yet
If the penal code had a section on landscaping crimes, the Los Angeles Police Department would need a full-time squad to go after everyone responsible for the ongoing fiasco on its own property. It's been 3 1/2 years since the new headquarters opened at 1st and Spring streets, and the city is still trying to get the landscaping right, with planter boxes empty, dead palm trees still standing, a scrubby dirt garden near the memorial to fallen police officers and piles of soil and sand blighting the landscape.
Steve Lopez/Los Angeles Times

Longtime San Fernando Valley LAPD volunteer accused of stealing gas from department
A longtime Los Angeles Police Department volunteer who has won praise for his dedication and skill is facing criminal charges, accused of stealing city gas for his personal vehicle. James Hardie of Sylmar is charged with two counts of petty theft, said Frank Mateljan, a spokesman for the City Attorney's Office.
Los Angeles Daily News

Prisons

Judge rejects California's attempt to take control of prison mental health care
A federal judge on Friday rejected Gov. Jerry Brown's bid to regain state control of inmates' mental health care, citing systematic failures to reduce prison suicides, provide timely care and hire enough staff. The decision is a blow to the Democratic governor's attempts to end nearly two decades of expensive federal lawsuits that influence nearly every aspect of California's prison system.
Southern California Public Radio