Law Enforcement

The Dangers of Replica Weapons
As we've said before in this debate, replica guns pose a severe threat to public safety, no matter what color they are. What's to stop a hardened criminal from painting a real weapon the same bright color? Many fully operational firearms are manufactured and disguised in the colors these regulations allow, and guns can be altered aftermarket to look even more like toys. This is an issue our officers already encounter on an all too regular basis. Accordingly, officers must rely on their training and assume any weapon, regardless of the color, is fully loaded and capable of shooting live rounds.
LAPD.com

Community Comes Together to Get Hero Officer's Home Ready for His Return
At his house, Garcia was met with volunteers — many of whom have never met him before — who have been working to make sure his home has everything he'll need to be able to get around when he is able to return home. "I went through that one point where I needed help and somebody helped me. I like giving back," said Curt Ferraro, who was there with a group from Home Depot, which contributed materials.
NBC Los Angeles

Hermosa welcomes new police captain
Most people hope for a good boss when they start a new job. For Hermosa Beach's new Police Captain Milton McKinnon, working under Chief Sharon Papa was the biggest factor in accepting the job.
Easy Reader News

Rescued from L.A. River, really ‘Lucky' dog meets his LAFD saviors
A dog plucked from the rain-swollen Los Angeles River earlier this year was reunited for the first time Thursday with the firefighters who carried out the dramatic helicopter rescue. Newly monikered Lucky, an 18-pound Welsh corgi mix, and his adoptive owner, Rachel Dalby, visited the Los Angeles Fire Department's Air Operations Center to thank the rescue crews.
Los Angeles Daily News

1 in 5 riders face unwanted sexual behavior on L.A. Metro, survey says
More than one in five Metro passengers were subjected to unwanted sexual advances or behavior while riding Metro trains and buses in Los Angeles County during the first half of 2014, according to a new survey. As part of a semi-annual customer review, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority asked more than 22,000 bus and rail passengers if they had experienced "unwanted sexual behavior including, but not limited to, touching, exposure, or inappropriate comments" over a six-month period.
Los Angeles Times

Hollywood Bomb Scare Driver Just Out of Jail
The driver whose reckless behavior caused a bomb scare in Hollywood Thursday is a serial criminal who was let out of jail just days ago. Pharaoh Gillis, 31, has been in and out of county lockup four times in the last three months, Los Angeles Police Department said. He is currently being held on $20,000 bail. His dangerous antics led to much of the area around Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue near the Oscars venue being restricted Thursday afternoon as police investigated a possible bomb threat involving a car, snarling traffic into the evening commute.
NBC Los Angeles , KTLA5

Charles Manson follower could get parole
California officials are expected to consider parole Thursday for a follower of cult leader Charles Manson who has spent 45 years in prison and been denied supervised release 17 times. Robert Beausoleil, 67, originally was sentenced to death for the 1969 slaying of musician Gary Hinman, but it was commuted to life in prison when the California Supreme Court ruled the death penalty unconstitutional in 1972. If parole officials recommend his release, the decision will be reviewed by the entire parole board. Gov. Jerry Brown could also block his parole. In August, Brown blocked the release of Bruce Davis, 72, who was convicted in the slayings of Hinman and stuntman Donald “Shorty” Shea. The parole board had found that Davis was suitable for parole based on his age and good conduct in prison.
Los Angeles Daily News

Public's help sought to identify man found floating off Newport Beach
The Orange County Sheriff's Department released a facial reconstruction drawing of a man Thursday whose body was discovered floating off the Newport Beach coastline two years ago in an effort to get the public's help in identifying him. The man may have suffered head trauma and had been weighted down with a 35-pound iron dumbbell.
Los Angeles Times

South Los Angeles shooting suspect surrenders, gun found
A suspect was in custody today on suspicion of wounding a man in a shooting in South Los Angeles, police said. The attack took place near the intersection of 84th Street and Vermont Avenue about 11:10 p.m. Wednesday, said Los Angeles police Sgt. Robert Grant of 77th Division. “The victim was transported to a hospital in stable condition,” Grant said. “His wounds were not life-threatening.” Officers, he said, arrived at the scene a couple of minutes after the shooting was reported. “They established a perimeter and began a search of the area,” Grant explained. “About an hour into the search, the male suspect peacefully surrendered and was taken into custody.”
Los Angeles Daily News

Sheriff's Department Trying To Locate Couple Who Gave Missing Woman A Ride Home
Authorities hope the public can help them identify a couple they believe gave a missing woman a ride home five days ago. The Orange County Sheriff's Department says Erica Melissa Alonso, 26, and her date made friends with a couple at the Sutra Lounge in the early morning of Feb. 15. The photo that accompanies this article was recorded that evening at the Sutra Lounge, authorities said. Around 1:30 a.m,. Alonso and her Valentine's evening date (her 45-year-old boyfriend) were offered a ride to his home in the couple's red Scion FRS, near Culver Drive and Deerfield Avenue in Irvine.
CBS Los Angeles

Unions

L.A. teachers union declares impasse in contract talks
The union representing Los Angeles teachers on Wednesday declared an impasse in protracted contract negotiations with the nation's second-largest school system. L.A. Unified has offered a 5% raise retroactive to July 1, 2014. United Teachers Los Angeles is seeking an 8.5% one-year increase.
Los Angeles Times