Law Enforcement

Memorial star honors fallen LAPD officer
The Los Angeles Police Department unveiled a memorial star outside the Hollywood Station to honor Officer Nicholas Lee, who was killed when his patrol car was hit by a dump truck. The ceremony in front of the station in the 1300 block of North Wilcox Avenue was attended by dozens of uniformed officers, along with Lee's family and friends. "Let us not forget, LAPD is a family, and we support one another even after one of our own passes," LAPD Deputy Chief Terry Hara said. "We will always be there for the Lee family."
NBC LA

South Los Angeles salon employee fatally shot during robbery
Detectives are searching for two suspects who shot and killed a man during a robbery at a salon in South Los Angeles Friday. The armed robbers entered the Western Hair Lounge on the 6500 block of South Western Avenue around 5 p.m. The victim, identified as a salon employee in his 30s, was taken by a private party to a local hospital. He was later pronounced dead.
ABC7

Public's help sought in fatal shooting of homeless man, 52, found near 110 in Highland Park
Police are asking for the public's help locating a suspect or suspects responsible for fatally shooting a homeless man found near the 110 Freeway in Highland Park. A LAPD spokesperson said 52-year-old Ruben Castaneda stepped out of a homeless makeshift tent located off of the northbound 110 freeway near the Avenue 60 on ramp at around 5 p.m. April 22. Investigators say Castaneda was shot multiple times with an unknown caliber handgun by an unknown suspect or suspects.
CBS LA

4 out of 5 hit and runs go unsolved in LA
Nearly four out of every five hit-and-run cases are never solved, according to an internal LAPD memo obtained by the NBC4 I-Team. Police say a lack of witnesses and evidence means that more than half the cases never even merit assignment to an investigating officer. The document says over the past five years, police only investigated an average of 43 percent of hit-and-run cases. Of that number, the memo says slightly less than half get solved.
NBC4

Where are sex offenders? Jessica's Law complicates monitoring
The number of homeless sex offenders has skyrocketed since Jessica's Law went into effect, and after the recent arrest of two serial killer suspects some experts say the law to protect women and children is backfiring. Unable to live near schools and parks, some registered offenders end up living on the streets, making it difficult for them to find jobs and forcing them into areas where they end up congregating.
Orange County Register

Gun Control

In California, a fevered rush for gun permits
Pete Alexander celebrated the news that a federal court in California had thrown out this state's strict requirements for obtaining a concealed-handgun permit - among the toughest in the nation - by calling the Orange County Sheriff's Department to apply for a permit he had long wanted. "I'm a gun enthusiast," said Mr. Alexander, a construction contractor who lives in Fullerton. "Crime is encroaching on our neighborhood, and I don't feel as safe as I used to.
New York Times

City Government

Los Angeles votes to spend millions on sidewalk repairs near city properties
After months of delays, Los Angeles city officials moved Friday to fix sidewalks in front of city properties, but offered scant information on locations of the repairs. The City Council voted unanimously to authorize $10 million for sidewalk repairs, which means parks, libraries and other city-owned properties could see fixes. With the city facing ongoing litigation over its crumbling sidewalks, focusing on pathways in front of city-owned properties was the best approach, officials said.
Los Angeles Daily News

A naked power grab in Canoga Park?
To some in Canoga Park, the Xposed Gentlemen's Club is an unwelcome neighborhood landmark. Residents complain about its sultry billboards featuring scantily clad women. The LAPD tried - and failed - to shut it down, citing complaints of violence, prostitution and drug use. There was a shooting in the parking lot last year; a man's throat was slit in the club a few years back.
Los Angeles Times

Political tug-of-war over Coliseum fireworks show ends with a split
A bitter political tug-of-war over who will host a Fourth of July fireworks show at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum took another turn Friday when City Councilman Bernard C. Parks withdrew his bid to host the show -- and said he would hold a separate event. Parks said he was pulling out because Councilman Curren Price had received a copy of his "blueprint" for the proposed event, which he argued should have remained confidential.
Los Angeles Times