Law Enforcement

LAPD Ramping Up Security on 4 th of July Due To ISIS Threats
Law enforcement will be on high alert this Fourth of July weekend from coast-to-coast over fears ISIS supporters in the United States may heed the group's call to carry out attacks. "The threat stream is very high. In fact, we don't think it's been this high since 9/11," Los Angeles Police Deputy Chief Michael Downing said. The Los Angeles Police Department, as well as local law enforcement across the country, are on heightened alert, increasing security measures as concern grows of radical extremists in the U.S.
ABC 7

LAPD conducting special ops at city's most dangerous intersections
The Los Angeles Police Department is using officers from its various traffic divisions to conduct a series of special operations on the Westside and Hollywood Wednesday in hopes of improving safety at intersections considered to be among the city's most dangerous. The goal of the operation is to reduce fatalities and injuries through education and enforcement, said Sgt. Jay Hom of the Emergency Operations Division.
mynewsLA.com

LAPD Bike Officer Injured After Losing Control of Bicycle in Sherman Oaks
An LAPD bicycle officer was injured after losing control of his bike and falling in Sherman Oaks Wednesday afternoon in what police initially called a “traffic collision.” A report of an injury came in at 3:15 p.m. at Deerhorn Drive and Woodcliff Road, according to Bryan Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
KTLA 5

Man accused of killing LAPD officer in Harbor City pleads not guilty
A Harbor City man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges that he purposely rammed a Los Angeles police car, killing the officer driving it and seriously injuring his partner. Mynor Varela, 21, entered his plea in Long Beach Superior Court to charges of murder, vehicular manslaughter causing great bodily injury, assault on two police officers and leaving the scene of an accident. He also faces a special allegation that he killed a police officer. Judge James Otto ordered Varela to remain in custody without bail and scheduled him to return to court on July 20, Deputy District Attorney Geoff Lewin said.
Daily Breeze

City Officials Crack Down On Illegal Fireworks Before 4th Of July
City officials Wednesday announced efforts to crack down on illegal fireworks just days before the Fourth of July. According to City Attorney Mike Feuer, no fireworks are allowed within the city limits. Law enforcement officials are taking a zero tolerance approach, and will issue criminal charges to those who break the law.
CBS Los Angeles

Public's Help Sought To Locate Serial Church Burglar In LA
Deputies Thursday sought the public's help to identify a male suspect who burglarized churches in the Hacienda Heights and Rowland Heights areas. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the burglaries occurred during the day when churches were open to the public. Officials said the suspect stole large amounts of cash from locked donation boxes within the churches over the past year.
CBS Los Angeles

Hate crimes, homicides declined in California in 2014
Most crime rates declined across California in 2014, including hate crimes and homicides, the state attorney general's office said Wednesday. Hate crimes offenses were down nearly 9 percent last year, the office said in one of several new reports. Crimes based upon the victims' sexual orientation dropped more than 13 percent, to 187 last year, while hate crimes targeting a particular race, ethnicity or national origin decreased nearly 16 percent to 412 statewide.
The Sacramento Bee

California Officer Killed in Pursuit Crash
Police Officer David Nelson was killed in a vehicle crash while involved in a vehicle pursuit at approximately 2:40 am. Bakersfield Police Department, Officer David Joseph Nelson (ODMP photo)The pursuit started when he attempted to conduct a traffic stop of an unlicensed vehicle. He chased the car for several blocks until his cruiser left the roadway and struck a retaining wall and a utility pole at the intersection of Mt. Vernon Avenue and Panorama Drive, causing the engine compartment to ignite. Responding officers located his vehicle and removed him from the wreckage before the patrol car became engulfed in flames.
Law Officer

Don't buy gun-shaped cellphone cases, authorities implore
Police and prosecutors in New Jersey are asking people to please not buy a cellphone case that looks like a gun. "It's a terrible idea, and it's very dangerous," New Jersey state police said on Facebook. "We strongly recommend that you do not use this product. "Officers do not have the luxury of time when making split-second decisions, while interacting with the public." A county prosecutor's office echoed the message.
Los Angeles Times

City Government

Marqueece Harris-Dawson sworn in as Los Angeles city councilman for 8th District
Marqueece Harris-Dawson was sworn in today as the councilman for the 8th Council District during a City Hall ceremony attended by Mayor Eric Garcetti and other top city officials. Harris-Dawson is a former executive director of Community Coalition, a nonprofit organization founded by Rep. Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles, in an attempt to improve economic conditions in South L.A.
Los Angeles Daily News

State Government

Calif. Bill to Create Yellow Alert, Apprehend Hit-and-Run Perpetrators Passes Senate Transportation Committee
It was a close call, says Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Glendale). After surviving a “no” recommendation from the chair and some strong lobbying efforts against AB 8, the Calif. Senate Transportation and Housing Committee passed legislation to reduce the number of hit-and-runs on an 11-0 vote. The legislation by Gatto will institute the “Yellow Alert” system, allowing law-enforcement officials to engage drivers in helping identify and apprehend hit-and-run drivers.
California Newswire