Law Enforcement

LAPD honors officers who went 'Above & Beyond' in call of duty
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck honored dozens of police officers Thursday for their "exceptional stories of bravery and heroism", according to officials. A number of city officials and Hollywood producers were also on hand for the "Above & Beyond" Medal of Valor and Purple Heart awards ceremony at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood, such as City Attorney Mike Feuer, City Controller Ron Galperin and members of the production teams for TV's "Major Crimes" and "The Closer".
CBS LA

Rash of shootings frightens South L.A.
The killings started early Sunday morning, with a 30-year-old man gunned down behind an apartment complex. By Monday night, four more people lay dead in a series of shootings across South Los Angeles. The violence continued Wednesday. A car-to-car shooting wounded two people, including a teenage girl who was shot in the head. A few hours later, someone opened fire on a group attending a gathering to remember a man recently killed in a car accident.
Los Angeles Times

Police searching for hit-and-run driver who struck LAPD officer
A Los Angeles Police Department officer sustained minor injuries after being struck by a hit-and-run driver Thursday afternoon in Rosemead, according to a California Highway Patrol official. The officer was hit in the carpool lane on the eastbound 10 Freeway near Del Mar Avenue around 4:45 p.m., CHP Officer Rubio said. Officials were searching for a black Toyota Camry with tinted windows and white lettering in the read window. The driver was believed to have exited the Walnut Grove Avenue exit.
KTLA

Man dies after crashing car into Venice middle school
Authorities Thursday identified a 44-year-old man who was killed when his vehicle ran through a T-intersection and struck the wall of a Venice middle school. Speed was believed to have been a factor in the crash, which occurred around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, said Los Angeles Police Department Officer Emilson Saint Julien. The vehicle struck a wall of the Mark Twain Middle School in the 2200 block of Walgrove Avenue.
City News Service

Teen arrested, Panorama City man killed in possible street race
A teenage boy suspected of involvement in a fatal street race in North Hollywood was in custody Wednesday and facing homicide charges, police said. The boy, who is 16 or 17, was arrested after a man was killed in a crash during a street race in the 13000 block of Sherman Way. Samvel Aldzhikyan , 33, of Panorama City, was ejected from his 1964 Chevrolet Impala after it left the road, struck a lamppost and then a business sign around 7:30 p.m. Monday, said Los Angeles police Sgt. Russell Carr.
City News Service

Wounded San Bernardino Police Officer Gabriel Garcia regaining consciousness
Police Officer Gabriel Garcia is regaining consciousness, nearly two weeks after being shot in the line of duty, Police Chief Jarrod Burguan said at a vigil Thursday night. "Within the last 24 hours he's started to regain consciousness," Burguan said, to applause that he followed with caution. "He's still in very critical condition." In fact, Burguan said, Garcia's ability to hang on so far is "a miracle," but he sounded hopeful as he told a crowd gathered to call for an end to violence that Garcia's family and the Police Department deeply appreciate the community's support.
San Bernardino Sun

After tough audit, Metro moves to strengthen transit police oversight
Following a bruising audit that criticized the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for failing to reduce violent crime on Metro trains and buses, transportation officials Thursday proposed new regulations to tighten oversight of the lucrative policing contract. In a motion proposed by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, the chairman of the county Metropolitan Transportation Authority, board members asked for several new Metro staff members who would keep tabs on key contract benchmarks, including fare evasion, system safety and response times.
Los Angeles Times

Economy

Fast-food protests: Dozens of workers arrested in strike for higher pay
Dozens of fast-food workers from Los Angeles to Manhattan were arrested as they escalated a fight for better pay Thursday with strikes, rallies and acts of civil disobedience. Police took 10 people into custody after the protesters linked arms and sat down in front of a McDonald's in downtown Los Angeles. The sit-in capped a midday march through the urban core by hundreds of workers and their supporters.
Los Angeles Times

City Government

L.A. City Hall East building renamed for former Mayor James K. Hahn
A Los Angeles City Hall building was renamed Thursday for Superior Court Judge James K. Hahn, who served as mayor between 2001 and 2005. Hahn, who presides over traffic court, said Thursday that his years in political office were "a distinct honor and privilege." Hahn is the only person who has been elected as L.A. city controller, city attorney and mayor.
Los Angeles Times