Law Enforcement

The LAPPL applauds L.A. Times firing of cartoonist Ted Rall
So many within the LAPD were pleasantly surprised at the recent firing of Los Angeles Times opinion cartoonist Ted Rall, which we believe was justified based on evidence proving that he lied about his encounter with LAPD officers. We especially appreciate the Times' reaction, as the media in general often seems eager to publish material portraying law enforcement in a negative light. Rall's dismissal stems from his blog posting on the Times' Opinion L.A. site earlier this year in which he described an encounter with LAPD officers in 2001 when he was stopped for jaywalking.
LAPD.com

LAPD Chief Blames ‘Ongoing Dispute' For Apparent Spike In Gang Violence
A weekend outbreak of shootings in South Los Angeles was more likely the result of a long-standing, historic dispute between two rival gangs and not social media posts, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said Wednesday. Beck conceded to reporters at the Los Angeles Police Department's downtown headquarters that while there were four separate gang-related shootings in South L.A. in a short span of time over the weekend, they were related to “an ongoing dispute between two street gangs that have been historic rivals for decades.”
CBS Los Angeles

Deadly Police Shooting In Studio City Appears To Be Case Of Suicide-By-Cop, Beck Says
A deadly police shooting that unfolded in Studio City last week was more likely a case of suicide-by-cop, Los Angeles police Chief Charlie Beck said. “The only conclusion that we can come to at this time is that this was a suicide-by-cop,” Beck said while addressing a wide-range of topics during a media availability on Wednesday.
CBS Los Angeles

Skid row shooting: Autopsy shows man shot six times, had meth in system
A homeless man killed by Los Angeles police officers earlier this year on downtown's skid row was shot six times and had methamphetamine in his system at the time of his death, according to an autopsy report. The March 1 death of Charly Leundeu Keunang, 43, drew international attention after a bystander posted a video of the shooting on Facebook, where it was watched millions of times.
Los Angeles Times

Gunman Shoots at Canoga Park Businesses
Several businesses in Canoga Park were shot at Tuesday, leaving behind broken and shattered windows on Tuesday. Police received a call around 3 p.m. about shootings along Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Devonshire Street. Witnesses reported a man in a white El Camino driving around and firing shots, mostly on Topanga Canyon. Most of the businesses that were hit had shattered glass, while one sushi restaurant had a small bullet hole that may have been caused by a pellet gun or small handgun. According to the LAPD, the shootings appeared to be a random incident.
NBC Los Angeles

L.A. mayor and police chief visit Leimert Park after flare of violence
Terrencé Smith smiled nervously as he plugged in his iPhone on Wednesday afternoon and hit play. A few seconds later, the 15-year-old's voice rang clearly through the entryway of a Leimert Park performing arts center. He hoped his audience — Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Police Chief Charlie Beck — understood the message behind his words. "Mother, mother, answer me: Why are you crying?" Terrencé sang along with the recording, as Garcetti bobbed his head. "Brother, brother, brother, there's far too many of you dying."
Los Angeles Times

Southern California man to stand trial in police killing
A suspected motorcycle gang member charged with killing a Pomona policeman has been ordered to stand trial. The San Gabriel Valley Tribune says a judge ruled Wednesday there's enough evidence to try David Martinez. Prosecutors say the 37-year-old killed Pomona SWAT Officer Shaun Diamond with a shotgun blast during a late-night raid on his San Gabriel home last October.
The Tribune

4-Year-Old Boy Playing With Stuffed Animals Shot To Death In Highland; Suspect Search Underway
A 4-year-old boy playing in a Highland neighborhood was struck and killed by gunfire. A search was underway for the shooter. Sheriff's deputies responded to a call of shots fired in the 7200 block of McKinley Avenue around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. At least 12 shots were fired. Responding deputies found the injured child on scene. He was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
ABC 7

LA becomes 2nd major California city to ban large-capacity gun magazines
The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to ban the possession of large-capacity gun magazines, following San Francisco to become the second major city in California to take that step. The ordinance passed on Tuesday prohibits Los Angeles residents from possessing a handgun or rifle magazine that fits more than 10 rounds. Residents would have 60 days after the law takes effect to remove, sell or transfer such magazines from city limits in compliance with state law, or to surrender them to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Aljazeera America

Pensions

California public pension proposal would create ‘uncertainties,' analyst says
Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor said this week he doesn't know what would happen if a new public pension ballot proposal becomes law. “There is significant uncertainty as to the magnitude, timing, and direction of the fiscal effects of this measure and its effects on current and future governmental employees' compensation,” Taylor wrote in a Tuesday letter to Attorney General Kamala Harris. “... The magnitude and timing of these effects would depend heavily on future decisions made by voters, governmental employers, and the courts.”
The Sacramento Bee

LAO Deals a Blow to Pension Measure's Chances
The Legislative Analysts Office may have dealt the death knell to an effort to slash the retirement security of California's teachers, firefighters, peace officers, bus drivers and other public employees this week with a candid assessment of its impact. In its analysis of the measure, being advanced by former San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed and former San Diego City Council member Carl DeMaio, the no-nonsense LAO concluded “There is significant uncertainty as to the magnitude, timing, and direction of the fiscal effects of this measure and its effects on current and future governmental employees' compensation.
Fox & Hounds