Law Enforcement

LAPD's Chief Beck has bigger problems than Waze
So much for the police-spotting peril of Waze, the navigation app that LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said puts his officers at risk by letting drivers know where they are. On my four-mile drive this week from The Times' downtown office to Echo Park, I got three "heavy traffic ahead" warnings from Waze, but no alerts about the presence of officers — not even when I turned onto a street lined with patrol cars and headed into a community meeting that was wall-to-wall with cops.
Los Angeles Times

Fight Over LAPD Body Cam Videos Mounting
Ever since grainy images of Los Angeles police officers beating Rodney King were broadcast nearly 25 years ago, video recordings have come to be viewed by many as the ultimate evidence in cases of disputed police actions.The Los Angeles Police Department is about to take this concept to a new level by outfitting every officer with a body camera that will record their interactions with the public. Officials say the 7,000 cameras will help bring clarity to controversial encounters, guard against officer misconduct and clear cops accused of wrongdoing.
Officer.com

Suspect Crashes Into Building, LAPD Vehicle in Chatsworth
A suspect was arrested Friday after allegedly crashing into an auditorium building and a Los Angeles Police Department vehicle in Chatsworth.The incident occurred at about 5:30 p.m. in the 10000 block of Jumilla Avenue. Officers initially responded to an assault with a deadly weapon call. Upon arrival, the suspect jumped in a car and tried to flee. The suspect made a U-turn and struck the police car.
ABC 7

Sherman Oaks police arrest 3 after teen stabbed to death
A teenager was stabbed to death in what police said was a fight over narcotics with five other males, and police today had three suspects in jail. Jacob Koffman, 17, was fatally slashed behind an apartment building in the 15000 block of Dickens Street, south of Ventura Boulevard between Kester and Noble avenues, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Los Angeles Daily News

$75K Reward Offered in Slaying of Teen Who Was Waiting for Bus in South L.A.
Police released surveillance video and announced a $75,000 reward Friday for information leading to the capture of whoever shot and killed a 17-year-old who was waiting for a bus in South Los Angeles last year. Bert Crump Jr. was waiting at a bus stop on Aug. 22 when a man came up to him and challenged him to a fight, but Crump refused and ran away, investigators said during a news conference.
KTLA 5

Prominent L.A. minister apologizes for sermon comparing cops to the Klan
The top pastor of one of Los Angeles' most prominent churches has apologized for a sermon in which he compared police shootings to Ku Klux Klan lynchings. Pastor J. Edgar Boyd of the First AME Church ignited the controversy during a Jan. 18 sermon.
Los Angeles Times

Riverside Police Honor Officer Killed In Chris Dorner Ambush
The Riverside Police Department gathered for a remembrance ceremony early Saturday to mark the second anniversary of the Christopher Dorner rampage that left officer Michael Crain dead and his partner, officer Andrew Tachias, critically wounded. A dispatcher read a tribute to the fallen officer over the police radio frequency at exactly 1:31 a.m., the exact time when ex-LAPD officer Dorner opened fire on the officers near the intersection of Magnolia and Arlington avenues.
ABC 7

Reward Offered In The Murder Of A 86-year-old Woman
Los Angeles Police Department West Bureau Homicide detectives are asking for the public's help in providing any information that would lead to the arrest and prosecution of the suspect(s) responsible for the murder of Antonia Maria Yager.
Van Nuys News Press

City Government

Los Angeles Introduces Citywide Hit and Run System
Councilmembers Mitchell Englander and Joe Buscaino will join the Los Angeles Police Department, the Department of Transportation to announce the implementation of a hit-and-run mass notification system within the City of Los Angeles. This system will use existing technology platforms such as Nixle, Twitter and Facebook to broadcast to localized communities in the event of a fatal hit and run incident. Additionally, they will be announcing companion legislation to direct the City Attorney to draft an ordinance to offer a standing reward for the apprehension and conviction of those guilty of committing a hit-and-run crimes.
Los Angeles Streets Blog

Candidates for L.A. City Council, District 8
Four candidates are competing to replace retiring Councilman Bernard Parks for the seat covering South Los Angeles communities west of the Harbor Freeway, including Baldwin Hills, Crenshaw and Vermont Knolls. The candidates are Bobbie Jean Anderson, Robert Cole, Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Forescee Hogan-Rowles.To help voters decide who to support in the March 3 primary, the Times asked the contenders to respond to questions on a range of issues.
Los Angeles Times