Law Enforcement

LAPD fires detective over comments with 'racial tone'
Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck fired a veteran police detective Wednesday after a disciplinary panel found he made racially charged comments about a black civil rights attorney and a 1997 shooting in which the detective killed a black officer. The decision to fire Det. Frank Lyga was seen as a major test for Beck, who has been accused of being inconsistent in handling officer discipline and previously came under fire for his decision not to terminate a well-connected officer caught on tape uttering a racial slur.
Los Angeles Times

Date rape, domestic violence focus of LAPD's stepped-up campaign
Los Angeles Harbor Division police plan to step up a campaign to combat and raise public awareness about domestic violence and date rape in the coming months. In remarks Monday night at the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council meeting, LAPD Harbor Division Capt. Gerald Woodyard and Senior Lead Officer Eve Wight said the department will be placing fliers in area bars to warn patrons about sexual assault and date rape.
Torrance Daily Breeze

LAPD: 7-year-old boy dies after being run over by ice cream truck
Authorities say a 7-year-old boy has died after being run over by an ice cream truck in South Los Angeles. Police told KCAL9's Erica Nochlin the child was riding an electronic bicycle and was trying to keep up with the truck when he lost control and fell underneath the truck's back wheels. He was subsequently run over. The accident happened on East 97th near Wall streets about 7:15 p.m. Wednesday.
CBS LA

Mr. Incredible, Batgirl brawl in Hollywood; Freddy Krueger keeps peace
The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating a fight between a costumed Mr. Incredible and Batgirl caught on video Tuesday afternoon on Hollywood Boulevard. The scuffle took place in front of the TCL Chinese Theatre and also outside of the Hollywood and Highland entertainment complex.
Los Angeles Times

Vote No on Proposition 47

Joe Garza: Officers just say no to Prop. 47
Unlike what its title suggests, the passage of Proposition 47 will create neither safe neighborhoods nor safe schools. Proposition 47 would automatically reduce current felonies to misdemeanors, hampering the efforts of law enforcement to hold criminals accountable for preying on law-abiding citizens. The reduction of some theft crimes would only embolden those who prey on our community because, in their eyes, the lack of consequences will be worth the risk.
Fresno Bee LAPPL Blog

Proposition 47 poses problems
As our county's chief law enforcement officials, we urge the people of Santa Barbara County to vote "no" on Proposition 47. Despite being referred to as the "Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act," we believe this measure will actually make our neighborhoods and schools less safe. Reducing the penalties for gun theft, possession of date rape drugs, agricultural crime, and other serious offenses will expose our communities to increased criminality.
Santa Barbara Independent

Public Safety

At least 1,500 expected for 4th annual 5K run/walk In Honor of Conor at Sherman Oaks Park
It's been four years since 16-year-old Notre Dame High School athlete Conor Lynch was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver as he jogged across Woodman Avenue in Sherman Oaks. And this year's 4th Annual 5K run/walk In Honor of Conor in Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks War Memorial Park, which will be held Sunday morning, is expected to be the largest event yet. This year's theme is "Super Safe Streets."
Los Angeles Daily News

NTSB recommends banning hands-free cellphones for commercial drivers after truck-train crash
The National Transportation Safety Board recommended Wednesday that hands-free cellphones be banned for all commercial drivers while operating their vehicles after that was determined to be a factor in a truck-versus-train collision that resulted in a 15-car derailment and explosion last year in Rosedale, Maryland.
Los Angeles Daily News

City Government

L.A. council orders up ballot measure to shift election dates
Los Angeles City Council members moved Wednesday to prepare a ballot measure asking voters to change the city's election date, saying it will boost lagging turnout. On a 12 to 1 vote, the council instructed City Atty. Mike Feuer to prepare a measure for the March 3 ballot that would shift city elections from odd-numbered to even-numbered years starting in 2020.
Los Angeles Times

More than 100 Made in America concert tickets given out by Mayor Garcetti's office
More than 100 free tickets to the downtown Made in America concert were given to Los Angeles city departments or city representatives by Mayor Eric Garcetti's staff, according to a state filing provided by his office. A Los Angeles Police Department commissioner who asked for tickets to the Labor Day weekend event received two weekend-pass tickets from Garcetti's office.
Los Angeles Daily News

L.A. City Council backs union contract for Fresno farmworkers
Hundreds of labor activists, farmworkers and their allies marched on Los Angeles City Hall on Wednesday demanding that a Fresno fruit grower recognize a union contract -- the latest turn in a long-standing dispute over whether the United Farm Workers should represent the company's employees.
Los Angeles Times