Law Enforcement

LAPD: 11 arrested on drug, weapons violations at Westlake motel
About a dozen people were arrested Wednesday when Los Angeles police raided a Westlake motel, authorities said. A resident at the Royal Park Motel, at 1906 W. 3rd St., said he heard police breaking down a door about 7 a.m. and watched as officers served several warrants at the location. Sgt. Michael Mabie of LAPD's Rampart Division confirmed 11 people were taken into custody for alleged drug, weapons and trespassing violations.
Los Angeles Times

Cops: Group road rage preceded father, son getting shot in Venice
A shooting in Venice's Oakwood neighborhood started as a road rage incident involving possible gang members, police said. The shooting occurred about 8:15 p.m. Tuesday in the 800 block of Indiana Avenue, but Los Angeles police said Wednesday the confrontation that preceded the incident actually started much earlier. A man in his 50s was riding his motorcycle when he was cut off by up to five suspected gang members, who exchanged words with the man, NBC4 reported.
Los Angeles Times

Lawsuit accuses LAPD detective of ignoring cold case evidence
A veteran cold case detective ignored a key piece of evidence in an unsolved slaying, delaying for several years the eventual discovery that Stephanie Lazarus, a Los Angeles police officer, was guilty of the killing, according to allegations in a lawsuit filed Wednesday. The suit was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court by Jennifer Francis, an analyst in the LAPD's DNA laboratory. In it, Francis accused Cliff Shepard, a highly regarded investigator who recently retired, of disregarding the results of DNA tests she performed in the case.
Los Angeles Times

How to keep your kids safe on Halloween
Halloween can be a scary night for children and parents alike. But police in the San Fernando Valley say grown-ups can take a few extra precautions to ensure the screams are due to intrigue, not injury. "Children will be enjoying new experiences that are fun but distracting," said Detective William Bustos of the LAPD's Valley Traffic Division. "They will be wearing costumes made of unfamiliar material, crossing dark streets and walking to the front door of a stranger's home to ask for candy."
Los Angeles Daily News

Driver cited for wearing Google Glass may be first in California
With every technological advance, society must answer certain questions. One of those questions may have been answered Tuesday night on a busy freeway in San Diego County. Yes, you can get a ticket for driving while wearing the new eyewear-like Google Glass wearable computer, which is now being tested nationwide for possible entry into the consumer market. Cecilia Abadie, 44, who lives in Temecula and works at a golf store in San Diego, got just such a ticket Tuesday night after being stopped by a California Highway Patrol officer on Interstate 15 for speeding.
Los Angeles Times

Obama reassures FBI at ceremony for new director
President Obama on Monday assured employees of the Federal Bureau of Investigation that he would fight to keep politics from interfering with their mission as the agency struggles to contend with budget shortfalls. Speaking at the agency's headquarters at a ceremony recognizing James B. Comey as the new director of the FBI, Mr. Obama said it was unfortunate that the broad spending cuts known as sequestration have affected the agency's resources as it tries to adjust to constantly changing threats.
New York Times

Prisons

Health reforms could help California prison spending
California could gain tens of millions of dollars annually in federal reimbursements for prison health care under the nation's new health law, state and federal officials said Tuesday. The money would come from Medicaid reimbursements for inmates who are treated in outside hospitals. It would not help pay for health care within prisons. A study of prison health care spending released by The Pew Charitable Trusts cites an estimate from California's nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office that the state could save nearly $70 million annually.
Associated Press

Public Health

Report shows San Fernando Valley residents have many health needs
Nearly half of all adults living in the San Fernando Valley and surrounding communities have no dental insurance, while coronary heart disease, lung cancer and stroke are the three leading causes of death across the region, according to a health needs report released Tuesday. The report - released every three years by a consortium of more than 100 schools, community organizations and hospitals - found that among the 2.1 million people living in the Valley and neighboring areas, residents continue to struggle with chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and asthma. Obesity rates also rose.
Los Angeles Daily News

Collective Bargaining

SEIU breaks off contract talks with L.A. County
The possibility of a walkout affecting a wide array of public services loomed larger Wednesday after the union representing most Los Angeles County government employees broke off negotiations, charging that county officials have been unresponsive to their demands. "We, the members, we're so ready to strike," said Jessi Gonzalez, a social worker who is bargaining committee member for SEIU 721, which represents 55,000 county workers. "We're in a situation where we don't see any respect from Los Angeles County listening to what we are asking in negotiations.... They won't read our proposals, they show up late to bargaining."
Los Angeles Times

City Government

L.A. to offer reward for information on phony 911 'swatting' calls
In a bid to cut down on fake 911 calls, the Los Angeles City Council voted Wednesday to offer rewards for tipsters providing information that leads to the arrest and conviction those who engage in "swatting." Swatting is a malicious prank in which someone reports that a violent crime, usually involving a celebrity, is underway. The calls prompt a SWAT-team-style response to a location where no crime is occurring. The false alarms tie up LAPD resources and some responding officers have been injured responding to fake calls, officials said.
Los Angeles Times

L.A. sets up command center to combat cyber attacks
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti set up a new command center Wednesday to minimize the threat that hackers, terrorists or foreign enemies will disrupt computer water, power, transportation and public safety systems. In an executive directive creating the Cyber Intrusion Command Center, Garcetti cited Obama administration warnings that computer attacks aimed at critical infrastructure could cause panic and destruction and effectively paralyze the nation.
Los Angeles Times