Law Enforcement

Crime alerts for Harvard Heights and nine other L.A. neighborhoods
Crime reports are up significantly for the latest week in 10 L.A. neighborhoods, according to an analysis of LAPD data by the Los Angeles Times' Crime L.A. database. Five neighborhoods reported a significant increase in violent crime. Harvard Heights was the most unusual, recording six reports compared with a weekly average of 2.4 over the last three months. West Adams topped the list of five neighborhoods with property crime alerts.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD seeking witnesses in Winnetka crash that killed woman, unborn daughter
Police are asking for the public's help in locating witnesses to a July 15 Winnetka car crash that killed a 21-year-old pregnant woman and her unborn daughter. Sandra Elias, 21, was nine months pregnant when she died at Northridge Hospital Medical Center shortly after the crash, and the baby's father, Daniel Magallanes, 33, was arrested on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter. Magallanes has since been released pending investigation, and detectives are seeking more information on the cause of the crash, according to Officer Rhiannon Talley of LAPD's Valley Traffic Division.
Los Angeles Daily News

Missing Cheviot Hills woman found safe, LAPD says
An 18-year-old Cheviot Hills woman who had been reported missing has been located and is in good condition, the Los Angeles Police Department said Wednesday night. Caroline Karimi made contact with her family, the LAPD said. Police officials did not say where the woman was found, but KTLA-TV Channel 5 reported that she turned up in Wyoming. Karimi had been last seen Tuesday morning by her family at her home in the 2900 block of Queensbury Street.
Los Angeles Times

Man, 20, dies in Sun Valley during marijuana-collective burglary
A man in his mid-20s died Wednesday after being shot during a confrontation with several other men who apparently were burglarizing a marijuana collective in Sun Valley. The shooting happened around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 8200 block of Lankershim Boulevard, police said. The victim, who was shot in the chest, was taken to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, where he died after undergoing surgery, according to police.
City News Service

Man wounded in shooting with LAPD in Harbor City
A possible robbery suspect was wounded Wednesday evening by Los Angeles police. The man was shot in the hand around 6:30 p.m. near East Pacific Coast Highway and Belle Porte Avenue in Harbor City, the Los Angeles Police Department said. The man was taken into custody at the scene. The circumstances of the shooting were not immediately clear. Detectives were at the scene gathering evidence.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD tracks $200,000 Mercedes stolen from Venice valet service
A man who allegedly stole a $200,000 Mercedes-Benz SL5 in front of a Venice restaurant, where a valet had left the car running for the owner, was behind bars Wednesday thanks to an OnStar signal that led police to the pricey vehicle in Arleta. The car was stolen during the Tuesday lunch hour from outside a restaurant on Abbot Kinney Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The car was immediately reported stolen and an OnStar system was activated.
City News Service

Police give cyclists tips on bike security amid rising thefts in LA
Police in Los Angeles have tips for bicyclists on how to better secure their bikes as thefts have been on the rise in recent years in areas across Southern California. The Los Angeles Police Department recommends fastening bikes with quality latches, such as U-locks, chains and heavy padlocks in addition to garden variety cable locks, which by themselves are insufficient in deterring thieves.
NBC4

Hermosa Beach selects LAPD commander as new police chief
Ending an 18-month search, Hermosa Beach has selected a ranking LAPD commander to led its 37-officer department. Hermosa Beach City Manager Tom Bakaly announced Tuesday that he has offered the city's top law enforcement job to Sharon Papa, an assistant commanding officer at the Los Angeles Police Department's Valley bureau where she oversees 2,500 sworn and unsworn officers.
Los Angeles Times

City Government

LA City Council: No more parking tickets at broken meters
Angelenos can now park at broken meters without fear of receiving a ticket from parking enforcement thanks to a unanimous vote of the Los Angeles City Council. The reversal comes just seven months after the L.A. City Council reaffirmed its policy of ticketing cars left at broken meters. The policy resulted in frustration from drivers but virtually no tickets.
Southern California Public Radio

L.A. medical marijuana shops challenge Proposition D ban
The Los Angeles City Council met behind closed doors Wednesday to discuss threats of legal action by the operators of two medical marijuana dispensaries ordered to shut down under voter-approved Proposition D, which pared back the number of pot purveyors in the city. Voters approved Proposition D on May 21, banning medical marijuana businesses in Los Angeles while exempting shops that registered for licenses prior to a 2007 suspension on new dispensaries.
City News Service

Under pressure, L.A. DWP says it will tighten up sick pay policy
Beginning Thursday, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power will require employees who are out sick for three days or more to provide a doctor's note. The change comes less than a week after The Times reported that a 32-year old policy has allowed thousands of DWP employees to take paid days off well beyond the agency's nominal 10-day-a-year cap on sick days.
Los Angeles Times

Ex-mayoral candidate Kevin James to chair L.A. Public Works board
One day after being grilled by the City Council on his political views, former radio talk show host Kevin James was elected on Wednesday as president of the Board of Public Works. James, an attorney and a candidate for mayor in this year's election, was one of five nominations made to the Board of Public Works by Mayor Eric Garcetti.
Los Angeles Daily News