Law Enforcement

LAPD deployed 'ghost cars' to meet staffing standards, report finds
Los Angeles police deliberately falsified records to make it appear that officers were patrolling city streets when they were not, an investigation by the LAPD's independent watchdog has found. The deception occurred in at least five of the department's 21 patrol divisions, according to the Police Commission's inspector general, who released a report Friday on the "ghost car" phenomenon.
Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Daily News

22-year-old man dies in Panorama City shooting
A shooting on a secluded street in Panorama City Sunday left a 22-year-old man dead and two suspects on the run, Los Angeles police said. The gunfire was reported about noon in the 14600 block of Novice Street, east of Van Nuys Boulevard, according to Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding offer of the Mission Detective Division.
City News Service

Man arrested in Van Nuys pedestrian fatality
A 22-year-old man was behind bars Sunday, suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol when his SUV struck and killed a 22-year- old woman as she walked on a Van Nuys sidewalk. The crash happened about 11:50 p.m. Saturday on Sepulveda Boulevard near Victory Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles Police Department's Valley Traffic Division.
City News Service

Search continues for driver who fatally struck woman in South L.A.
Los Angeles County coroners' officials on Sunday identified a woman killed last week by a hit-and-run driver in South Los Angeles. The victim was identified as Diane Dupree, 56, of Los Angeles. The fatal accident occurred about 9:40 p.m. Friday near the intersection of Crenshaw Boulevard and 63rd Street, police said.
Los Angeles Times

$50,000 reward offered in shooting death of transgender woman
Officials on Friday announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the early-morning killing of a transgender woman during what police said was a street robbery gone bad. Authorities are also looking for a possible witness who was with Aniya Knee Parker at the time she was killed.
Los Angeles Times

Tattoo artist killer sought by LAPD
Authorities are seeking the killer of a well-known tattoo artist gunned down during a fight with a man in North Hollywood. The shooting occurred about 5:50 pm Thursday in the 6300 block of Laurel Canyon Boulevards, near Victory Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Michael Pebley, 40, of Tujunga died at the scene, coroner's Assistant Chief Ed Winter said.
Westside Today

Home in Reseda robbed by men posing as police officers
Four men posing as police officers made off with $20,000 worth of jewelry, cash and other items from a home invasion in Reseda Friday night. The robbery occurred around 8:15 p.m. in the 19400 block of Vanowen Street, between Tampa and Corbin avenues, Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. David Madof said.
City News Service

Wheelchair stolen from transient in Canoga Park, police say
Authorities say two males are being sought in connection with the theft of a wheelchair from a transient in Canoga Park. The incident in the 2100 block of Roscoe Boulevard happened about 9:10 p.m. Friday, according to Los Angeles police. Police say the suspects pushed the man out of his wheelchair and then stole it.
CBS LA

Police looking for woman missing from downtown Los Angeles since September
Police on Friday sought the public's help in locating a 45-year-old woman who went missing last month in downtown Los Angeles. Was last seen about noon on Sept. 17 in the 100 block of Los Angeles Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
My News LA

Proposition 47

Prop. 47 would cut penalties for 1 in 5 criminals in California
One in five California criminals could get a break under proposed new sentencing laws before voters this fall, but the measure is unlikely to produce big benefits for schools and communities, as its name suggests. Proposition 47, billed as the "Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act," would reduce penalties for some of the most common crimes in California: drug possession, petty theft, possession of stolen goods, shoplifting, forgery and writing bad checks.
Los Angeles Times

Pensions

Defined contribution pension plans more costly, study finds
Converting large public sector pension plans into defined contribution savings accounts for employees could cost governments up to 77 per cent more to provide the same retirement benefit for workers, a report argues. A study sponsored by the Canadian Public Pension Leadership Council, an association of large public pension funds, says governments considering converting their traditional defined benefit pension plans would face higher administration costs because defined contribution plans cannot be run as efficiently.
The Globe and Mail

City Government