Law Enforcement

LAPD station shooting suspect was rejected by police academy
The gunman who walked into an LAPD station in Mid-City and opened fire, injuring a police officer at the front desk, has been identified as 29-year-old Daniel C. Yealu of Los Angeles. The reason behind the attack remains unclear. But LAPD Cmdr. Andy Smith says Yealu applied to attend the LAPD academy but was turned down. It was not immediately known when he applied. Officials say Yealu was a security guard at one point and had a permit to carry a firearm, but that permit recently had been canceled for a reason that hasn't been disclosed by investigators.
ABC7

LAPD station shooter had assault weapons at home, in car, police say
The man accused of opening fire in a Mid-City Los Angeles police station Monday night, wounding a police officer, has been identified as 29-year-old man who had access to assault weapons, one of which was allegedly waiting in his car, officials said Tuesday. LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said at Tuesday's Police Commission meeting that the suspect - identified as Daniel C. Yealu -- used a Glock pistol and had another weapon in his car parked at the station.
Los Angeles Times

Pacoima woman pleads not guilty in Sun Valley crash that left LAPD officer comatose
A Pacoima woman pleaded not guilty Tuesday to felony charges in connection with Saturday's alleged DUI crash in Sun Valley that left a veteran Los Angeles Police Department motorcycle officer gravely injured. Prosecutors charged Qaneak Shaney Cobb, 33, Tuesday with one count each of driving under the influence of a drug causing injury to LAPD Officer Christopher Cortijo and possession of a controlled substance, cocaine. The officer, a 26-year LAPD veteran who works in the Valley Traffic Division, was still in critical condition at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center on Tuesday, according to Lt. David Ferry.
Los Angeles Daily News

Separate killings of Lincoln Heights women are related, police say
The killings of two Lincoln Heights women whose bodies were discovered near freeways have been linked through forensic evidence, prompting police on Tuesday to announce a $50,000 reward in the hopes that someone will come forward with information. The body of Michelle Lozano, 17, was found April 25, 2011, along Interstate 5 near the Cesar Chavez Avenue exit, Los Angeles Police Capt. William Hayes said at a news conference.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD commissioner asks for report on antenna tampering
Members of the Los Angeles Police Department failed to inform its civilian oversight board last summer about intentionally broken antennas for police car recording devices, and one of the police commissioners asked Tuesday for a review of the problem and an explanation for the lack of communication. Commissioner Robert Saltzman asked the department's inspector general to find out why the board was never told the antennas were intentionally broken in dozens of patrol cars, most likely by officers who did not want to be recorded.
Los Angeles Daily News

Internet Security

Internet users advised to change passwords due to 'Heartbleed' bug
Following the discovery of a major bug known as "Heartbleed," Tumblr has sent out a note encouraging users to change the passwords for all of their online accounts immediately. The Heartbleed bug makes it possible for hackers to retrieve code from websites and other online services that would give them access to other information, including user data and passwords.
Los Angeles Times

Prison Realignment

Gov. Jerry Brown says 'stimulating' realignment program is working
Gov. Jerry Brown, citing his meetings with law enforcement officials across the state, said Tuesday that "realignment is working." Brown, speaking to reporters after he addressed the annual Crime Victims' Rights rally at the Capitol, called the realignment program, in which low-level felons are kept in county jails rather than sent to prisons, "encouraging and stimulating."
Los Angeles Times

Pensions

San Jose Mayor's incompetence cost $94 million dollars
San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, who has been busy lecturing everybody in the state on how to operate their pension systems, has quite a problem on his hands. Reed's mismanagement and neglect of a major problem in the San Jose pension systems has cost taxpayers and system members well over $94 million dollars the past three years. Reed has long been aware of this problem, having been told both in person and in writing.
PubSecAlliance

City Government

L.A. councilman pushes for convicted workers to lose city pensions
Los Angeles City Councilman Mitchell Englander is pushing for the city to change its rules so that any employee convicted of a felony involving their city job can be required to forfeit their pension. The move comes after The Times reported that a building inspector sentenced to prison in an FBI corruption case would continue to receive his yearly pension of more than $72,000.
Los Angeles Times

L.A. Council acts to prevent halt in funding for community programs
The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to plug a financing gap that threatened community programs once paid for with federal dollars, devoting more than $1.9 million in reserves to help sustain programs that include neighborhood beautification and youth activities. The city has scrambled to figure out how to keep a host of programs running after the Department of Housing and Urban Development told the city it was violating rules governing federal grants, spending more of the federal funding than allowed on "public services."
Los Angeles Times

Garcetti set to deliver his first State of the City address Thursday
Mayor Eric Garcetti will deliver his first State of the City address on Thursday, an opportunity to lay out his vision and plans for Los Angeles more than nine months into his term. The annual speech has been used by past mayors to highlight proposals for new spending and also balancing the city budget -- which currently faces a shortfall of about $242 million. The session will begin at 5 p.m. at the Wallis Annenberg Building at the California Science Center on Exposition Park Drive.
Los Angeles Times