Law Enforcement

Three wounded in South L.A. party bus shooting
At least three people were injured overnight when someone opened fire at a party bus driving through South Los Angeles, police said Monday. Gunfire broke out about 11 p.m. Sunday near the 9700 block of South Broadway, said LAPD Officer Sara Faden. The driver of the bus was hit in the eyes by shattered glass, Faden said, but managed to reach LAPD's 77th Street station, about a mile and a half away.
Los Angeles Times

A change of tune for LAPD as community policing makes gains
In the public housing projects of the Watts neighborhood in Southeast, Los Angeles, police seem as determined to make friends as they do to make arrests. "These kids look up to us as a mentor, a father figure, a mother figure, a close auntie," said Officer Tiffany Norwood, who serves in what is called the Community Safety Partnership. It's a change from how police were seen here less than a decade ago.
CBS News

Man who shot wife is killed in subsequent shootout with police
A man was shot and killed by police in Vermont Knolls after he shot his wife and then opened fire on responding officers, authorities said Monday. The man, whose identity was not immediately released, sustained "multiple gunshot wounds" and was pronounced dead outside his home in the 1100 block of West 81st Place shortly after 2 a.m., said Los Angeles Police Officer Sara Faden.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD officers injured in North Hills crash; DUI suspect arrested
A suspected drunken driver was arrested early Monday morning after crashing into an LAPD police cruiser in North Hills, sending two officers to a hospital. The LAPD cruiser was traveling westbound on Lassen Street approaching Hayvenhurst Avenue when a car traveling southbound allegedly ran a red light on Hayvenhurst and collided with the police car, according to police. The incident was reported at 1:25 a.m.
ABC7

Man is tied to Sylmar killing through restaurant receipt, LAPD says
A 23-year-old man pleaded not guilty on Monday in connection with the stabbing death of his neighbor, who was killed in Sylmar and discovered in a parked Lexus set ablaze. Los Angeles police detectives tied Carlo Giuliano Cresci to the killing through a restaurant receipt left in the car and other evidence, police said.
Los Angeles Times

School safety program to tackle truancy, gun violence prevention
City prosecutors said Monday they have a plan to help staff and parents tackle issues surrounding safe passages to school, truancy prevention, environmental safety, parent education and gun violence prevention. City Attorney Mike Feuer introduced the Neighborhood School Safety Program at three local middle schools located in each Los Angeles Police Department Bureau: Barack Obama Global Preparatory Middle School (South Bureau), Joseph Le Conte Middle School (West Bureau), and John H. Liechty Middle School (Central Bureau).
CBS LA

Eric Garcetti to endorse Jim McDonnell for Los Angeles County Sheriff
Mayor Eric Garcetti will endorse Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell for Los Angeles County sheriff, his office announced Monday. Garcetti is set appear Tuesday with the longtime former LAPD officer -- he was second in command to former chief Bill Bratton until he was hired in Long Beach in 2010 -- on the steps of City Hall to lend his support to McDonnell in the Nov. 4 runoff against former Undersheriff Paul Tanaka.
City News Service

Public Safety

With 20 fire deaths in L.A. so far this year, more smoke alarms are urged
After an unusually high number of fire deaths this year, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas announced new initiatives Monday to prevent dangerous fires. Terrazas announced that the fire department is launching a pilot program in Watts in which firefighters will canvas neighborhood blocks to provide smoke alarms and batteries for homes. Detectors and batteries are also available for free at all 106 fire stations in the city, he said.
Los Angeles Times

City Government

Plans for big water slide downtown adjusted to address drought worries
A proposal to set up a 1,000-foot water slide on a downtown L.A. street has been altered to address the concerns of those who say expending thousands of gallons of water is inappropriate during a protracted drought. The city's Bureau of Street Services is still reviewing whether to approve permits for the massive slide planned for Sept. 28 on Temple Street between Main and Los Angeles streets, said Paul Gomez, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
Los Angeles Times