Law Enforcement

Motorcycle rider leads officers on wild pursuit across L.A.
A brazen motorcycle rider led law enforcement authorities on a pursuit on the 101 Freeway on Wednesday afternoon in the San Fernando Valley and then on surface streets across downtown Los Angeles and into the Eastside. A man was detained at an Auto Zone store about 5:30 p.m. on Whittier Boulevard near Indiana Avenue, according to television news footage. At one point, the motorcyclist was riding along sidewalks as authorities followed him.
Los Angeles Times

L.A. County sees drop in number of hate crimes but a rise in violence
Hate crimes in Los Angeles County hit their second-lowest point in 23 years last year, but violent attacks based on race and sexual orientation rose from 2011, according to a report released Wednesday by the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations. There were 462 hate crimes reported in the county in 2012, a 6% decrease from the previous year. Although cases of vandalism -- which make up close to one-third of reported hate crimes -- and simple assault had decreased, the number of aggravated assaults increased from 63 in 2011 to 88 last year.
Los Angeles Times

10-4 Day Parade in Hollywood October 4, 2013
Dozens of vintage police cars and emergency vehicles will head down Hollywood Boulevard with lights flashing and sirens blaring on Oct. 4 during the 10th annual "10-4 Day Parade" and celebrating the 45th Anniversary of ADAM-12. The event is led by City Councilmember Tom LaBonge. Join us Friday, October 4th, 2013 for a parade of cars and stars. The festivities begin at 12:00 p.m. Numerous officers from the CHP, the LAPD and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department also participate in the event, which raises awareness about public safety.
Adam-12 Code 3

Roaming pack of German shepherds attacks pedestrians; 3 people hurt
Three people were taken to the hospital Tuesday after a pack of German shepherds attacked pedestrians in South Los Angeles. "They were wandering the streets," LAPD Lt. Julie Patton, who was on duty Tuesday during the attacks, said of the dogs. Four women were attacked at or near Manhattan Place Elementary School, 1850 W. 96th St. in Gramercy Park, Patton added. The dogs were attacking people as they exited the school, KABC-TV reported.
Los Angeles Times

FBI shuts down online drug market Silk Road
The FBI has shut down the online drug bazaar Silk Road -- and arrested the man who they say created it. According to the sealed complaint filed by the FBI, federal agents arrested Ross William Ulbricht on Tuesday afternoon, charging him with narcotics trafficking, computer hacking and money laundering. The FBI also seized the Silk Road website, replacing its homepage with a banner noting as much, according to agency spokeswoman Kelly Langmesser.
CNN

Government Shutdown

Shutdown is harming intelligence gathering, Clapper says
U.S. intelligence officials said Wednesday that the government shutdown is seriously damaging the intelligence community's ability to guard against threats. They said they're keeping counterterrorism staff at work as well as those providing intelligence to troops in Afghanistan, but that the danger would increase daily with fewer spies to track targets. Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper told Congress Wednesday that roughly 70 percent of the civilian workforce -- including staff from the CIA, National Security Agency and Defense Intelligence Agency -- have been furloughed.
Associated Press

Education

Los Angeles Unified discussing 200-day school year
Los Angeles Unified, the state's largest school district, is discussing extending its academic year by 20 days, a $300 million proposal that would give Los Angeles the longest school year, at 200 days, of any large urban district in the nation. Extending class time and the length of the school year is gaining increasing attention as educators seek new ways to improve student performance, and any extension would put Los Angeles at the forefront of the national effort.
EdSource

New Laws

Brown to approve driver's permits for immigrants in U.S. illegally
Gov. Jerry Brown on Thursday will hold signing ceremonies in Los Angeles and Fresno to approve AB 60, which will allow people in the country illegally to receive a permit to legally drive in California, his office announced Wednesday. Brown will join immigrant rights advocates, community leaders, law enforcement officials and local lawmakers in the ceremonies to sign the bill, which the announcement said will "enable millions more Californians to legally drive on the state's roadways."
Los Angeles Times

'Revenge porn' posters face jail time under new California law
Those who engage in "revenge porn" -- humiliating ex-romantic partners online -- now face jail time and fines under a law signed by Gov. Jerry Brown. Under the bill by Sen. Anthony Cannella (R-Ceres), those convicted of illegally distributing private images with the intent to harass or annoy face up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Cannella contended that without the law, authorities have had "no tools to combat revenge porn or cyber-revenge."
Los Angeles Times

City Government

City Council approves starting valet operator requirements
Valet parking operators will pay $314 for a permit and attendants pay $70, according to an ordinance approved by the Los Angeles City Council aimed at regulating curbside parking services. The council voted 10-0 Tuesday to establishing requirements for valet parking operators. Under the ordinance, which awaits signature by the mayor, valet parking operators must apply for a master permit, check employees' criminal backgrounds and carry liability insurance.
Studio City Patch

Garcetti says 'no hard feelings' to business group that opposed him
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti sought Wednesday to rebuild his frayed ties with the city's business leaders, embracing their City Hall agenda while promoting his efforts to speed L.A.'s economic recovery. "You set the agenda for us," Garcetti told a gathering of L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce members in the City Hall rotunda. "It's time to put the recession in the rear view mirror," he added. "It's time for us, as Los Angeles, to be an example for what a modern city can be, and an economy of a modern city can look like."
Los Angeles Times