Law Enforcement

LAPD asking for help to find missing 13-year-old boy
The Los Angeles Police Department's Rampart Division is asking for the public's help to find a missing 13-year-old boy. Police said Devante Fitzgerald was last seen June 9, when he was riding a black mountain bicycle outside his home on the 4400 block of Lockwood Avenue in Los Angeles. His family said he has a curfew of 7 p.m. and is always home on time. Sometime after 7 p.m. his father tried to look for him, even visiting the home of the teen's friend, but could not find him, according to police.
ABC7

Man pretends to shop, robs 2 Harbor-area stores - LAPD
The Los Angeles Police Department is asking for the public's help in finding information that would lead to the arrest of a man suspected in two May robberies in the Harbor area. Police said the same person is responsible for two robberies, one at a Radio Shack in San Pedro and the other at a Game Stop in Harbor City. On May 25, around 7:35 p.m., a man entered a Radio Shack on the 500 block of South Gaffey Avenue in San Pedro and pretended to shop for two laptops and a bag, according to police.
ABC7

Driver held after pedestrian is fatally struck in North Hollywood
The driver taken into custody Tuesday after allegedly striking and killing a man in North Hollywood has been arrested on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, police said. He has been identified as Patrick Sage, 22, of Sun Valley. The unidentified male victim, who was in his 30s, was crushed between the driver's moving vehicle and a parked van, said Sgt. David Delgado of the LAPD's Valley Traffic Division.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD Chief recognizes child safety advocate
LAPD Chief Charlie Beck was among those on hand Tuesday to honor a Southland child safety advocate for her work in the community. Adrienne Mack, director of the Preparing Parents Foundation, was publicly recognized for her efforts in helping to increase awareness and educate parents on the importance of proper child seat installation. In early 2010, Mack joined efforts with the LAPD South Traffic Division officers on the first of her parenting workshops on "Car Seat Safety", which continue to be provided to the public free of charge.
CBS LA

LAPD watchdog finds short paper trail on force investigations
The Los Angeles Police Department investigates incidents involving the use force by officers in a way that makes it impossible in most cases for the city's police watchdog to evaluate the thoroughness of those investigations, according to a recent report. Alex Bustamante, the inspector general for the L.A. Police Commission, presented the oversight board with a detailed report Tuesday examining how LAPD officials deal with incidents involving less serious uses of force by officers.
Los Angeles Times

D.A. revises policies after complaints of withholding evidence
Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey announced Tuesday that she has issued new policies on when to disclose information about police officer misconduct and other evidence to defense attorneys. The move drew praise from the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, which, along with other civil rights lawyers, sued the county last year, accusing prosecutors of improperly withholding key evidence from defendants.
Los Angeles Times

Long Beach police chief won't challenge Baca
Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell announced Tuesday evening that he will not be challenging Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca in next year's election. McDonnell, a well-respected former top LAPD official, had been considering running for several months. If he had run, he would have been the most formidable challenger to face Baca since he became sheriff some 15 years ago. In an interview with The Times, McDonnell said he made his decision over the weekend, after considering how much time it would take to raise funds.
Los Angeles Times

The Courts

L.A. County court to eliminate more than 500 jobs this week
The Los Angeles County Superior Court plans to eliminate more than 500 jobs by the end of the week in a sweeping cost-cutting plan to close a projected $85-million budget shortfall for the next fiscal year. On Friday, layoff notices will be hand-delivered to employees as 511 court positions are eliminated. While some positions will simply go unfilled, 177 people will lose their jobs, court officials announced Tuesday.
Los Angeles Times

California chief justice 'encouraged' by partial courts restoration
California's chief justice said she was "encouraged" that the budget deal worked out between Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature would end a pattern of funding cuts for courts and restore at least some money lost previously. Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye said in a prepared statement Tuesday morning the state spending plan hammered out the day before "is an initial step forward" to rebuild "the kind of access to justice the public deserves."
Los Angeles Times

Legislation

Bill giving longer parole sentences to jail inmates moves forward
Felons now serving their sentences in county jail face the prospect of longer parole terms under a bill sponsored by sheriffs in the state and nearing a final vote in the Legislature. The legislation, carried by Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, D-Concord, allows county parole boards created as part of the state's prison shift to give inmates a three-year parole sentence instead of the current two-year term. It already has been approved by the Assembly.
Los Angeles Times

State Government

Democrats hope for higher revenue, more spending
The budget compromise between Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature's Democratic leaders largely mirrors the governor's proposal for a fiscally restrained spending plan that assumes conservative revenue projections. But there's a catch: Rank-and-file Democratic lawmakers say they are agreeing to less spending than they wanted so they could pass the budget on time, although they will push for funding pet projects next year.
Associated Press