Law Enforcement

Dramatic rise in crime casts a shadow on downtown L.A.'s gentrification
Crime has jumped across the city this year, but nowhere has the increase been as large as in L.A.'s hippest new domain: downtown. Here, the forces of rapid gentrification are crashing up against the chronic poverty, homelessness and crime that have long been a part of life in the city center. Police and residents say the influx of new lofts, luxury high-rise apartments, bars and eateries have made new downtown dwellers easy targets for street crime.
Los Angeles Times, KTLA 5

Matthew Johnson is newest member of L.A. Police Commission
Entertainment attorney Matthew Johnson's nomination to become the newest member of the the Los Angeles Police Commission was approved Wednesday by the Los Angeles City Council. Johnson is leaving his post on the Airport Commission to fill the spot vacated by Paula Madison, whose term on the police panel expired.
Los Angeles Daily News

Four LAPD Officers Hospitalized After Patrol Vehicles Collide In Downtown LA
Four Los Angeles Police Department officers were hospitalized on Thursday after their patrol vehicles collided while responding to a back-up call for assistance in downtown Los Angeles. Just before 12:30 a.m., two patrol vehicles responded to aid officers who were in pursuit of a vandalism suspect on foot, according to the LAPD.
CBS Los Angeles

Police warn of kidnapping extortion scam targeting Southland residents
Police in Southern California are warning the public about a series of telephone kidnapping scams that are believed to be originating in Mexico. In a typical scenario, people receive a phone call from a person who says a family member is being held hostage, and the caller vows to hurt or kill the hostage unless money is wired to him, said Officer Jack Richter, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department. Later, family members learn that their loved one was never kidnapped.
Los Angeles Times

Suspect sought in Jefferson Park Church's Chicken robbery
Los Angeles Police searched Wednesday for a gunman who robbed a Church's Chicken in the Jefferson Park area, with detectives hoping a newly released video will help someone recognize the robber. The robbery at the Church's Chicken restaurant at 1811 W. Jefferson Blvd. took place about 10:20 a.m. Sunday, according to the LAPD. The robber entered the restaurant and waited for customers to leave before confronting the cashier with a gun, according to authorities.
mynewsLA.com

1 wounded in shootout between mourners, rival gang at South L.A. funeral
A man was critically wounded Wednesday outside a funeral home after mourners, who were gathered for a service in South Los Angeles, exchanged gunfire with members of a rival gang, police said. Friends and family of 41-year-old Kumase Jefferson, who was shot and killed Aug. 15 in Vermont-Slauson, were standing in the parking lot of the funeral home near 47th Street and Avalon Boulevard at 11:45 a.m. when members of rival gang approached them. Mourners moved toward the gang members, who then fired shots at the group, said Los Angeles Police Lt. John Jenal.
Los Angeles Times

Black cop sues LAPD for retaliation after speaking out about racism
A black Los Angeles police sergeant sued the Los Angeles Police Department on Wednesday, alleging he was the victim of a backlash for speaking out against alleged racism in the department. Sgt. Wayne Guillary's Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit alleges discrimination, harassment and retaliation and is the second such case he's brought against the LAPD. He's seeking unspecified damages.
mynewsLA.com

Downtown Los Angeles Jail Approved After Decade Of Debate
A new jail in downtown Los Angeles has been approved by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors after over a decade of discussions and independent studies, paving the way for better inmate management amid rising crime rates.
Hometownstation.com

Who needs this?' Police recruits abandon dream amid anti-cop climate
Police departments face a recruiting shortage amid a growing anti-cop mood that some fear has taken the pride out of peacekeeping and put targets on the backs of the men and women in blue. Open calls for the killing of police have been followed by assassinations, including last week's murder in Texas of a Harris County sheriff's deputy. Instead of dialing back the incendiary rhetoric, groups including "Black Lives Matter" have instead doubled down at demonstrations with chants of "Pigs in a blanket, fry em like bacon." Public safety officials fear the net effect has been to demonize police, and diminish the job.
Fox News