Law Enforcement

Los Angeles, We have a problem
Citywide violent crime - including murders, attempted murders, rapes and assaults - is up almost 10 percent in 2014 compared to the same period last year. In raw numbers, that's more than 1,500 additional violent crime victims, or about five more per day. Protecting our City, and our officers, requires leadership. Leadership to recognize the outstanding work LAPD officers have been doing amid increased threats to public safety...leadership to present a contract offer that acknowledges that outstanding work...leadership to take action to prevent a further deterioration of officer morale and to retain the Department's highly-skilled workforce. Leadership to do what's right.
LAPPL Blog

Alleged serial killer faces more charges in Valley shootings
A Sylmar man described by authorities as a serial killer was charged Thursday with three murders in connection with a five-day shooting rampage across the San Fernando Valley this past summer. The new charges filed Thursday against Alexander Hernandez, 34, stemmed from three separate shootings on Aug. 24 that left two women and a man dead.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD appoints Commander William Scott as Deputy Chief
LAPD's Commander William Scott will soon take on the title of deputy chief for the Southwest division. For more than 20 years Scott has served the city of Los Angeles as an officer and believes there is more work to be done. "I'm extremely excited about this opportunity. I plan to make the best of it as much as I can and hopefully leave it better than I found it," said Scott.
Los Angeles Sentinel

LAPD prepares for civil unrest following Michael Brown shooting death trial decision
The Los Angeles Police Department is preparing for possible civil unrest, as a grand jury in Missouri decides whether to indict police officer Darren Wilson for the August shooting death of Michael Brown. Law enforcement sources tell the NBC 4 I-Team, the Department has been mandated to wear uniforms until further notice. The order signals a significant event is about to happen. The inter-departmental memo states, in part, "Please ensure all personnel, except Vice and Gang Enforcement Detail, are in uniforms."
NBC4

San Francisco sees sharp rise in property and violent crimes
As San Francisco booms thanks to the tech industry, one side effect has emerged: an increase in crime. The city saw more than 20% jumps in both the rate of property crime, such as thefts and burglary, and the rate of violent crime, such as robbery and assault, between 2012 and 2013. The city's elected public defender, Jeff Adachi, said the jump in property crimes is a concern.
Los Angeles Times

Cyber Security

Experts: Home, baby cameras not secure worldwide
Experts have a message for anyone with a webcam, baby monitor or home security camera: change your password now, because feeds from the cameras are being posted online by a Russian website. The site takes advantage of the fact that camera users receive default passwords to get devices working such as "1234." Many manufacturers also put default passwords online, Britain's Information Commissioner's Office said Thursday.
Associated Press

FBI takes cyberattack fight in new direction
The FBI no longer wants to assign agents to handle cyber crimes based on the victim's location. A single criminal can conduct thousands of cyberattacks in all 50 states simultaneously, said FBI Director James Comey. That's forever altered concepts of individual jurisdiction, and the FBI must adapt, Comey argued. "Notions of traditional 'my division, your division' don't really make sense in that environment," Comey told an industry audience at the Overseas Security Advisory Council annual briefing on Wednesday.
The Hill

Immigration

President Obama's immigration plan to spare 5 million from deportation
Spurning furious Republicans, President Barack Obama unveiled expansive executive actions on immigration Thursday night to spare nearly 5 million people in the U.S. illegally from deportation and refocus enforcement efforts on "felons, not families." The moves, affecting mostly parents and young people, marked the most sweeping changes to the nation's fractured immigration laws in nearly three decades and set off a fierce fight with Republicans over the limits of presidential powers.
Associated Press

In L.A., relief and joy greet Obama's immigration plan
From tiny televisions at home to large makeshift screens on public lawns, Southern Californians gathered Thursday night to listen as President Obama granted temporary deportation relief to as many as 5 million immigrants. Many sighed with relief to finally be able to come out of the shadows. Others seeking broader immigration reform protested, calling Obama's plan far too limited.
Los Angeles Times

City Government

Garcetti pledges to ease building permit process to boost construction
Mayor Eric Garcetti on Thursday announced a new permitting process he said could shave months off the time it takes to build something in Los Angeles. Restaurants, charter schools and major projects costing $10 million or more would be eligible for a new case-management program, a single point of contact to guide such projects through the city's sometimes-Byzantine process of applying for permits and approvals.
Los Angeles Times