Law Enforcement

LAPD Chief Beck: More than 100 cops monitoring felons released under state prison realignment
LAPD will spend $18.1 million in 2013 monitoring ex-offenders released from prison to county supervision, according to report presented to the Los Angeles Police Commission Tuesday. Assistant Chief Michel Moore, speaking to reporters after the meeting, said the investment has been a good proactive strategy, targeting a population that traditionally reoffends at high rates.
KPCC

LAPD officers kill man in his 70s after he allegedly shoots wife
A man in his 70s was shot and killed by Los Angeles police Tuesday morning after he allegedly shot his wife, then refused to put down his gun when officers ordered him to surrender. LAPD officers responded to a report of gunshots on South Normandie Avenue near West 41st Place in South L.A. about 9:25 a.m., Sgt. Albert Gonzalez said. Officers arrived and found a man in his 70s in a backyard with a handgun. He was ordered to drop the weapon, but did not comply and was shot, said Cmdr. Andrew Smith.
Los Angeles Times

Car theft suspect leads police on 40 minute chase throughout Los Angeles
Los Angeles police arrested a car theft suspect that led authorities on a 40 minute pursuit throughout Los Angeles early Tuesday morning. The chase started just before 4:20 a.m. when police tried to pull over a stolen Ford Contour near Laurel Canyon and Ventura boulevards. The male suspect then lead authorities through Hollywood, downtown and onto the 10 Freeway where he threw an object out of the window.
CBS LA

Man wanted by LAPD for past 2 years found in Myrtle Beach
Horry County (S.C.) Sheriffs deputies with help from the US Marshals Task Force arrested a wanted fugitive by the Los Angeles Police Department for child stealing, according to the Horry County Sheriff's Office. Donald Eugene Byrd, 59, was arrested at a home in Myrtle Beach Tuesday afternoon. Byrd took his 12-year-old grandson from the child's mother's home and has been on the run for the past 2 years, deputies added.
WPDE15 Myrtle Beach

LAPD detective recalls case against Encino plastic surgeon
The death of a patient is not something that homicide detectives typically investigate. But after Sharon Carpenter died following a 10-hour liposuction surgery, veteran Det. Joel Price became involved in the case. The plastic surgeon allegedly acted "so recklessly that he endangered the life of his patient and ultimately contributed to the killing," said Price, who commands the West Valley homicide unit for the Los Angeles Police Department. On Tuesday, former cosmetic surgeon Ehab Alby Mohamed was charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with Carpenter's death Aug. 21, 2010.
Los Angeles Times

FBI works to train police on mass killing response
Two men stand anxiously at a classroom entrance and another lies seriously wounded beside a wall outside. "Don't come down here, I'm telling you - I'll kill 'em," a man inside the classroom shouts to officers snaking down the corridor with guns drawn. A brief attempt at negotiations quickly fizzles as the officers approach the room, yell to the men inside to get down and take out the gunman in a swift firefight. The drill is part of a training program the FBI is helping run for local law enforcement agencies nationwide.
Associated Press

Pensions

When it comes to pensions, California is not Detroit
Not surprisingly, within moments of news of Detroit's bankruptcy, pension scare mongers took to their pedestals to place all the blame on pensions. California, Los Angeles, and other governments would surely follow Detroit's footsteps in short order, they cried. It's simply not true, like most of the claims made by the anti-pension soldiers who have been trying for years to take away the retirement security of firefighters, teachers, police officers and other public servants.
Ralph Miller, President, LA County Probation Officers' Union, AFSCME

Legislation

California motorists could see lighter wallets under pending bills
Some California motorists would see the government reach deeper into their pockets under two bills approved by state lawmakers this week. The Senate on Monday approved AB 767, which allows counties to follow the lead of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties and receive authority to double a fee for auto-theft prevention that appears on vehicle registrations. The fee could go from $1 to $2 for non-commercial vehicles and from $2 to $4 for commercial vehicles.
Los Angeles Times

Public Safety

LA-RICS selects Motorola Solutions to develop interoperable public safety radio system for the Los Angeles County region
The Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System Authority (LA-RICS) has selected Motorola Solutions, Inc. to develop a radio system that will provide mission-critical communications for the region's more than 34,000 law enforcement, fire service and health service professionals and more than 80 public safety agencies.
Motorola News Release

Traffic

California freeways busiest in nation
California freeways logged nearly 85 billion miles in 2011, enough to complete 900 trips from the Earth to the Sun, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Transportation released Monday. The Golden State easily led all 50 states in vehicle miles traveled, with Texas - a distant second - at 55.7 billion miles, and Florida at 34.7 billion miles placing third. The single busiest interstate in the nation was the 5 Freeway, recording 21.4 billion miles in California.
San Gabriel Valley Tribune

City Government

Mayor Garcetti to end his Naval Reserve active duty this year
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Tuesday that he will conclude his active Naval Reserve duty when his current service obligation is fulfilled at the year's end. "In preparation, I have informed my commanding officer that it is my intention to transfer to the Inactive Ready Reserve,'' Garcetti said in a prepared statement. "IRR members have no drill obligation, but retain their rank in the Navy and are able to resume drilling in the future."
Los Angeles Times