Law Enforcement

The high cost of LAPD cutbacks at LAX
Mayor Garcetti should reinstate positioning LAPD officers on a voluntary, overtime basis at each TSA security checkpoint at LAX as part of corrective actions in response to last November's shooting at LAX, as well as the increase in violent crime reported at the airport. For one of the world's busiest airports, as well as an acknowledged top terrorist target, LAX clearly needs to have the needed sworn personnel to maintain security and keep public safety first. With billions of dollars being spent on construction projects at LAX, this is no time to pinch pennies on safety and security. All those construction projects, after all, will be of little value if people don't feel safe going to the airport to catch a flight.
LAPPL Blog

LAPD seeks public's help to locate missing elderly couple
The Los Angeles Police Department is seeking the public's help in locating a missing elderly couple. Angeles Alamario Alora, 94, and Lina Alora, 85, were last seen Monday at their residence in the 600 block of South Bronson Avenue. Family members say they may be in need of medical care. Lina suffers from dementia, and Alamario suffers from diabetes, in addition to other conditions.
CBS LA

First Latina woman to join LAPD died at 91
The first Latina woman to join the Los Angeles Police Department died last month, authorities said Tuesday. Josephine Serrano Collier, 91, died on Feb. 25 in Tucson, Ariz., according to the LAPD. Collier joined the department in 1946 at the age of 24. "Though she faced many challenges because of her gender, ethnicity and prevailing cultural issues within the Department, Josephine worked many assignments, including foot beats, vice, bunko, juvenile and the Lincoln Heights Jail. Her divisions included Hollenbeck and Central," officials said in a statement.
CBS LA

Four LAPD officers injured in crash released from hospital
Four Los Angeles police officers who were injured in a traffic collision Monday while responding to a call for backup were released from the hospital later in the day, officials said. "One of them suffered a broken rib, and that's all we have," LAPD spokeswoman Wendy Reyes said, referring to the most serious injury. Seven people in total were injured in the collision that occurred at 8:47 a.m. in Glassell Park at the intersection of North San Fernando Road and Fletcher Drive, according to the LAPD.
Los Angeles Times

4 missing Boyle Heights children found at Mexico border, parents suspected in abduction
Four children who were abducted -- allegedly by their biological parents -- from their maternal grandmother's home in Boyle Heights were found safe Tuesday at the U.S.-Mexico border. The children were found by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents about 9:30 a.m., according to Los Angeles Police Department Officer Bruce Borihanh of the Media Relations office. "They are in good health," Borihanh said, adding that LAPD detectives were sent to bring the children back to Los Angeles, where they will be placed in protective custody.
City News Service

Seven-hour standoff ends peacefully in Winnetka when suicidal woman surrenders
A nearly seven-hour standoff with a heavily armed, possibly suicidal woman at a Winnetka residence ended peacefully early Tuesday morning, authorities said. Police initially responded to a call in the 7000 block of Fulbright Avenue around 10:30 p.m. Monday. "She called someone and stated that she wanted to harm herself," said Officer Wendy Reyes of the Los Angeles Police Department's Media Relations Division.
Los Angeles Daily News

Nearly 600 arrested for St. Patrick's weekend DUIs
More than 570 people were arrested across Los Angeles County on suspicion of driving while impaired over the extended St. Patrick's Day weekend, authorities said Tuesday. From 12:01 a.m. Friday to midnight Monday night, at least 570 motorists were arrested by 100 law enforcement agencies in the county for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, according to the Glendora Police Department's Wendy Brewer, a spokeswoman for the agencies involved in the Avoid the 100 DUI Task Force, which ran from Friday night through Tuesday morning.
City News Service

City Government

Los Angeles to consider half-cent sales tax to raise $4.5B for street repairs
Los Angeles' top budget adviser Tuesday recommended going to voters with a half-cent sales tax hike to pay for street and sidewalk repairs. The proposed tax hike would be for 15 years and raise about $4.5 billion for the "Save Our Streets" plan being pushed by City Councilmen Joe Buscaino and Mitch Englander. City Administrative Officer Miguel Santana said it would take an estimated $3.86 billion to fix the "city's worst streets" and about $640 million to repair the "city's worst sidewalks."
City News Service

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti takes stock of his mayoral journey
Mayor Eric Garcetti characterized his first months in office as an effort to set the stage for a permanent mark on jobs and education, calling his role that of a convener or booster. At a breakfast sponsored by Los Angeles Magazine at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel for a group of some 100 people, Garcetti is aware of the criticism he has faced in not being more aggressive but said it is part of his broader strategy to improve the city.
Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles explores connection between Monday's earthquake and local fracking
Three Los Angeles officials called Tuesday for an inquiry to determine if the 4.4 earthquake on Monday could have been caused by fracking at local oil wells. Councilmen Paul Koretz, Mike Bonin and Bernard Parks asked the city departments of Emergency Management and Building and Safety to join with federal and state agencies to explore whether fracking could have been a factor in the occurrence of the earthquake.
Los Angeles Daily News