Law Enforcement

Idaho Cop Greg Moore Dies After Suspect Opens Fire, Steals Patrol Car
A northern Idaho police officer shot by a man who stole his patrol car died of his injuries Tuesday evening, police said. Sgt. Greg Moore died at 5:50 p.m. at Kootenai Health in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, police spokeswoman Sgt. Christie Wood said in a statement. Moore was shot about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday after checking on a suspicious person in a neighborhood, Coeur d'Alene Police Chief Lee White said.
NBC News

Man Shot to Death By LAPD In Venice After ‘Disturbing The Peace' Call
A man was shot to death in Venice by Los Angeles police responding to a report of someone "disturbing the peace."The shooting occurred near Pacific and Winward avenues around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday just a block away from the beach. The intersection and surrounding streets were closed for police investigation. Two LAPD officers responded to the scene after people called police saying a man was causing a disturbance outside of a bar. The officers made contact with the suspect, and at some point, there was a struggle between the man and the two officers. That's when the shots were fired.
ABC 7 , NBC Los Angeles

Deprived of the choice to ‘die with dignity': Christy O'Donnell
I don't want to die. But terminal brain and lung cancer are killing me — and painfully. In fact, I recently was admitted to the hospital to treat excruciating pain in my back and abdomen and for a battery of tests. All my life I have zealously guarded my privacy. In fact, very few people even knew I had cancer until People Magazine and The Huffington Post recently interviewed me about my support for the End of Life Option Act (SB 128) and I testified about it to the Senate Health Committee. But as I am dying, I feel I have to speak out so people can understand that California's current laws will prevent my daughter, Bailey, from sitting at my bedside surrounded by our support system, as I take my last breath in our home.
Los Angeles Daily News

Father Sought After Police Say 14-Month-Old Was Taken From Leimert Park
Authorities have accused the biological father of a 14-month-old of abduction after they say the child was taken from Leimert Park. The Los Angeles Police Department said Raniyah Green was taken from the 3300 block of Stocker Place allegedly by her father identified as Randy Green, 29.
CBS Los Angeles

Man's Identity Stolen Within Hours of His Death
A Los Angeles man lost his battle with cancer, and within hours after his death, became the target of identity thieves. His widow, Melinda Williams, told the NBC4 I-Team her story, saying she hopes to protect other families from the ordeal she's endured.
NBC Los Angeles

Hit-And-Run Rampage In South LA
It was 7:30 in the morning. Dozens of children were walking on 41st Drive, between Hoover and Figueroa, on their way to school. Suddenly, a gold color SUV plows it's way down the street, hitting parked cars, barely missing people. LAPD traffic officers who heard the call coming out from dispatch, actually saw the crowd running after the driver, who was being held by residents when police caught up. He was arrested without incident.
MyFOXla.com

Highland Park's gang injunctions up for debate
The definition of a gang injunction ranged from a tool against crime to a violation of civil rights according to a six-person panel that met last week to discuss the impact of gang injunctions in Highland Park. The discussion took place in the wake of at least 19 shootings since February that police have blamed primarily on the Avenues and Highland Park gangs. Meanwhile, the Highland Park Neighborhood Council is contemplating whether to continue supporting the three gang injunctions now in place. Despite the recent shootings, Capt. Jeff Bert of the LAPD Northeast Division, which patrols Highland Park, credits the injunctions for a long-term decrease in crimes committed by gangs. The reports of gang crimes fell from 443 in 2003 to 130 in last year, according to LAPD.
The Eastsider

Deputies Fatally Shoot Man Accused In Deadly Meat Cleaver Attack On Neighbors
A deputy shot and killed a suspect accused of fatally wounding a man and injuring a woman with a meat cleaver, authorities said. The violent confrontation unfolded about 12:35 p.m. Tuesday outside a home in the 10400 block of Enloe Street between North Central and North Santa Anita avenues.
CBS Los Angeles

States, civil liberty advocates collide over police body camera policy
Lawmakers throughout the USA are grappling with just how much the public is entitled to see when a police body camera has recorded a volatile or even mundane incident on video. Since the beginning of the year, lawmakers in at least 15 states and Washington, D.C., have introduced legislation that would limit release of footage from the body cameras through open record laws. The cameras are attached to an officer's clothing, helmet or glasses and capture footage of arrests, traffic stops and other encounters.
USA Today

City Government

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti endorses Carolyn Ramsay in District 4 election
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti endorsed Carolyn Ramsay on Tuesday for the City Council District 4 seat, citing her years of experience at Los Angeles City Hall. “I know Carolyn and have seen her work at City Hall,” Garcetti said in a statement. “I know she will do things her own way and bring new ideas to the City Council.” A longtime aide to City Councilman Tom LaBonge, Ramsay faces health care executive David Ryu in the May 19 election to represent District 4, which stretches from Sherman Oaks to the Miracle Mile.
Los Angeles Daily News

New Los Angeles city department would crack down on wage theft
With Los Angeles lawmakers weighing a hike in the city's minimum wage, a Los Angeles City Council committee moved Tuesday to create a new city division to combat wage theft. The City Council's Economic Development Committee voted to create an Office of Labor Standards to ensure businesses are paying their employees the minimum wage. Advocates argue business owners can cheat workers out of receiving full wages, so raising wages will be meaningless unless the city cracks down on pay theft.
Los Angeles Daily News

Homelessness

$50,000 and growing: Donors give to tiny homes for L.A.'s homeless
More than $50,000 has been donated to a South Los Angeles man who is looking to build more tiny homes on wheels like the one he constructed for a 60-year-old homeless woman. Elvis Summers started his donation campaign for “Smokie,” a grandmother who was homeless and sleeping in dirt. Hoping to give “Smokie” shelter and a reasonable place to sleep, Summers gathered wood, shingles, a window and a door to create a tiny home.
Los Angeles Times