Law Enforcement

LAPD mourns officer killed by driver suspected of being on drugs
The Los Angeles Police Department was in mourning with news that a veteran motorcycle officer hit by a driver suspected of being high on cocaine Saturday had died of his injuries. Chris Cortijo, a 27-year veteran of the department, died Wednesday afternoon. Jorge Villegas, the commanding officer of the LAPD's Valley Bureau, said he first met Cortijo in 2006 and over the years had "observed him to be an absolute quality, outstanding individual," adding that Cortijo was "very humble."
Los Angeles Times

LAPPL responds to death of LAPD motor officer
On behalf of all members of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, President Tyler Izen responded to the tragic news that the Los Angeles police motorcycle officer who was struck by a DUI driver in Sun Valley on Saturday has passed away. "Our hearts are broken," Izen said. "The LAPPL is saddened to learn of the tragic death of Officer Christopher Cortijo who was killed upholding the oath he swore: To protect his community. We extend our deepest condolences to the Cortijo family, friends and coworkers. Officer Cortijo paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to his community. We ask that the community please keep Officer Cortijo and his family in their prayers, and remember the sacrifices paid by law enforcement officers to keep our communities safe."
LAPPL News Release

Tributes pour in for fallen LAPD Officer of the Year
A line of officers escorted the coroner's van carrying the body of an LAPD officer who died days after he was hit by a driver suspected of driving under the influence of cocaine. The procession for Officer Chris Cortijo started at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills and ended at the coroner's office in Boyle Heights. Tributes began pouring in for Cortijo, a "teddy bear" of a man, who was widely loved. Mayor Eric Garcetti ordered city flags to be flown at half-staff, the second time in little over a month he has done so.
NBC4

LAPD cop killed in suspected DUI had made 3,000 drunk-driving arrests
Veteran Los Angeles Police Department motorcycle officer Chris Cortijo, who died Wednesday after being hit by a driver accused of being high on cocaine, had arrested more than 3,000 DUI suspects in his career, Police Chief Charlie Beck said. "The ultimate irony is that Chris spent his life keeping other people safe from people who drive under the influence," Beck said. "The ultimate in tragedy is that he gave his life up because of somebody who callously ... operated a vehicle under the influence."
Los Angeles Times

LAPD officer wounded in station shooting is released from hospital
The officer who was shot multiple times when a gunman opened fire inside a Mid-City Los Angeles police station Monday night has been released from the hospital, officials said Wednesday. The officer, identified only as a seven-year department veteran, was released about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday and is recovering at home, LAPD Officer Wendy Reyes said. The officer sustained multiple bullet wounds in the shooting, which occurred about 8:30 p.m. Monday at the LAPD Wilshire Division on Venice Boulevard near South La Brea Avenue.
Los Angeles Times

Security questions arise in wake of LAPD West Traffic Division shooting
Security and safety questions are at the forefront following a shooting earlier this week at the LAPD's West Traffic Division. Monday night's gunfight between two officers and 29-year-old suspect Daniel Christopher Yealu was the first time in recent memory a gunman walked into a Los Angeles station and started shooting, according to veteran officers. Police Chief Charlie Beck said the seven-year veteran desk officer who was hit three times and was not wearing a bulletproof vest is lucky to be alive.
CBS LA

Police: Volvo 740 wagon involved in deadly Pacific Palisades hit-and-run
In a case that left family members and elected officials asking for the public's help and investigators grasping for clues, police announced Wednesday that they had determined the type of vehicle involved in a hit-and-run crash that killed a 23-year-old man in Pacific Palisades in December. David Pregerson was in the roadway on Chautauqua Boulevard when a car collided with him at about 3 a.m. on Dec. 27, according to a press release from the Los Angeles Police Department.
KTLA

Scam Alert

Phone calls threatening jail time, demanding money for missing jury duty are a scam, Sheriff's Department warns
Authorities Wednesday warned Southlanders that scammers have been calling people and telling them there is a warrant for their arrest for failing to appear for jury duty, then demanding money from them to "pay the fine." The callers have falsely claimed that they are employees of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, according to sheriff's Lt. Sheri Anderson of the Fraud & Cyber Crimes Bureau.
City News Service

City Government

Declaring L.A. in decline, commission offers plan for jobs, City Hall reform
Three months after it painted Los Angeles as a metropolis stumbling into decline, the Los Angeles 2020 Commission offered 13 recommendations Wednesday that it said would "put the city on a path to fiscal stability and renew job creation." The group of prominent business, labor and civic leaders called on elected officials to enact a wide-ranging series of policy initiatives-increasing the minimum wage, combining giant twin harbors into a single port, altering oversight of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and bolstering efforts to promote tourism.
Los Angeles Times

Councilman Price seeks quicker action on 'problem properties'
L.A. City Councilman Curren Price is pushing for Los Angeles to shut down "problem properties" more quickly after "destitute conditions" were found at a Hoover Street office building converted into apartments. "It took the involvement of three city departments to close this one property," Price said in a council motion submitted Wednesday. "These city departments need to be able to better communicate and coordinate their efforts to close these properties in a timely manner, because residents should not be living in these substandard conditions."
Los Angeles Times

Animal traps that grip or snare are banned in L.A. as 'inhumane'
The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to ban traps that snare or grip coyotes, bears, foxes and other animals in the city, deeming such traps inhumane. Under the new rules, commercial trappers cannot use traps that grip or snare any part of the animal, with the exception of traps set for rats, mice and other small rodents. Angelenos are banned from using any trap "that maims or causes the inhumane death or suffering of any animal," the rules state.
Los Angeles Times