Law Enforcement

City Attorney Mike Feuer: Putting public safety first
L.A.'s proactive, results-oriented city attorney walks and talks public safety first. In suing Time Warner Cable last week to collect nearly $10 million he alleged is owed to the City, Feuer noted the money is needed to fund programs that affect the lives of local taxpayers. Mike Feuer showed he clearly has his priorities straight when he said at a news conference last Friday: "The money we allege in this complaint would fund 100 police officers." We appreciate and salute the city attorney and his staff for watching the backs of Los Angeles residents and serving as a role model for all elected officials by putting public safety first.
LAPPL Blog

Hollywood officers running in annual 'Baker To Vegas' relay to honor one of their own
Some Hollywood police officers taking part in this weekend's "Baker to Vegas" race through the desert will be running in honor of Officer Nicholas Lee, who was recently killed in the line of duty. "We've been preparing for this run for months. As a result, we're gonna use Nick's memory to get us over the top," LAPD Hollywood Division Capt. Cory Palka said. Lee died March 7 when his cruiser collided with a heavy duty truck in Beverly Hills. He most recently worked as a training officer at the Hollywood Division. "Nick's 16-year career, he was a selfless servant to the public," Palka said.
CBS LA

Report: California is top crime target in U.S.
California is the top target in the U.S. for international criminal enterprises that operate from safe havens in Eastern Europe, Africa and China, according to a report released Thursday. Along with trafficking in drugs, guns and people, criminals are also turning to cybercrime to target wealthy, innovative businesses and financial institutions in the state, the report by the state attorney general says. "We know that they use technology directly in a way that perpetuates and commits crimes, in particular the crimes of hacking and data breaches and malware," California Attorney General Kamala Harris said as she released the report in Los Angeles.
Associated Press

Meth flowing in from Mexico through border crossings, report says
California has emerged as the major gateway for methamphetamine into the country, with Mexican organized crime groups smuggling an estimated 70% of the U.S. supply through state border crossings, according to a report released Thursday by state Atty. Gen. Kamala D. Harris. The 98-page report on trends in transnational organized crime also cites maritime smuggling, money laundering and criminal alliances between Mexican drug cartels and Southern California gangs as growing public safety threats.
Los Angeles Times

Fake IRS agents calling taxpayers, demanding money in largest phone scam IRS has ever seen
A government watchdog says more than 20,000 taxpayers have been targeted by fake IRS agents in the largest phone scam the agency has ever seen. The IRS inspector general says thousands of victims have lost a total of more than $1 million. As part of the scam, fake IRS agents call taxpayers, claim they owe taxes, and demand payment using a prepaid debit card or a wire transfer.
Associated Press

Driver of car found with pipe bomb in Northridge booked
The man detained after a pipe bomb was found in his vehicle by police in Northridge was booked Wednesday for reckless possession of a reckless device, according to Lt. Jason Zabel with the Los Angeles Police Department. Police pulled over the driver, identified as David Patton, 52, of Encino for driving erratically and found that he appeared "a little bit under the influence of narcotics" and they spotted "burglary tools" in the vehicle, LAPD Capt. Stephen Carmona said.
KTLA

Police, relatives seek public's help in finding missing 79-year-old woman
Police and family members were asking for the public's help Thursday in finding a 79-year-old Los Angeles woman who has been missing for two weeks. Carolyn Hudson was last seen March 6 walking from her residence in the 10000 block of South San Pedro Street, according to a news release issued by the Los Angeles Police Department. She has not been heard from since, and her family is concerned for her safety, police said.
KTLA

LAPD, family want help finding poodle stolen during residential burglary
A recent daytime residential burglary feels more like a kidnapping for a family in Arleta, according to police. The family's 5-pound toy poodle, "Tequila," was stolen during the March 5 a break-in at a home in the 14000 block of Pinney Street, stated news release from the Los Angeles Police Department's Mission Station. "Some callous person broke in through a window and ransacked the home," said LAPD Officer Kelli Pickart in the news release.
KTLA

Homeless

Midnight Mission homeless get haircut, shave and chance at success
Nearly 100 homeless men at The Midnight Mission started their Thursday with a high-end shave and a haircut. And they didn't have to fork over two bits. Each was given a $35 old-time shave kit from van der Hagen Enterprises, along with a "Grooming for Success" lesson on how to bushwhack away years of nubs. Some hadn't had a shave in decades.
Los Angeles Daily News

City Government

Eric Garcetti scraps LAFD hiring process, says it's 'fatally flawed'
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, responding to a barrage of criticism about a Fire Department hiring system that eliminated thousands of qualified applicants, announced Thursday afternoon that he is scrapping the process. "I have determined that the Fire Department's recruiting process is fatally flawed," Garcetti said in a statement. The mayor said he made his decision after he discovered that Fire Department "staff organized special recruiting workshops for LAFD insiders."
Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti's health care proposal angers city workers
Angering some workers, Mayor Eric Garcetti and other city leaders are pushing a plan for civilian employees to pay 10 percent toward their health care premium. Unlike the private sector, many Los Angeles city workers, including Salas, currently contribute nothing toward their monthly premium.
Los Angeles Daily News