Law Enforcement

Driver arrested after crash leaves LAPD motorcycle officer in critical condition
A woman was in custody Sunday after a multi-vehicle collision in Sun Valley that left a motorcycle officer in critical condition, authorities said. Qaneak Cobb, 33, of Pacoima was arrested at the scene Saturday for felony DUI drugs, according to a statement from the Los Angeles Police Department. She was booked at Van Nuys Jail and is being held on $185,000 bail. The officer, a 26-year-veteran of the force, was gravely injured in the crash, the statement said. He remained hospitalized in critical but stable condition Sunday at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills.
KTLA

Blood drives being held for LAPD motorcycle officer injured in crash
Authorities say a blood drive is being held to support a critically injured LAPD motorcycle officer. The drive to help the 26-year veteran was being held Sunday at St. Claire Church, located at 19606 Calle Way, in Canyon Country. The next drive is scheduled for April 7, at Holy Cross Hospital in Mission Hills from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Another drive will be held on April 16, at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in downtown Los Angeles from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
CBS LA

L.A. homicides down nearly 23% this year, Chief Charlie Beck says
Los Angeles marked another drop in homicides in the first three months of 2014, a trend police Chief Charlie Beck said he was cautiously optimistic would continue throughout the year. Speaking at a top-floor terrace at the LAPD's downtown headquarters Thursday, Beck said 2014 had so far seen 16 fewer homicides than the first three months of 2013, a nearly 23% drop.
Los Angeles Times

Man brandishing knife shot, killed by police in Tujunga neighborhood
Police officers shot and killed a man in his 20s in a residential neighborhood in Tujunga on Friday afternoon, Los Angeles police said. Officers were called to the 6400 block of Olcott Street (map) at 3:35 p.m. regarding a man with a mental illness who might be suicidal, according to Capt. Sean Malinowski with the Los Angeles Police Department's Foothill area.
KTLA

Man dead after shooting in Van Nuys
A man was found dead following a shooting in Van Nuys Sunday morning, according to LAPD. Around 1:45 a.m. the Los Angeles Police Department received numerous calls of shots fired near Kester Avenue and Lemay Avenue, Capt. Ivan Minsal with the Van Nuys Division of LAPD said. Upon arrival officers found a man dead in an apartment's underground parking structure in the 6700 block of Kester Avenue, Sgt. Matthew Jacobik with LAPD Van Nuys Division said.
KTLA

LAPD to introduce mental health protocols
The LAPD Commission recently revised the way it evaluates police shootings. The LAPD now reviews an officer's actions in the moments leading up to the incident along with the officer's use of force. Focus no longer is limited to the justification of the use of deadly physical force at the time of the shooting itself. Only one line was added to the existing use of force policy. The new policy makes it clear that an OIS can be found in violation of the department's deadly physical force policy if an officer's mishandling of the situation led to the shooting.
PublicCEO

LAPD Devonshire investigates mail theft
The Los Angeles Police Department Devonshire Division is investigating recent mail thefts in the Chatsworth and Winnetka areas. Mail packages were stolen early Wednesday afternoon in the 8800 block of De Soto Avenue and the 9800 block of Jovita Place. Video surveillance captured a woman in her late 20 placing an item on the door step and taking the mail packages. She was seen leaving the area in a white Chevrolet/GMC sport utility vehicle.
Post-Periodical

Venice drum circle crowd: 3 arrested by LAPD
Police made three arrests while dispersing the drum circle at the Venice Beach boardwalk Sunday night. One person was arrested for throwing a bottle at officers. Police were watching for trouble after a Facebook page called for hundreds of people to join the circle in solidarity. This comes after a confrontation with police a few weeks ago when the crowd became unruly.
ABC7

City Government

City of Los Angeles' tax amnesty program brings in $24.3 million in overdue payments
A tax amnesty program run by the city last year brought in nearly five times the amount originally predicted in all categories, from business taxes to parking enforcement. "The program was a huge success, generating approximately $24.3 million from 9,246 businesses," Finance Director Antoinette Christovale told the City Council in an update required by the program.
Los Angeles Daily News