Law Enforcement

Suspect in Pomona SWAT officer's slaying charged with capital murder
A suspected member of a motorcycle gang accused of killing a Pomona police SWAT officer has been charged with capital murder, prosecutors announced Thursday. Along with the murder charge, David Martinez, 36, faces additional gun and gang allegations, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney's office.
Los Angeles Times

Alleged DUI driver charged with murder in Ventura deputy's death
A driver who was allegedly drunk when police say he fatally struck a Ventura County sheriff's deputy along the 101 Freeway was charged Thursday with murder, prosecutors said. Kevin Hogrefe, 25, of Camarillo, was also charged with felony hit and run in connection with the death Tuesday of Deputy Eugene Kostiuchenko, Ventura County Dist. Atty. Gregory Totten announced.
Los Angeles Times

Man robs four, makes kidnap victim drive during pursuit, police say
A 24-year-old man was arrested early Thursday after allegedly robbing two couples at gunpoint in East L.A. then kidnapping one of his victims and forcing her to drive him during a police chase into San Bernardino County. The man, who police have not identified, was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and armed robbery.
Los Angeles Times

Halloween safety for trick-or-treaters emphasized by LAPD
Police and fire officials were on hand at Murchison Street Elementary School Thursday morning to talk about Halloween safety to students and parents. Los Angeles police said they want all kids to be properly prepared. Halloween may be all about dressing up, eating candy and having fun, but safety should be everyone's No. 1 priority.
ABC7

Body found on trails near Bell Canyon Park in West Hills
A body was found Thursday on trails near a West Hills park. The body was found about 5:10 p.m. in the area of Vanowen Street and Valley Circle Boulevard, near Bell Canyon Park, said Officer Jane Kim of the Los Angeles Police Department's Media Relations Section. No information was made available about the age and gender of the deceased, how long the remains were believed to have been at the location or if foul play was suspected in the person's death.
City News Service

LAPD warns of 'shoulder surfer' accessing ATM accounts in Panorama City
Detectives released security photos Thursday of a man suspected of accessing a bank customer's ATM account to withdraw $500 after the patron walked away from the machine. The crime occurred at a Bank of America ATM at 8324 Van Nuys Blvd. in Panorama City on Sept. 1, the Los Angeles Police Department Mission Division reported.
My News LA

LA increases use of probation for non-violent offenders - but still trails others
New data from the Los Angeles District Attorney's office suggests that Los Angeles County prosecutors are beginning to embrace split sentencing for low-level felons - though they're still far behind Orange and Riverside counties. Under California's realignment law in 2011, low-level offenders can serve half their time behind bars, and the rest on mandatory probation where they can access rehabilitation services. Advocates say it reduces recidivism and reduces jail crowding.
KPCC

LAPD partners with foundation to provide a ball for each child
The Los Angeles Police Department's Topanga Division has partnered with a San Fernando Valley organization to encourage children to participate in sports. LAPD and the Grab a Ball and Play Foundation held a golf fundraiser Monday at the Woodland Hills Country Club to raise money for the police department's children's program.
Post-Periodical

LAPD Chief Beck & Councilman Bonin address concerns over Venice Beach Boardwalk
On Thursday at the behest of City Councilman Mike Bonin, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck paid a rare visit to the Venice Beach Boardwalk area to hear from residents and business owners about the state of squalor and the lack of safety along the boardwalk. After taking a quick minute to be photographed with the LAPD Venice Beach detail, a crowd of French tourists literally rushed in and bombed the photo.
Venice 311

Los Angeles Airport shooting lessons linger
A year after a man walked into Los Angeles International Airport with an assault rifle and vendetta against security screeners, efforts are still underway to prepare for such attacks. In reviewing the Nov. 1, 2013, shooting, which left a Transportation Security Administration officer dead and three other people injured, the nation's third-busiest airport found it was ill-prepared to communicate with passengers and the public; lacked security cameras in key locations; and had not provided ample training on emergency procedures to workers.
Associated Press

Accused Pa. cop-killer Eric Frein captured
Eric Frein, suspected of killing one Pennsylvania trooper and wounding another in a September ambush, was captured Thursday after 48 days on the run, the state police confirmed. The 31-year-old Frein, who was one of the FBI's 10-most-wanted fugitives, reportedly was armed when U.S. marshals found him at a hanger on an abandoned airport in Tannersville.
USA Today

Vote No on Proposition 47

Why law enforcement opposes Proposition 47
There's a reason why those of us in law enforcement, business leaders and crime victim advocates all oppose Proposition 47. This initiative may sound like a common sense approach, but in reality Prop 47 is a dangerous package of ill-conceived policies wrapped in a poorly drafted initiative that will endanger San Diegans.
Times of San Diego

City Government

L.A. officials: No active quake fault under Hollywood development site
The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety has signed off on geology reports that found that no active earthquake fault runs under the site of a proposed 16-story development just east of the Millennium Hollywood project.
Los Angeles Times

15 firms seek Los Angeles trash franchises
In a major change of how Los Angeles collects and disposes of trash, the city received bids from 15 trash companies seeking to win exclusive rights in 11 trash franchise zones being created as a way to expand recycling efforts, city officials announced Thursday. The bids will be analyzed and submitted to the Board of Public Works for approval before going to the City Council and Mayor Eric Garcetti.
Los Angeles Daily News