Law Enforcement

100 days, 100 nights: How LAPD is dealing with rumors, gangs and fear
Recently, South Los Angeles was in the spotlight after social media rumors promised 100 days and 100 nights of retaliation after a 27-year-old man was shot and killed there. The rumors turned out to be just that, but they came during a surge in gang violence. The Times' Nicole Santa Cruz sat down with the LAPD's top cop in South Los Angeles, Deputy Chief Bill Scott, to talk about gang violence, rumors and crime.
Los Angeles Times

Ezell Ford's family holds memorial a year after his death
The family of Ezell Ford, whose fatal shooting became a local rallying cry against police killings, held a memorial service Saturday afternoon to observe the one-year anniversary of his death. The service was held at Inglewood Park Cemetery and attended by friends and family. The 25-year-old African American man, who had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, was killed during a confrontation with Los Angeles police officers on Aug. 11, 2014.
Los Angeles Times

Police Seek Tips On Beating Near Koreatown
Authorities on Sunday were asking for the public's help in identifying the person, or people, suspected of badly beating a 23-year-old man and leaving him at the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Vermont Avenue.
CBS Los Angeles

Los Angeles Mayor signs confiscatory magazine ban into law
In 60 days, there will be no such thing as a legally grandfathered civilian-owned magazine capable of holding more than 10 rounds in Los Angeles. Mayor Eric Garcetti signed the citywide ordinance Friday prohibiting the ownership of what the state deems large-capacity detachable firearm magazines. The controversial measure was introduced by City Councilman Paul Krekorian and passed the council by unanimous vote on July 28.
Guns.com

Police Search for Gunman After Man in His 20s Is Shot in the Head in Echo Park
Police were searching for a gunman Saturday who shot a man in the head in Echo Park, officials said. The victim, who was described as a Hispanic man in his 20s, was shot around 2:55 a.m. near Echo Park Avenue and Delta Street (map), Los Angeles Police Department officials said.
KTLA 5

Los Angeles police search for hit-and-run driver suspected in Hollywood crash that injured 7
Los Angeles police are searching for a hit-and-run driver who ran off and left his family behind after allegedly causing a crash that injured seven people, including two small children, in Hollywood. Fire Department spokeswoman Katherine Stewart says that the injured include a 1-month-old boy, a 2-year-old boy, a 16-year-old girl, and three adults.
FOX News

Revisiting the Watts riots 50 years later: ‘the explosion was almost predictable'
Six days of rioting — which eventually prompted the deployment of the National Guard and the declaration of an 8 p.m. curfew — claimed the lives of 34 people, including 25 blacks, injured more than 1,000 and resulted in more than 3,900 arrests and some $40 million in property damage. About 600 buildings were damaged or destroyed by arson, vandalism and looting in what became a 46-square-mile combat zone.
Los Angeles Daily News

L.A. County jail itself poses hurdle to helping mentally ill inmates
In most parts of Men's Central Jail, there is no natural light, only views of cell bars or scrums of inmates crowded in bunk beds pushed together end to end. Toilets back up because of the antiquated 50-year-old plumbing system. Many men get out of their cells for only three hours a week. All the while, they have to remain vigilant to avoid attacks from other prisoners and, in some cases, the deputies who guard them. For people who already are mentally ill, as more than 10% of Men's Central Jail inmates are, the overcrowded, dungeon-like environment can push them closer to the edge of suicide.
Los Angeles Times

Man shot by police as gunfire erupts during Ferguson protests
A night of protests on the one-year anniversary of Michael Brown's death in Ferguson, Mo., turned suddenly violent Sunday night when gunfire broke out in the crowd and police shot a man who they said had opened fire on a vehicle full of plainclothes officers. The unidentified suspect was listed in critical condition, authorities said, and police searched in vain through the crowd for possibly six people who also had fired weapons in a separate incident several minutes earlier.
Los Angeles Times

Pensions

CalSTRS, CalPERS Deliver One-Two Punch to Pension Measure
After the nonpartisan California Legislative Analyst's Office recently put the proposed pension ballot measure attacking retirement security on the ropes with its finding that it would create “significant uncertainty,” the state's top two pension systems may have delivered knockout punches this week
Fox & Hounds

With labor deal, Los Angeles' pension costs back in the spotlight
For three years, Los Angeles' political leaders have battled city unions over pension costs, with labor groups fighting City Hall's efforts to slash retirement benefits for new employees. Now that fight looks to be easing up. City officials announced last week a lawsuit brought by unions over reduced benefits for new workers is set to be dismissed as part of a four-year labor contract
Daily Breeze