Law Enforcement

No robberies for one week in some LAPD areas unusual, police say
No robberies were reported in Arleta, Panorama City, Sylmar, North Hills or Mission Hills last week, the head of detectives at the Los Angeles Police Department's Mission Station said Monday. "Frankly," I can't remember another week when that happened, not even Christmas week," Lt. Paul Vernon said.
City News Service

Crash involving LAPD patrol car leaves 3 injured, including 2 officers
Three people were injured, including two Los Angeles Police Department officers, after a crash involving an LAPD patrol car in the Exposition Park area of South L.A. Sunday night, authorities said. The crash occurred near the intersection of West Jefferson Boulevard and South Western Avenue. Both officers and the civilian driver were taken to a local hospital for complaints of pain, according to LAPD Sgt. Hendley Hawkins.
KTLA

L.A. County sheriff's deputies test 4 types of body cameras
As a patrol deputy at Carson station, Dennis Conway carried an audio recorder to document what happened when he stopped or arrested someone. The recorder was his own - he was among a sizable group of Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies who carry their own personal devices to protect themselves from false allegations.
Los Angeles Times

Tensions high as ambush suspect evades capture
A 10-day manhunt for the survivalist accused of ambushing a Pennsylvania State Police barracks has narrowed to the rural area where he grew up and his parents still live, but the suspect has managed to elude capture despite the efforts of hundreds of law enforcement officials. State police have been closing roads in the Canadensis area as they hunt for 31-year-old Eric Frein, who's charged with killing Cpl. Bryon Dickson on Sept. 12 and seriously wounding another trooper outside the Blooming Grove barracks.
Associated Press

DMV

California DMV hiring 900 to serve immigrant drivers
California's Department of Motor Vehicles is on a massive hiring blitz as it prepares for a new customer base: an estimated 1.4 million immigrant drivers living in California illegally. AB 60, a new law taking effect Jan. 1, allows immigrants to apply for licenses despite their lack of legal status. DMV spokeswoman Jessica Gonzalez said the agency has hired more than 400 people and plans to bring on another 500.
KPCC

Legislation Veto

B rown veto message: $35 school traffic fine was actually lots higher
A bill to add $35 to fines for traffic violations in school zones sailed through both houses of the Legislature without any opposing votes. The money was earmarked for school safety programs. Who could possibly be against that? Gov. Jerry Brown. And he had a reason. In his veto Friday of SB1151 by Sen. Anthony Cannella, R-Ceres, Brown said the legislation would actually increase the cost of tickets in school zones not by $35, but by $129 - from $237 to $366.
San Francisco Chronicle

Human Trafficking

Los Angeles County, activists launch billboard campaign to combat human trafficking
On Monday, county officials, activists and actor Terry Crews launched a sweeping bilingual billboard campaign designed to combat human trafficking in Los Angeles County. The effort to provide information for victims is being spearheaded by Clear Channel Outdoor, which is donating space on 45 billboards - 25 electronic and 20 traditional - along with 20 posters in bus shelters that feature a toll-free hotline that is staffed 24 hours a day.
Los Angeles Daily News

Homeland Security

L.A. part of new federal effort to deter homegrown jihadists
Los Angeles is one of three cities in which the Obama administration has launched pilot programs aimed at deterring U.S. citizens from traveling abroad to fight alongside terrorist groups and to prevent possible terrorist attacks at home by those returning from fighting in Syria and Iraq, a senior administration official told reporters today.
Los Angeles Times

City Government

Council to vote on $15.37 minimum wage for workers at big hotels
The drive to boost minimum wages in Los Angeles could reach a milestone this week as the City Council votes on a proposal to raise the hourly pay of thousands of workers at big hotels to at least $15.37. That would be more than $2 an hour higher than the minimum wage Mayor Eric Garcetti is advocating for workers citywide.
Los Angeles Times