Law Enforcement

Electronic filing of ammunition sales logs with LAPD proposed
A pilot program requiring the sellers of ammunition to send the Los Angeles Police Department electronic reports of all sales is being launched in the hopes of taking the program citywide. Currently, stores that sell ammunition are required to keep logs, though they are printed, and it requires the LAPD to deploy officers to inspect the logs. Under the new proposal, stores would send in electronic versions of the ammo logs, probably on a weekly basis. Councilman Mitch Englander, who is a reserve officer, said he fully supports the proposal.
Los Angeles Daily News

LAPD officer hospitalized after crash in Hollywood Hills
A Los Angeles police motorcycle officer was hospitalized early Saturday in serious condition after colliding with a car in Hollywood Hills, authorities said. The crash occurred just after midnight in the 6800 block of Forest Lawn Drive, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Erik Scott. The officer suffered a broken pelvis when his motorcycle broadsided the rear door of a car at Barham and Forest Lawn, said Sgt. Randy Modrell of the LAPD's Valley Traffic Division, where the injured officer was assigned.
NBC4

Two men arrested after LAPD officers are fired on in Highland Park
A suspected gang member accused of firing multiple times at Los Angeles Police Department officers in Highland Park and an alleged accomplice were arrested Friday after barricading themselves in an apartment building, authorities said. Sgt. Douglas Bowler said officers were on routine patrol in the 200 block of Avenue 57 about 7:30 p.m. Thursday when they observed two men involved in what was described as "possible gang activity." One of the men pulled out a gun and fired multiple rounds at the officers, according to Bowler.
Los Angeles Times

Man barricades himself for three hours in Reseda before surrendering
An armed man barricaded himself inside a building for three hours, and then surrendered peacefully, police said. Police were notified of the suspect in the 7400 block of Canby Avenue at 10:20 a.m., said Los Angeles Cleon Joseph of the Media Relations section. A SWAT team was sent to the incident, which was just east of Reseda Boulevard on Valerio Street. The suspect eventually surrendered without incident at around 2:15 p.m., said Lt. Craig Valenzuela of LAPD's West Valley Division.
City News Service

Good Samaritan helps find suspect in fatal East Hollywood hit-and-run
One person was killed and another arrested - after a Good Samaritan chased him - following an early Friday morning hit-and-run in East Hollywood, authorities said. A driver in a car traveling eastbound on Santa Monica Boulevard near Normandie Avenue struck a pedestrian in a crosswalk about 1:50 a.m., said officer Rosario Herrera of the Los Angeles Police Department. "The suspect fled the location, but was later detained," Herrera said. The male victim, who was not immediately identified, was taken to a hospital, where he died.
Los Angeles Times

Van Nuys skateboarder groped at least three women
Police are looking for a man who allegedly sexually assaulted at least three women in Van Nuys as he rode by them on a skateboard. Three women have reported similar incidents to authorities, and police say they believe it was the same man. All said the suspect approached them from behind on a skateboard and fondled them as they walked down the street. The incidents happened Oct. 10 in an area bounded by Sherman Way, Vanowen Street, Van Nuys Boulevard and Hazeltine Avenue.
Los Angeles Daily News

Immigration

Immigration court backlogs increase 85% over five years
Immigration court backlogs have increased 85% over the last five years, with wait times also increasing to an average of 562 days, according to federal data compiled by Syracuse University's Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse. At 686 days, California has the second-longest wait time. Nebraska has the longest wait time, at 761 days. The national increase in pending immigration court cases, from 186,108 in 2008 to 344,230 in fiscal year 2013, is largely due to an increase in deportations under the Obama administration, said Crystal Williams, executive director of the American Immigration Lawyers Assn.
Los Angeles Times

Prisons

Inmates avoided home detention program by claiming to be homeless
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has for years tried to reduce jail overcrowding and the early release of inmates by placing low-level offenders into home detention and work-release programs. But these programs have largely failed to make a dent, forcing the department to consider more expensive ways to address the problem, such as contracting with other detention facilities to house L.A. County inmates. The most high-profile program required some inmates to serve out their sentences at home wearing electronic monitors.
Los Angeles Times

Driving

A black box in your car? Some see a source of tax revenue
As America's road planners struggle to find the cash to mend a crumbling highway system, many are beginning to see a solution in a little black box that fits neatly by the dashboard of your car. The devices, which track every mile a motorist drives and transmit that information to bureaucrats, are at the center of a controversial attempt in Washington and state planning offices to overhaul the outdated system for funding America's major roads. The usually dull arena of highway planning has suddenly spawned intense debate and colorful alliances.
Los Angeles Times

City Government

Nury Martinez seeks funds for anti-prostitution drive
When she served on the Los Angeles Board of Education, Councilwoman Nury Martinez prided herself on her involvement with each of the schools in her district - getting down in the weeds of governing, if you will. That hasn't changed much since she was elected to the council, except for the issues and problems she's handling. Faced with an ongoing problem of street prostitution in her mid and east San Fernando Valley district, Martinez last week went on a ride-along as police ran a prostitution sting operation.
Los Angeles Daily News

Mayor Garcetti signs law nixing fees on TV pilots filmed in Los Angeles
Surrounded by key grips, stagehands and other Hollywood studio workers, Mayor Eric Garcetti on Friday signed a new law that waives city fees for television pilots that film in Los Angeles. Speaking at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood, Garcetti said the ordinance will help protect local hiring and middle-class jobs. Since taking office, he has made economic growth and curbing runaway film production two of his top priorities. Entertainment workers "represent the half million jobs that are here in the industry," Garcetti said.
Los Angeles Daily News