Law Enforcement

Fallen officers honored at LA County's 45th Annual Memorial Ceremony
The 45th Annual Los Angeles County Peace Officers' Memorial Ceremony was held in Whittier Wednesday morning. The ceremony, which took place at the Sheriff's Training Academy and Regional Services Center, commemorated the lives of peace officers killed in the line of duty while serving the residents of Los Angeles County in 2013 and 2014. Wednesday's ceremony paid tribute to Sgt. Leonard R. Luna, Jr. of the Hawthorne Police Department and officers Nicholas C. Lee and Officer Christopher Cortijo of the Los Angeles Police Department.
CBS LA

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck OK after car crash in Simi Valley
Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck emerged unscathed from a multi-car crash that landed several people in the hospital Wednesday, officials said. The crash took place about 7 p.m. on the 118 Freeway at Yosemite Avenue in Simi Valley, LAPD Cmdr. Andy Smith said. Beck's city-issued SUV was involved in the collision with up to five other vehicles, officials said.
NBC4

Another woman attacked in Griffith Park
For the second Wednesday morning in a row a woman was attacked in Griffith Park. While last week's crime was described as an attempted sexual assault on a hiker, today's was said to be a robbery, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. At this point cops are saying that today's robbery didn't appear to have a sexual component, but the situation is still under investigation, LAPD Officer Sally Madera said. Likewise, she said, any possible connection to last week's assault is still being probed.
LA Weekly

LAPD seeks West Valley phone robbers
The Los Angeles Police Department West Valley Division is again asking for the public's help to identify two men who are now linked to at least three electronics store robberies last month. The men are accused of robbing two RadioShack stores. The first robbery occurred April 11 at 9 p.m. in the 20100 block of Sherman Way in Winnetka. The second took place April 24 at 9:15 a.m. in the 17600 block of Vanowen Street in Lake Balboa. On April 25, they struck a Skye Wireless store at 2:50 p.m. in the 4400 block of Van Nuys Boulevard in Sherman Oaks.
West San Fernando Valley Post-Periodical

Decision on release of 'pillowcase rapist' to Palmdale postponed
A Judge postponed a decision Wednesday on whether to release the so-called pillowcase rapist to the Palmdale area despite hearing objections from at least a half-dozen residents. Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Gilbert Brown opened his courtroom for a day and heard testimony from Antelope Valley residents concerned that Christopher Evans Hubbart may soon be residing in an unincorporated area east of Palmdale after his release.
Los Angeles Times

Public Safety

4 major phone carriers providing text-to-911
The four major U.S. wireless phone companies are providing emergency texting 911 service as of this month to any local government that wants it and has the capability to use it, a big step toward moving the nation's emergency dispatch system out of the voice-only technology that dates to the 1960s. Local governments in 16 states are using it, according to the Federal Communications Commission, and Vermont became the first to offer the technology statewide Monday.
Associated Press

Cybercrime

FBI's Comey says cybercrime a top priority after China attacks
James B. Comey, the new FBI director, was visiting the bureau's field office in Indiana recently and was struck by how the invention of the automobile gave old-time Midwest bank robbers like John Dillinger a faster getaway. Today, Comey's FBI is more concerned with cybercrime, and it is that murky world of Internet theft that gave the director pause Wednesday to imagine a new kind of thief who can steal fortunes from the comfort of his own bedroom.
Los Angeles Times

Election 2014

L.A. County election officials try new methods to fill 'urgent need' for poll workers
With a state Assembly bill allowing permanent legal residents to serve as poll workers in effect since January, Los Angeles County election officials are hopeful that this sizable demographic will help fill "an urgent need" at polling stations throughout the county. Officials have reached out to various community groups to make sure they are aware of the change in the law, which significantly expands the pool of people who can be tapped to serve and provide language assistance at the polls, said Efrain Escobedo, government affairs manager for the Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters.
Los Angeles Daily News

City Government

Los Angeles City Council approves budget to fund more fire services, neighborhood prosecutors
Angelenos can expect to see more neighborhood prosecutors and enhanced fire services under an $8 billion budget tentatively approved by the Los Angeles City Council Wednesday. The spending plan will increase the Los Angeles Fire Department's budget by $22 million to pay for firefighters, ambulances and equipment. The City Attorney's Office will also receive funds to hire nine additional prosecutors to deal with medical marijuana clinics and nuisance issues like graffiti.
KPCC

CBS2 Investigation: Some repair crews not in a hurry to fix city streets
While the city of Los Angeles is looking into raising taxes in order to fix potholes, CBS2's hidden cameras captured what repairs were really being made on the streets. The City of Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services said there is only enough money in the budget for 12 crews to cover the entire city. CBS2 investigative reporter David Goldstein, however, said some crews didn't seem to be in any kind of hurry to fix the streets.
CBS2