Law Enforcement

L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti tackles LAPD contract, DWP rate hike
Mayor Eric Garcetti threw himself into a variety of city issues Monday as he returned from vacation - from looking at ways to resolve the stalled contract with LAPD to reopening Sunset Boulevard after the Westwood water main break to reiterating his opposition of a Department of Water and Power rate hike. "I am very heartened that we are still at the table," Garcetti said of contract talks with police officers. "As I said, we are committed to doing the right thing for the public by getting more officers out there by paying overtime and allowing detectives to solve their cases."
Los Angeles Daily News
ABC7

National Night Out Against Crime events planned throughout Los Angeles
Law enforcement officials across Los Angeles are inviting everyone to join the festivities Tuesday in their community celebrating the 31st annual "National Night Out Against Crime." L.A. police, the Sheriffs and Fire departments will be part of a series of national events where an estimated 34 million people across the country are expected to take part in live events ranging from music concerts to movies under the stars.
Los Angeles Daily News

LAPD purchase of horse owned by chief's daughter is probed
The Los Angeles Police Department's civilian watchdog is investigating the circumstances surrounding the agency's acquisition of a horse owned by Chief Charlie Beck's daughter, who is an officer assigned to the department's equestrian unit. This year, the Los Angeles Police Foundation, which raises money the LAPD uses to buy equipment and resources, paid Beck's daughter, Brandi Pearson, $6,000 in exchange for George, a 10-year-old quarter horse, said Cecilia Aguilera Glassman, the foundation's executive director.
Los Angeles Times

Woman leads police on high speed chase in Van Nuys that ends in collision
A woman driving an allegedly stolen SUV led officers on a short but fast pursuit in Van Nuys until a collision helped stop her, police said Monday. The chase lasted three to four minutes and ended around 9:50 p.m. Sunday at Sherman Way and Kester Avenue, said Stacy Ball, a Police Service representative at the Los Angeles Police Department's Van Nuys Station. The officers began chasing the Honda SUV when they noticed it was on their list of stolen vehicles, Ball said.
Los Angeles Daily News

One-eyed suspect in double murder outside Panorama City 7-Eleven behind bars
A suspected gang member is being held on $1 million bail in connection with a July 17 shooting outside a Panorama City 7-Eleven that left two men dead and another injured. Angel Santana, 29, was taken into custody Saturday night after LAPD Mission Division officers, following a trail of gang intelligence, located him at the Palm Tree Inn Motel in North Hills. He was booked on suspicion of murder while detectives continued their search for a second suspect.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD seeks help to solve slaying of young Wilmington man
Los Angeles police are seeking public help to solve the killing of a 19-year-old man who was gunned down in Wilmington last week. Israel Gonzalez was shot about 10:30 p.m. Friday in the area of Opp Street and Lecouvreur Avenue, the LAPD reported. Gonzalez died at a hospital. No motive was known, and no arrests have been made. Anyone with information on the crime is urged to call homicide detectives at 310-726-7881, or (877) LAPD-247.
Torrance Daily Breeze

Twin brothers who allegedly robbed at least 20 Starbucks stores together ordered to stand trial
Twenty-six-year-old twins Jason and Devan Jackson each found jobs. Jason worked at a Starbucks in the Florence area and Devan worked as a guard for Ameriquest Security. But prosecutors allege the pair quit those jobs and went to work together, using Devan's security uniform and Jason's knowledge of Starbucks operations to commit 20 robberies at the coffee shops across the South Bay and Southern California, as well as two Shakey's restaurants and a 7-Eleven store.
Torrance Daily Breeze

Pensions

Judge orders pension initiative off ballot
A judge on Monday ordered an initiative that would phase out the county pension system off the November ballot. Ventura County Superior Court Judge Kent Kellegrew found that the initiative proposed by leaders of the Ventura County Taxpayers Association could not be used to withdraw from a statewide county retirement system. "Reduced to its most basic components, this case involves the question of whether or not a county, through the initiative process, may withdraw from a statewide system enacted by the Legislature," he wrote in a final decision issued Monday.
Ventura County Star

Legislation

Calif. Senate seeks to outlaw fees by websites for removing mugshots
Website operators would be prohibited from charging Californians a fee to take down booking photos posted on the sites under a bill given final legislative approval Monday by the state Senate. The measure, which goes to Gov. Jerry Brown for consideration, is in response to a proliferation of websites that post mugshots of people arrested on suspicion of committing crimes even if they are never charged or are found not guilty.
Los Angeles Times

City Government

L.A. councilman wants developers to build covered walkways on sidewalks
Given the increasing number of sidewalks being blocked by downtown construction, Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar is asking colleagues to consider changing municipal codes to require that workers at least build covered walkways to ensure public safety. "Our vision is to have a downtown that is pedestrian friendly," Huizar said Monday. "To have more people walking, exploring and getting out of their cars. And we want to make sure we have policies in place that make that happen as easily as possible."
Los Angeles Times