Law Enforcement

Teen held after allegedly pointing Tec-9 assault gun at officers
Los Angeles police arrested a teen Wednesday night who allegedly tried to shoot officers with an assault weapon during a traffic stop in West Adams, authorities said. No officers were injured in the shooting, said Officer Christopher No of the Los Angeles Police Department. Police took the teenage suspect, who was not immediately identified, into custody after a search of the neighborhood.
Los Angeles Times

Man intentionally struck in deadly hit and run
Police are searching for the driver of an SUV involved in the death of a pedestrian they believe was intentionally hit. The victim, a Hispanic man about 50-year-old, was standing in the street near the 600 block of San Julian Street when he was struck Tuesday about 4:45 p.m. The suspect, described by witnesses as a 45 to 55-year-old male Hispanic, appeared to intentionally drive his SUV toward the victim at a high rate of speed. The man was thrown about 60 feet when he was struck by the vehicle, according to police.
KTLA5

Police shoot, kill suspect in Skid Row, prompting angry crowd to gather
A man thought to be an armed robbery suspect was shot and killed by police Wednesday in the downtown Los Angeles area, prompting an angry crowd to gather in Skid Row. The fatal shooting occurred shortly before 9:30 a.m. near Fifth and Wall streets. An undercover officer was in the area when he saw what appeared to be a robbery in progress in a market, said Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Sgt. Rudy Lopez said.
NBC4

LAPD releases composite sketch of man blowing kisses at school children in North Hills
Los Angeles police detectives Wednesday released a composite drawing of a man seen blowing kisses to school children as he sat in his truck near an elementary school in North Hills. "Witnesses also thought they recognized the man from a prior incident when he committed a lewd act while sitting in his truck near the same school," said Lt. Paul Vernon, who heads up the detective unit at the Los Angeles Police Department's Mission Station. "This is not some benign, friendly gesture," Vernon said.
City News Service

LAPD concerned about thefts from vehicles in Encino area
At the Encino Neighborhood Council meeting on April 24, Los Angeles Police Department Senior Lead Officer Robert Trulik warned local residents to "Lock It, Hide It, Keep It," as stolen cars and burglaries and thefts from them continue to be the biggest property crime in the neighborhood. Meanwhile, in nearby Studio City, Senior Lead Officer Mike Lewis reports that "my numbers are exploding for burglaries from motor vehicles" and that he hasn't seen "60, 70 cars broken into since 10 years ago."
Encino - Tarzana Patch

Ruling shows L.A. was right to stand up for its officers: Opinion
It might have been tempting for the city to agree to a legal settlement with the grieving family after a 19-year-old San Fernando Valley man was shot to death by Los Angeles police on the 101 Freeway one night in April 2012 while wielding nothing more threatening than a cell phone. But the city did not rush to settle. This was the right move. Now it has been vindicated. Tuesday, a federal judge dismissed a wrongful-death lawsuit filed by the family of Abdul Arian, a suit that demanded $25 million after originally asking for $120 million.
Los Angeles News Group

Pensions

Villaraigosa's pension choice pulls out just before council vote
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's pick to run the city's pension system for public-safety employees has dropped out of the running, saying Wednesday he "didn't want to get wrapped up in the politics." Ray Joseph, 40, had been slated to appear Wednesday before the City Council for a final confirmation vote. But the Maryland resident told The Times he had grown concerned about the possibility that the next mayor, who takes office July 1, would want somebody else to run the retirement system.
Los Angeles Times

Prisons

Gov. Jerry Brown seeks new prison beds in California
Gov. Jerry Brown is pursuing a prison contract in California, too small to meet federal orders to reduce crowding, but enough to help Brown end the shipment of inmates to for-profit prisons out of state. According to bid documents, California offers to pay no more than $63 a day, on top of facility costs, to house up to 1,225 additional inmates in what the state calls "modified community" prisons.
Los Angeles Times

California prisons spend big on anti-psychotic drugs
Under federal court oversight, California's prison mental health system has been spending far more on anti-psychotic drugs than other states with large prison systems, raising questions about whether patients are receiving proper treatment. Figures compiled by The Associated Press show that California has been spending a far greater percentage on anti-psychotic medication for inmates than other states with large prison systems.
Associated Press

Gun Control

Jerry Brown signs bill to step up California gun enforcement
Gov. Jerry Brown has signed legislation to increase funding for a state effort to confiscate weapons from people who are prohibited from owning them because of mental illness or violent criminal pasts, Brown's office announced Wednesday. Senate Bill 140 was one of a number of gun control proposals introduced by California Democrats following the December shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn.
Sacramento Bee

City Budget

Villaraigosa budget could cover 5.5% raise for city workers
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa came out swinging against the city's labor unions last week, urging lawmakers - and the next mayor - to abandon or pare the 5.5% raise that comes due for many city employees on Jan. 1. Villaraigosa set a defiant tone as he unveiled his latest budget, his last before he leaves office after eight years, saying city workers need to contribute more toward their healthcare costs. Yet amid the tough talk, the mayor's spending plan shows he already has the money to cover those costs if the unions are unwilling to deal.
Los Angeles Times

City Election

L.A. mayor's race: Wendy Greuel uses Web chat to target women
As the Los Angeles mayor's race heads into the final three-week stretch, City Controller Wendy Greuel is stepping up her efforts to engage female voters - seeking a turnout advantage against her general election rival, City Councilman Eric Garcetti. Greuel's strategists expect women to make up 55% of the electorate in her May 21 runoff with Garcetti. Over the past few weeks, the campaign has organized more than 100 all-women phone-banking sessions at the homes of supporters to engage volunteers.
Los Angeles Times