Law Enforcement

LAPD's 'magic number' of 10,000 officers losing some luster
In 1989, then-Los Angeles Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky unveiled an audacious plan to boost the city police force by more than 25% to 10,000 officers. He couldn't have imagined that city leaders would chase that goal for nearly a quarter of a century until, at the start of this year, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced that he had pushed the LAPD over the long-illusive benchmark.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD searching for thief in Spiderman costume who stole a bag with $6,000 in cash
The Los Angeles Police Department is searching for a thief in a Spiderman costume who stole a bag with $6,000 in cash inside. The suspect swiped the bag from a Starline Tour employee on Hollywood Boulevard on Saturday. One person was detained and handcuffed by police, but he was later released after being questioned by police. No arrests have been made, and the $6,000 is still missing.
NBC4

LAPD, Kaiser Permanente hold collection sites for unwanted Rx drugs
Last September, approximately 244 tons of prescription drugs were turned in at more than 5,000 sites across the nation. In its five previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners took in more than 1,018 tons of pills, the LAPD reported. The initiative hopes to put a dent in the increasing rates of prescription drug abuse across the nation, as well as accidental poisonings and overdoses.
CBS2

After Dorner claim, other fired LAPD cops want cases reviewed
In the wake of Christopher Dorner's claim that his firing from the Los Angeles Police Department was a result of corruption and bias, more than three dozen other fired LAPD cops want department officials to review their cases. The 40 requests, which were tallied by the union that represents rank-and-file officers, have come in the two months since Dorner sought revenge for his 2009 firing by targeting police officers and their families in a killing rampage that left four dead and others injured.
Los Angeles Times

Homeland Security

As anniversary of bin Laden's death nears, threat of homegrown terrorism occupies law enforcement
With the second anniversary of Osama bin Laden's death approaching on Thursday and in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings, local law enforcement agencies are especially vigilant and poised to ramp up security to deter any potential terrorist attacks. The anniversary also comes as two men were arrested and charged last week with allegedly plotting an attack against a Canadian passenger train with support from al-Qaida elements in Iran.
Los Angeles Daily News

Legislation

Assembly passes bill to let noncitizens serve on juries
California would allow noncitizens to serve on juries under a proposal being considered by state lawmakers, potentially expanding a fundamental obligation of American life to millions more people. The measure, which would apply only to legal residents, would make California the only state to open the jury box to noncitizens who meet all other requirements of service, according to legal experts.
Los Angeles Times

Assemblyman's bill would open carpool lanes on 134, 210 freeways to single-occupancy drivers
The fate of a single-occupancy driver in Southern California idling in traffic during non-peak times due to roadwork or a wreck blocking the regular lanes bothered San Fernando Valley lawmaker Assemblyman Mike Gatto, D-Silver Lake, so much that he wrote a bill giving all drivers use of the HOV lanes on the 134 and 210 freeways during non-peak times.
Los Angeles Daily News

Prisons

Realignment law jeopardizes victim compensation
The California law that eases prison overcrowding by shifting responsibility for thousands of lower-level felons to county jails has made it much harder for certain crime victims to collect restitution from inmates. The state's 33 adult prisons have a seamless system for siphoning 50 percent of the money out of an inmate's prison account - money earned from a prison job or deposited by friends and family - to pay victims for their losses.
Associated Press

Prisons chief says more releases could 'unravel' realignment
California prisons chief Jeffrey Beard says he is concerned more reductions of the state prison population would overwhelm counties already struggling with the state's 2011 realignment program. The state achieved a 25,000 reduction in its prison population by requiring counties to take on criminals from three fronts: County jails must house lower-level offenders and state parole violators, and those released from prison now go through county probation.
Los Angeles Times

Gun Control

Ban on high-capacity gun clips in L.A. advances
A Los Angeles City Council committee Friday recommended a proposal to ban ownership of gun magazine clips that take more than 10 bullets. Members of the City Council's Public Safety Committee said they hope to encourage other cities to take similar actions. The ordinance would make it a misdemeanor to possess the magazine clips. It allows exemptions for law enforcement officers and entertainment industry uses.
Los Angeles Daily News