Law Enforcement

Police officer deaths up 38% in the first half of 2014
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has released preliminary statistics showing a 38% increase in law enforcement fatalities in the first half of 2014 compared to the same time last year. The figures are the first indication of an upward trend in police officer deaths since 2012. NLEOMF researchers compiled the list of fatalities, which includes deaths as the result of assaults, traffic incidents, and on-duty injuries. Of the 63 fatalities through June 15, 23 were gun-related, and 25 are the result of traffic incidents.
Police Magazine

Good Samaritan chases suspected drunk driver near USC, is then stabbed
A good Samaritan was stabbed in the hand after chasing down a suspected drunk driver who had plowed into parked cars near the USC campus overnight Sunday, police said. The stabbing occurred near East 35th Street and Hooper Avenue after the driver stopped their car, said Los Angeles Police Sgt. Deann Maltos. Witnesses reported seeing the driver behind the wheel hit several parked cars near USC and they gave chase, Maltos said.
Los Angeles Times

$50,000 reward expected to be offered in L.A. Amber Alert case
Los Angeles officials are expected to announce a $50,000 reward Tuesday in the suspected abduction of a 2-year-old Boyle Heights boy, which prompted an Amber Alert last month. The Los Angeles Police Department accused Abraham Vargas, 27, of abducting his son Edwin Vargas, 2, on May 23. Edwin's mother had legal custody of the child and told authorities that Abraham Vargas, her ex-boyfriend, took off with the boy in a Nissan minivan in the 1000 block of South Lorena Street.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD: Drone above L.A. Kings fans outside Staples Center wasn't ours
An unmanned drone knocked out of the air outside Staples Center on Friday night as L.A. Kings fans celebrated did not belong to Los Angeles police, despite reports to the contrary, department officials said. "It was definitely not an LAPD device," LAPD Cmdr. Andrew Smith told The Times in an email. "We have not, and will not deploy Unmanned Aerial Systems until we get approval and protocols in place."
Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Police Department adds electric motorcycle to fleet
Zero Motorcycles, the global leader in the electric motorcycle industry, announced Monday that the Los Angeles Police Department purchased the new Zero MMX police/military motorcycle to add to the department's patrol fleet. Powered by the 100% electric Z-Force motor, the Zero MMX was developed to meet the specific requirements of military, law enforcement and security agencies.
Zero Motorcycles Press Release

Parole

California expands parole for elderly, medically frail
California parole officials Monday said the state is ready to begin the early release of elderly and frail prisoners who meet new criteria for parole. The program's details were released publicly for the first time at a meeting of the Board of Parole Hearings. They were ordered by a panel of federal judges earlier this year, as part of required steps the state must take to reduce prison crowding to acceptable levels.
Los Angeles Times

State Budget

Optimistic on economy, California lawmakers OK $156.4-billion budget
Flush with optimism from California's resurgent economy, lawmakers approved a $156.4-billion state budget that expands preschool for children from poor families, increases welfare payments and provides critical funding for building the nation's first bullet train. The state's financial turnaround has allowed the Democratic-led Legislature, with the blessing of Gov. Jerry Brown, to spend more freely just a few years after the recession prompted deep cuts to government services. And if tax receipts outpace expectations, the budget could send even more money to schools, public universities and local governments.
Los Angeles Times

City Government

City Hall still unclear on how many medical marijuana clinics operate in Los Angeles
When Los Angeles voters approved Proposition D last year, they believed they were capping the number of legal medical marijuana shops in the city. However, a report to the Budget and Finance Committee on Monday showed hundreds of illegal dispensaries remain in operation. Under Proposition D, there should be 134 pot shops in operation. Yet, 972 shops are in possession of a business tax certificate.
KPCC

Critics of wage boost for L.A. hotel workers point to earlier pledge
As Los Angeles leaders seek to raise the minimum wage for workers in scores of big hotels, critics are questioning whether the city has followed a regulation that requires officials to first cross several hurdles. Seven years ago, when Los Angeles leaders boosted the minimum wage specifically for hotel workers in the Los Angeles International Airport area, they added requirements for the city to follow before future wage hikes.

Los Angeles Times

L.A.'s mellow response to 2020 Commission's crisis warning
In April, the Los Angeles 2020 Commission presented a stack of recommendations that its members unanimously agreed were essential to overcome the city's "crisis in leadership and direction" and restore growth and stability. The two reports the group ultimately issued - one laying out problems, the other solutions - sounded an alarm. Without action, the commission warned, Los Angeles risked "becoming a city in decline." And yet inaction is precisely what the reports have generated; if anything, city leaders seem more baffled than motivated by the commission's work.
Los Angeles Times