Law Enforcement

LAPD to be Commended for its Crimefighting, Handling of Protests: Mitch O'Farrell
I commend the LAPD for how they've handled the many incidents of unlawful assembly by the troublemakers, while working with protest organizers who are practicing their First Amendment rights and raising awareness of the real issue. The LAPD should also be commended for working closely with residents across the city over the last 20 years, as community policing, and a focus on gang reduction, has helped transform the force into the best in the country.
Los Angeles Daily News

Crime Check: Lock your doors, Echo Park & Silver Lake; vehicle thefts hit Northeast L.A.
Police are advising Echo Park and Silver Lake residents to take extra precautions against burglars while more than two dozen vehicle break-ins and thefts were reported across Northeast L.A, according to a review of incidents during the past week on CrimeMapping.com. Thieves have also broken into vehicles in Elysian Park north of Dodger Stadium.
The Eastsider

Southland Law Enforcement on Alert after Terrorist Attack in Paris
Southland law enforcement was on heightened alert today following a terrorist attack at a magazine office in Paris that left a dozen people dead. Los Angeles Police Department Officer Rosario Herrera said, however, there are “no local threats.” No extra security was visible outside the French Consulate in West Los Angeles, although one visitor told KNX radio that only one person was being allowed inside the building at a time to apply for visas. As many as three people are believed to have been involved in the attack on the office of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, which has been targeted by terrorists in the past following its publication of cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad. Reports from Paris indicate two gunmen went into the magazine's office and opened fire, killing 10 staffers and two police officers.
Westside Today

$10K Reward for Information on Suspect in NoHo Mail Thefts
For the second time in recent months, mail thieves hit a Toluca Lake condominium complex. Surveillance footage from the condominium complex on Woodbridge Street in Toluca Lake shows two people entering the main lobby. A short time later, the pair leave when one of them, a woman, drops some mail on the way out. The U.S. Postal Service said the woman is a suspect in this mail theft as well as multiple other thefts. "We all feel robbed and violated as you would expect, but more than that we're angry," resident Jina Kettleson said. The theft happened about 6:30 p.m. Monday. Homeowners in the complex said their building is very secure and believe the thieves may have a post office master key.
ABC7

Woman Assaulted by Masked Man Outside Her Home in Glendale
A woman was assaulted by a masked man outside her home in Glendale late Wednesday. She female was pushed to the ground by her a suspected burglar at 1542 Sunshine Drive at around 10:14, Glendale Police Department said. The tall man was wearing all black clothing and a ski mask, and had either been on her property or inside her house. Officers, a helicopter and a police dog searched the area but were unable to find the suspect.
NBC4

Pursuit Driver Rams LAPD Cruisers, Hurts 3 Officers
Three officers were injured when a high-speed pursuit ended with a driver hitting two LAPD patrol cars Wednesday, officials said. The pursuit of the stolen van ended about 4 p.m. near the interchange of the 110 and 5 freeways in Los Angeles' Cypres Park neighborhood, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The driver aimed the vehicle at officers and hit two police cars during the chase. The officers suffered minor injuries. The driver was taken into custody.
NBC4

7 Hurt in Sheriff's Patrol Car Crash
Seven people were hospitalized, including two sheriff's deputies, after a car crash near Palmdale on Wednesday, officials said. A San Bernardino County sheriff's patrol car and a Honda Civic collided on 126th Street East in the town of Pearblossom, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said. The extent of their injuries was not known. Two of the victims were believed to be prisoners, officials said.
NBC4

Man Sought in Armed Jewelry Store at Northridge Mall
A reward was being offered Wednesday for a man believed to be linked to at least two jewelry store robberies, including one that occurred at a Kevin Jewelers at a mall in Northridge. Chris Wolfe reports for the KTLA 5 News at 10 on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015. Kevin Jewelers was offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the robber. Anyone with information was asked to call 877-67-KEVIN.
KTLA5

Detectives Release Sketch of Suspect in Killings of La Verne Couple
Detectives have released a sketch of a man they suspect of beating and stabbing an elderly couple to death in a blitz attack near the front door of the couple's La Verne-area home. Neighbors had noticed the man, whom detectives described as about 5 feet, 7 inches tall and in his late 20s or early 30s, walking nearby with a duffel bag or backpack.
Los Angeles Times

City Government

Political Players to Watch in 2015
Politics in Los Angeles is an ever-shifting beast, and you don't have to be in public office to be a player. The ongoing series of elections, term limits and special interests-tinged fights ensure that things keep bubbling. That's the case again in 2015. The early part of the year will be dominated by Downtown's most intense election in a decade, and the second quarter will see the arrival of new faces in City Hall and the departure of some old ones. Meanwhile, there are a couple big additions to county government. Here are some people and events to watch in the coming year.
Los Angeles Downtown News

Los Angeles Could Learn its 2024 Olympic Fate on Thursday
Los Angeles could learn Wednesday whether it will be chosen as the bid city for the 2024 Summer Olympics, following a meeting of the United States Olympic Committee Board of Directors. Representatives from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston and Washington, D.C., made their final presentations to the USOC board on Dec. 16. The four finalists were selected after a 16-month process that began with the USOC reaching out to about 35 U.S. cities to gauge interest in a bid. At tomorrow's meeting, the board is expected to discuss the merits of each city's pitch and decide which applicant will be submitted to the International Olympic Committee as a host city.
My News LA