Law Enforcement

Mexico World Cup fans force ramp shutdowns on 5 Freeway in Pacoima
Crowds of soccer fans celebrating Mexico's World Cup win poured onto the streets in the Pacoima area, forcing authorities to shut down offramps and onramps on the 5 Freeway and declare a citywide police alert. The crowds were facing off with officers near Laurel Canyon and Van Nuys boulevards. Late Monday, officers declared an unlawful assembly and ordered crowds to disperse. Around the same time, the Los Angeles Police Department issued a tactical alert, which requires officers citywide to remain on duty. Shortly after 11:30 p.m. Monday, LAPD's Foothill Division declared a "peaceful end to the unlawful assembly."
Los Angeles Times

Venice skateboarder who claimed LAPD beat him loses case
A Los Angeles federal jury unanimously rejected a civil rights lawsuit by a Venice skateboarder who claimed several Los Angeles police officers wrestled him to the ground, beat him and punched him in the head. "This is one of those examples of the video looking worse than the facts," said Tyler Izen, president of the police union, the Los Angeles Police Protective League. "At the time, it was all, how could the LAPD do this? Well, a jury examined all the facts and found the LAPD wasn't liable and its officers did nothing wrong here."
Los Angeles Times

Man fatally shot at East LA Mexican restaurant
Detectives Monday were investigating the fatal shooting of a patron at an East LA Mexican restaurant. The shooting happened around 8:15 p.m. Sunday at Rincon de Guayabitos in the 6000 block of Whittier Boulevard, the Los Angeles Police Department said. Authorities said an argument between the suspect and a customer escalated and led to the shooting. "The two exchanged words and the suspect produced a handgun and shot the victim," Lt. Dave Coleman said.
CBS LA

Evacuated Van Nuys residents return after apparent meth lab is cleared
Residents evacuated from about two dozen apartments overnight in Van Nuys were allowed to return Monday morning after authorities secured what they called a methamphetamine lab, where fumes sent five police officers to the hospital. The Los Angeles police officers were responding to reports of a man screaming in the 14800 block of Sherman Way about 10 p.m. Sunday.
Los Angeles Times

Drones in L.A.: South Bay man flies aircraft to monitor police
A South Bay man who routinely records police activity has started using an unmanned drone to help with filming, just the latest example of how law enforcement is increasingly encountering the technology on the civilian side. Torrance resident Daniel Saulmon, 42, has been flying his drone around the South Bay for about a month. He created a website on which he regularly posts videos shot at police DUI checkpoints and traffic stops that he says helps monitor possible abuses of power.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD begins patrolling remote areas with all-electric stealth motorcycles
The Los Angeles Police Department has gone electric - sort of. KNX 1070s Jon Baird reports the LAPD has purchased three electric off-road motorcycles as part of a continuing effort to upgrade the department's technological edge. The sleek new Zero MMX electric motorcycles are being used as part of the LAPD'S fleet of off-road patrol units in more remote areas of the San Fernando Valley and Griffith Park, according to Lt. Andy Neiman.
CBS LA

168 children rescued from sex trafficking, FBI says
Law enforcement officials rescued 168 child victims of commercial sex trafficking in a nationwide sweep during the past week and arrested 281 alleged pimps, the FBI said Monday. The recoveries and arrests took place in 106 cities as part of a week-long campaign targeting truck stops, casinos, websites that advertise dating or escort services and metro areas populated by strip clubs and pornography stores.
USA Today

Visiting the Los Angeles Police Museum
I first learned about the Los Angeles Police Museum from Joan Renner, a writer, lecturer, and social historian with expertise in the area of historic Los Angeles crime. I met Joan on Esotouric's Eastside Babylon tour and during one of our conversations she mentioned her volunteer efforts at the museum to preserve LAPD history. Since I'd never been to that museum before, she piqued my interest.
Curating Los Angeles

LAPD names mailroom for Pell
The Los Angeles Police Department renamed its Headquarters mailroom for Michael Pell in a ceremony on June 19. Pell, a LASFS member who passed away unexpectedly on February 6, was employed as a clerk in the LAPD's Records & Identification for nearly four decades. His significant other, Joyce Sperling, attended the ceremony. She wrote on Facebook: "He was loved very much by his co-workers and they named the mail room after him."
File 770

Traffic

'Century Crunch' project will shut down a major roadway into LAX for two days in July
One of the busiest intersections in the South Bay will be closed for more than two days in July to allow for the demolition of a defunct railroad bridge, making way for a new light rail line to Los Angeles International Airport. Century Boulevard, a major gateway to LAX, will be shut down for 57 hours at its intersection with Aviation Boulevard in late July, Mayor Eric Garcetti and transit officials said a press conference this morning.
Los Angeles Daily News

City Government

L.A. considering financial assistance for hotel projects
The Los Angeles City Council is looking at providing nearly $180 million in subsidies to two major downtown hotel projects, while also setting the stage for other hotel deals across the city. The council's Economic Development Committee will consider a plan to provide $138 million in assistance to the Frank Gehry-designed Grand Avenue project, which would bring housing, restaurants and a four-star hotel to a site across from Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Los Angeles Times

Powerhouse Fire sparked by power lines, Forest Service says, victims suing DWP
The 2013 Powerhouse fire, which burned through some 30,000 acres and destroyed 53 structures in the Angeles National Forest, was caused by electrical wires, the U.S. Forest Service announced Monday. The agency ruled out all other causes during its investigation, Forest Service spokesman John C. Heil III said in a statement.
Los Angeles Daily News