Law Enforcement

Police declare unlawful assembly in Hollywood; make arrests
About 80 protesters gathered in front of the CNN building in Hollywood on Sunset Boulevard shortly after midnight Monday, chanting "No Justice, No Peace," as police declared an unlawful assembly. A police helicopter shone a light on demonstrators as more than 100 Los Angeles police officers in riot gear converged on the crowd and began making arrests and telling people to disperse. Some officers fired less-than-lethal rounds at the crowd.
Los Angeles Times

Protesters block off portion of 10 Freeway marching against George Zimmerman acquittal
The Los Angeles Police Department issued a tactical alert Sunday night after protesters gathered in South Los Angeles to voice their anger that George Zimmerman was acquitted of all charges in the shooting death of unarmed black teen Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla., and several protesters said between 50 and 100 protesters made it onto the east 10 Freeway at Crenshaw Boulevard and blocked traffic around 6 p.m.
Los Angeles Daily News

Crime alerts for Encino and 12 other L.A. neighborhoods
Crime reports are up significantly for the latest week in 13 L.A. neighborhoods, according to an analysis of LAPD data by the Los Angeles Times' Crime L.A. database. Twelve neighborhoods reported a significant increase in violent crime. Encino was the most unusual, recording five reports compared with a weekly average of 0.7 over the last three months. Mission Hills topped the list of two neighborhoods with property crime alerts.
Los Angeles Times

FBI, LAPD investigate tagging of Learjet at Van Nuys Airport
Authorities are investigating an incident in which a $2.3-million Learjet was spray painted with graffiti in a secure area of Van Nuys Airport, a crime that Los Angeles police said was gang-related. The jet, which was vandalized with black spray paint spelling out "flame," "R.I.P." and an unidentified initial on the left front fuselage, was parked in an overflow area of the tarmac near Maguire Aviation in the 7100 block of Valjean Avenue at the time of the incident, said law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation.
Los Angeles Times

Man shot and killed in car in Arlington Heights
A man was shot and killed Friday afternoon near Arlington Heights Elementary School, police said. The shooter approached on foot and shot the man, who was seated in a parked car near Venice Boulevard and 12th Street about 12:45 p.m. Los Angeles Police Department detectives are investigating. The gunman was last seen in a silver Nissan Armada SUV. No physical description was immediately available. The identification of the victim has not been released.
Los Angeles Times

Partygoer killed in Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw shooting
A group of young men turned away from a party in the Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw neighborhood on Saturday night shot and killed one of the invited guests, police said. The shooting was gang-related, said LAPD spokeswoman Rosario Herrera. After being denied entry to the loud party on the 4600 block of Don Miguel Drive, a group of about four young men got into a shouting match with a guest. Harsh words escalated to gunfire around 11:55 p.m., police said.
Los Angeles Times

Lancaster man arrested as suspect in kidnap, rape of Westfield Topanga mall worker
An 18-year-old Lancaster man with a criminal record was being held Friday on $1 million bail in the kidnapping and rape of a store employee at Westfield Topanga mall in Canoga Park, officials said. Kioki Ray Snowden was arrested at his home about 1 p.m. Thursday on suspicion of kidnapping, officials said. He was being held at the LAPD's Van Nuys Jail pending the formal filing of charges. Snowden is accused of abducting a 19-year-old mall employee as she left work at 5:30 p.m. July 4.
Los Angeles Daily News

Driver of gray Dodge Challenger sought in apparent road-rage killing
Los Angeles police Sunday were looking for the driver of a gray Dodge Challenger who allegedly shot and killed a motorist in the northeast San Fernando Valley during a road-rage confrontation Saturday. The victim, who was driving a red Kia Rio, was wounded near the mouth and was taken to two hospitals before being pronounced dead, said Lt. Kamran Khan of the LAPD's Mission Division. Police identified the victim only as 22-year-old male Latino.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD routs Reds in charity game
The Los Angeles Police Department baseball squad traveled a long way to get to Santa Maria. Saturday night, the Centurions looked none the worse for wear. The seasoned Centurions cruised past the Santa Maria Reds, who didn't exactly have their most seasoned lineup on the diamond, 14-3 at Elks Field Saturday night. The game was an exhibition one, with proceeds earmarked for the Santa Maria Mission Hope Cancer Center. The center is an affiliate of UCLA. The game result did not count on the Reds' overall record.
Santa Maria Times

Traffic

Fiery L.A. underpass accident could add to Monday morning traffic headaches
A Caltrans spokesman said Sunday that "it's not going to be an easy day" for Monday morning rush-hour commuters into Los Angeles after a tanker truck flipped and spilled 8,500 gallons of gasoline on the 5 and 2 freeway connector roads near Dodger Stadium on Saturday, closing those roads indefinitely until an examination and repairs of the roadways are completed.
Los Angeles Daily News

City Government

L.A. City Council race: Onetime allies Cindy Montanez, Nury Martinez fight for CD6 seat
A blur of red, white and blue-colored "Cindy Montanez for City Council" lawn signs greet motorists zipping down Arleta's busy Terra Bella Street. But a few blocks down, turquoise-hued "Nury Martinez" signs emerge, the pop of color drawing a driver's gaze. A competitive council district race is quietly underway in the eastern San Fernando Valley, a sun-drenched pocket of Los Angeles known for its intense political rivalries.
Los Angeles Daily News

Rick Cole brings municipal experience to Garcetti administration
In selecting Rick Cole as his deputy mayor for budget and innovation last week, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti got an outspoken proponent of high-density building along transit corridors and someone who, as a former city manager, demanded accountability from department heads. Cole, 60, was Ventura's city manager for eight years before abruptly stepping down last year. He was city manager of Azusa before that and is a former mayor of Pasadena.
Los Angeles Times