Law Enforcement

Van Nuys LAPD Officers Deliver Santa's Cheer
Officers of the LAPD's Van Nuys Division have organized a “Toys on Patrol” program for families in need of a helping hand. From now through Dec. 25, patrol officers will personally deliver toys collected from a so-called “Kar 4 Kids” — or “kindness at random.” “While on patrol, officers that see families in need during this holiday season will immediately call Santa Claus for a toy delivery,” said the LAPD, adding, “Presents will not be available to distribute at Van Nuys station.”
Los Angeles Daily News

Detectives Crack Huge L.A. Art Heist; 9 Paintings Recovered
Nine works of art that were stolen six years ago in one of the largest art heists in L.A. history have been recovered by investigators from the Los Angeles Police Department and the FBI, according to court documents obtained by The Times. After an undercover operation at a West Los Angeles hotel in October, federal authorities detained Raul Espinoza, 45, who tried to sell the paintings -- which are valued at $10 million -- for $700,000 cash.
Los Angeles Times

Editorial: Have A Full And Open Debate On Rules For LAPD Body Cameras
The Los Angeles Police Department has committed to outfitting all officers on patrol with body cameras starting next year. The effort was launched last year by Police Commission President Steve Soboroff, but it gained momentum after deadly encounters between police and unarmed black men in Ferguson, Mo., New York City and Los Angeles, and protests over how law enforcement and the criminal justice system treat minority communities. Mayor Eric Garcetti said he will include funding in next year's budget to buy 7,000 cameras with the goal of recording every officer interaction with the public by July 2016.
Los Angeles Times

Pursuit Suspect Surrenders, Taken Into Custody After Chase on PCH
A man driving a possible stolen car led LAPD officers on a chase across city surface streets and two freeways Wednesday evening, before surrendering and being taken into custody. At about 6:45 p.m., officers received a radio call about a possible stolen black BMW. The LAPD initially believe there were two people in the car.
ABC7

LAPD Chief on Theaters Dropping 'The Interview': It's An "Unfortunate" Decision
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck on Wednesday called the decision of the country's top five theater chains to not play Sony's The Interview "unfortunate" and said he plans to ask LAPD officers to spend more time at theaters showing the film.
The Hollywood Reporter

Police Cameras May Not Be Panacea People Are Hoping for: Guest Commentary
There is growing unrest after actions of police “caught on tape” are not prosecuted. Across the country, people took to the streets upset over a grand jury's decision in New York not to indict a police officer in the death of Eric Garner after a video surfaced depicting the now-infamous incident where Mr. Garner dies after a struggle with police. Shown repeatedly on television, within days of the video hitting the airwaves, the first verdict was in: viewers in virtually every American home who had viewed the video found the officers guilty.
Los Angeles Daily News

LAPD Chief Beck Takes Your Questions On Body-Worn Cameras, Violent Crime Stats
In a highly anticipated move, LA Mayor Eric Garcetti announced yesterday [TUES] that the city will buy 7,000 body-worn cameras for LAPD officers. The goal is increased transparency and a check on bad behavior during police-citizen interactions.
KPCC

Protests

Police Union Chief Decries Protests Over Shootings
The president of Philadelphia's police union on Wednesday decried the protests sweeping cities across the country after grand juries in Missouri and New York state cleared white officers who killed unarmed black suspects ."We have to guard against a growing trend in this country to replace due process and the legal system with media-fueled mob rule and sensationalism," said John McNesby, president of the local Fraternal Order of Police lodge.
Philly.com

City Government

South L.A. council calls for elected oversight panel for LAPD
Members of a neighborhood council called on a South Los Angeles-area city councilman to back a ballot measure that would create an elected oversight panel for the Los Angeles Police Department, saying the appointed members of the Police Commission are unable to hold officers accountable for abuses of power.
MyNewsLA.com

Local LA Reaction To US Re-Establishing Relations with Cuba
A group of Cuban immigrants gathered around a table at La Caridad restaurant near Sunset Junction. Everyone was talking about President Obama's announcement: that the US will re-establish relations with Cuba, ending 50 years of policy the pinned American and Cuban politics against each another.
FOX11