Law Enforcement

Gang violence sparked shooting that left 2 dead, LAPD says
A shooting that left two people dead and one critically wounded in South Los Angeles was gang-related, police said Tuesday evening. The violence broke out about 4 p.m. when a vehicle drove up to a group of men in the 2700 block of West 64th Street and at least one person opened fire, the Los Angeles Police Department said. "There were a number of rounds fired," Capt. Tom McMullen told The Times. Two men in their mid-20s were slain, and the third victim was hit as he was running away. He was also in his mid-20s, police said.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD searching for stabbing victim in knife attack
Los Angeles police detained a man with a knife on the Eastside on Tuesday and were searching for a stabbing victim, officials said. Police officers responded to a call of a man with a weapon at Del Paso Boulevard and Catalpa Street about 9:50 a.m. and discovered a man with a knife. Witnesses told officers that the man stabbed another person. Police searched the area for a possible victim.
Los Angeles Times

Man allegedly tries to burglarize pot dispensary, gets trapped inside
A San Pedro man attempting to burglarize a marijuana dispensary early Tuesday fell through the roof, trapping himself inside a security area between the front door and the lobby, authorities said. Jared Escando, 26, was arrested and booked on suspicion of commercial burglary. Bail was set at $20,000.
Los Angeles Times

Two suspects sought in Playa del Rey home invasion robbery
Authorities were searching Tuesday for two suspects in a Playa del Rey home invasion robbery who made off with stolen cash and an SUV after tying the resident up. The incident was reported just before midnight Monday in the 7500 block of Vista del Mar, said Los Angeles police Officer Bruce Borihanh. The male victim was uninjured.
Los Angeles Times

Police seeking San Fernando Valley robber who's hit three stores
A robber who has held up at least three local businesses in recent weeks remains at large, despite surveillance video of two of the incidents, according to police. The spree began July 31 when the suspect allegedly robbed a Taco Bell in Granada Hills. Police released surveillance video of the man a few weeks later, asking for the public's help in identifying him. He is described as a black man between the ages of 30 and 35, 6 feet to 6 feet 2 and weighing 190 to 200 pounds. Police say he should be considered armed and dangerous.
Los Angeles Daily News

Legislation

Gov. Jerry Brown signs nearly 30 bills into law
Gov. Jerry Brown signed nearly 30 measures into law Tuesday, including one allowing noncitizens who are permanent legal residents to serve as poll workers in California elections. The measure will provide more multilingual poll workers for a state where nearly 3 million people who are eligible to vote are not fluent in English, said its author, Assemblyman Rob Bonta (D-Oakland). Brown "clearly understands the challenges faced by the increasingly diverse voters in our state related to civic engagement and participation," Bonta said.
Los Angeles Times

Prisons

Jerry Brown proposes $315 million to lease private prison cells rather than release inmates
Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday responded to a federal court order to significantly reduce California's prison population by proposing a $315 million plan to send inmates to private prisons and empty county jail cells. The cost could reach $700 million over two years, with much of the money likely to come from a $1 billion reserve fund in the state budget. During a news conference at the Capitol, Brown bristled at the court's suggestion that the state could continue its early release of certain inmates to meet the federal judges' population cap. He noted that California has already released some 46,000 inmates to comply with the court's orders and said only the most dangerous felons remain in state prison.
Associated Press

L.A. is ground zero in realignment battle
Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, at the center of California's prison realignment, faces a perfect storm. His county will handle more "realigned" prison inmates than any of California's 57 other counties, who also are chafing at realignment. His department has been the target of critical official reports. A special commission was created to investigate jail brutality. Corruption scandals have emerged within the department, including favored treatment for celebrities. The ACLU filed suit over jail brutality and a recall petition is circulating. Last but not least, he's up for re-election next year.
Capitol Weekly

City Government

L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti goes on 'Today' to declare state of emergency over runaway production
Mayor Eric Garcetti is stepping up his efforts to keep the film business in Los Angeles, saying the spate of runaway productions from the region is a state of emergency. In a series of interviews Tuesday, Garcetti said he plans to press the case with Sacramento to provide more in the way of tax incentives and other easements to keep more productions in Los Angeles, a proposal he has been advocating since his campaign for mayor this past year.
Los Angeles Daily News

Task force will seek money, legislation to redo Pershing Square
Pershing Square, one of Los Angeles' oldest parks, may be getting a makeover. Councilman Jose Huizar on Tuesday named 20 business representatives, property owners, and architectural and design experts to a task force to seek money and legislation to redesign the benighted square in the heart of downtown. Task force members include Brian Glodney of Gensler architects; Melani Smith of Melendrez Design Partners; and Gail Goldberg, the city of Los Angeles' former director of planning.
Los Angeles Times