Law Enforcement

Possible kidnapping in downtown L.A.; suspect may be headed to Mexico
Authorities on Wednesday were trying to track down a man who may have kidnapped two people for ransom in downtown Los Angeles before making his way to Mexico. About 8:40 p.m., police received a call of a possible kidnapping at 7th and South Alameda streets, said LAPD Sgt. Gia Rueda. The 911 caller said the man demanded $16,000 for the two victims. "The person reporting it believed that they were headed back to Mexico," Rueda said.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD calls for help in catching female Hollywood robbery suspects
Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department's Hollywood Division Wednesday asked for the public's help in locating two females believed to have committed three robberies. The robberies began on Friday between 9:30 pm and 11:40 pm and occurred at three locations within close proximity of each other - the 1600 block of North Fuller Avenue, the 1400 bock of Vista Boulevard and 1200 block of North Mansfield Avenue.
Westside Today

LAPD issues hot prowl burglary warning for Venice
LAPD Pacific Area continues to see Hot Prowl (victim is in home) Burglaries. Most occur when residents leave windows or doors open/unlocked. Stolen items include smartphones, laptops, jewelry, car keys, and a garage clicker. They have issued a directive: 1. LOCK YOUR DOORS/WINDOWS!! 2. Don't leave valuables unattended near open windows. 3. Install and use an alarm (wireless systems sold online do not require permanent installation).
Yo! Venice!

Do you recognize Sherman Oaks burglary suspects caught on video?
Los Angeles police are seeking tips to identify three burglary suspects caught on surveillance video at a Sherman Oaks home last month. The Sept. 16 break-in took place in the 4700 block of Burnet Avenue. Electronics and jewelry were among the items stolen from the victim's home, according to a Los Angeles Police Department statement.
Los Angeles Daily News

LAPD cites USC students for biking violations
The Los Angeles Police Department on Wednesday handed out tickets to bicyclists who are not complying with biking regulations. Officers on motorcycles stationed themselves behind food trucks around Jefferson and McClintock and distributed tickets to bikers who were riding against traffic.
Annenberg TV News

Two charged in fatal hit and run of pedestrian in wheelchair
Los Angeles County prosecutors have charged the driver of a Cadillac SUV with fatally striking a man in a wheelchair last month in Pacoima and fleeing the scene. Tatiana Cacho, 24, of Pacoima was arrested after detectives received anonymous tips from the public that she was behind the wheel when her vehicle hit 40-year-old Manuel Gonzalez, police said.
Los Angeles Times

Proposition 47

Prop. 47's sentencing reform should go to Legislature, not the ballot
Proposition 47, which would reduce penalties for drug and theft crimes, is yet another initiative that should never have been on the state ballot. The Legislature and governor get paid to deal with such things. And when they do, we're usually better served. Our elected representatives can hold public hearings, engage in thoughtful debate, iron out kinks and compromise. Proposed laws can be filtered through a system of checks and balances.
Los Angeles Times

Local Government

Health agency moving to skid row to aid homeless
A Los Angeles County health agency is moving its headquarters and medical clinic into the heart of skid row in what experts said could become a national model for curbing homelessness. The $18-million Housing for Health program aims to get 10,000 of the county's sickest, most vulnerable people off the streets and into permanent housing.
Los Angeles Times

L.A. officials seek to ease parking problems
Los Angeles officials pushed forward Wednesday with two programs that target one of the city's most ubiquitous problems: finding a place to park. During a downtown committee meeting, City Council members asked transportation officials to test a simplified street parking sign that could replace the classic red, white and green placards, saying that the current, sometimes towering stacks of notices can confuse drivers and unintentionally result in parking tickets.
Los Angeles Times

L.A. City Council introduces plan to encourage urban farming
Two Los Angeles City Council members want to transform empty, blighted lots into flourishing urban farms. A motion introduced Wednesday by Councilmen Felipe Fuentes and Curren Price calls for landowners to receive tax breaks for leasing vacant property for agriculture.
Los Angeles Times

Frozen rats? L.A. city purchases run the gamut
Los Angeles City Controller Ron Galperin unveiled a new trove of data Wednesday showing what the city spends on thousands of purchases, from helicopters and basketballs to frozen rats. The procurement information, available at Control Panel L.A., details more than $1 billion spent by city departments between fiscal years 2011-12 and 2013-14.
Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles' historic - and infamous - Hall of Justice reopens after 20 years
County officials gathered Wednesday to mark the reopening of the long-shuttered downtown Hall of Justice. District Attorney Jackie Lacey and county Supervisors Michael Antonovich, Don Knabe, Gloria Molina, Mark Ridley-Thomas and Zev Yaroslavsky joined Interim Sheriff John Scott to dedicate the new home of the Sheriff's Department and District Attorney's Office.
City News Service