New Police Alliance Emerges In Opposition To California Use-of-Force Bill
The police groups have also formed the nonprofit  Protect California , an organization that besides promoting the Caballero bill, aims to address issues that often dovetail with deadly police force, including de-escalating police confrontations and responding to mental-health crises. Multiple studies, including a civil grand jury report in Santa Clara County last year, have shown that mental illness factors into nearly half of officer-involved shootings in the state. “Public safety professionals believe more can be done to improve outcomes between police officers and the residents we serve,” said San Jose Police Officers' Association President Paul Kelly in a statement. “Protect California will focus on pulling every lever available to advocate for policies, programs and laws that make us all safer.” “We wanted more than a bill, we wanted to have a plan to impact safety in our communities that was grounded in data and fact based,” said Robert Harris, a board member of the Los Angeles Police Protective League.
Mercury News

Police: Woman Arrested After Hitting NYPD Officers With Car
A woman was arrested after she hit two NYPD officers with her car and led them on a pursuit down the FDR Drive in Manhattan Thursday night, a police official said. Two officers stopped Veronica Jagdeo, 23, in a black BMW sedan with tinted windows at 96th Street and Second Avenue on the Upper East Side at about 8:50 p.m., Chief of Department Terence Monahan said at a news conference Friday. The officers approached the vehicle on either side and while interviewing Jagdeo, they noticed a strong odor of marijuana, Monahan said. Jagdeo then drove off toward the FDR Drive, striking one officer in the left elbow and the other officer in the right hand, Monahan said. 
amNewYork, New York

LAPD Patrol Car And Toyota Prius Crash In Valley Glen
An LAPD officer escaped injury Friday morning in a two-vehicle crash in Valley Glen, authorities said. Sources at the site of the crash said it involved an LAPD patrol car and a Toyota Prius. Paramedics sent to the scene took the male driver of the Prius to a hospital in unknown condition, while a woman who was a passenger in the vehicle refused hospitalization. Both of their identities and that of the officer were not made public. The crash was reported about 5:20 a.m. near Oxnard Street and Woodman Avenue, LAPD Officer Norma Eisenman said. The uninjured officer remained at the scene.
Los Angeles Daily News

Man Shoots, Kills Himself In Beverly Center Mall
A man shot and killed himself inside the Beverly Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 3. Officers responded to reports of gunfire at the mall at about 12:09 p.m., according to Los Angeles Police Department Officer Mike Lopez. He said one man suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound and died. Los Angeles County Coroners are looking into the incident. Further details were not immediately available. Video taken from inside the mall Sunday afternoon show patrons apparently being asked to evacuate.
Los Angeles Daily News

2 Men Shot In Gang-Related Attack In Los Angeles
Two men in their 30s were shot by a lone gunman during a gang-related attack Sunday morning, according to police. The shooting happened at about 9 a.m. in the 1700 block of South Bonnie Brae Street in Los Angeles. The suspect left the area before police arrived. No suspect description was immediately available. Authorities say both victims were taken to a local hospital where they were in stable conditions. The investigation is ongoing.
FOX 11

Police Probe Shooting At Suspected Illegal Marijuana Grow In Van Nuys
Authorities Sunday were investigating a shooting in Van Nuys at a suspected illegal marijuana growth facility. Investigators say they received a call around 4:30 a.m. Sunday, and found blood at the scene on Kester Avenue. The incident occurred just north of Oxnard Avenue. Upon arrival, authorities did not locate a victim, nor a suspect. A short time later, police located a gunshot victim at an area hospital, who was considered a burglary suspect. A shooting suspect remains at large. The incident remains under investigation.
CBS 2

$50K Reward Offered For Tips Leading To Conviction Of South L.A. Hit-and-Run Driver Who Killed Cyclist
A $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a hit-and-run driver who killed a bicyclist in South Los Angeles last week, authorities announced Friday. On the night of Feb. 23, Joseph Morgan Prandoni was riding a bicycle eastbound on Manchester Avenue when a speeding vehicle going in the same direction collided into him from behind, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The crash occurred just east of Gramercy Place shortly after 9 p.m. The hit-and-run vehicle, which police said appears to be a charcoal gray Nissan cube, fled the scene and Prandoni died from his injuries. Police have released an image of the vehicle pulled from surveillance video. LAPD officials and Prandoni's loved ones reached out for the public's help in finding the driver during a 10 a.m. news conference on Friday.
KTLA 5

Police Circulate Photo Of Human Trafficking Suspect Who Frequents Hollywood, North Hollywood Areas
The Los Angeles Police Department's Van Nuys Division on Friday circulated a photo of a human trafficking suspect who frequents the Hollywood and North Hollywood areas and asked for the public's help in locating him and possible victims. Vice detectives began an investigation after a woman about 20 years old walked into the Van Nuys station at around 8 p.m. on Feb. 20 to report she had been a victim of human trafficking, according to the LAPD. She said the suspect had loaned her some money and alleged he forced her into prostitution to repay the loan. “The suspect knew the victim's financial struggles and coerced her to continue to work as a prostitute,” according to an LAPD statement. “When she refused, the suspect escalated his aggression, causing the victim to fear for her safety.” The suspect was described as black, 27 years old and 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighing about 165 pounds. He has black hair styled in long dreads, brown eyes and tattoos on both arms, according to the LAPD.
Los Angeles Daily News

Pasadena Fatal Stabbing Suspect Arrested In LA
A suspect accused of fatally stabbing a man in Pasadena was arrested Friday night in Los Angeles, police said. Mayfield Junior High School and surrounding streets were placed on lockdown Friday while police searched for the stabbing suspect. According to police, officers responded to the 100 block of South Euclid Avenue around 9:05 a.m. for reports of a stabbing. A man suffering from stab wounds was taken to a local hospital in critical condition and he later died from his injuries. Police identified the victim as Byron Young Nettles, 52, of Pasadena. Authorities set up a perimeter to search for the suspect and used police helicopters and K9s but were unable to find him. Detectives requested assistance from the U.S. Marshals to surveil a location in Los Angeles.
Patch

Pedestrian Deaths In U.S. Hit Highest Number Since 1990, Report Shows
The number of pedestrians killed on U.S. roads last year was the highest in 28 years, an increase due in part to driver and walker distraction, alcohol and drug impairment and more SUVs on the road, a safety organization report says. Using data reported by states for the first half of 2018, the Governors Highway Safety Association estimates that 6,227 pedestrians were killed last year. That's up 4 percent from 2017 and 35 percent — or more than 1,500 additional deaths — from 2008. The association says more people are walking to work and they're more distracted by smartphones. America's massive switch from cars to SUVs and light trucks caused more deaths because the taller SUVs tend to hit pedestrians in the head and upper torso, causing more severe injuries, the report said.
KTLA 5

LAFD Navigates Narrow Street To Extinguish North Hollywood Truck Fire
Los Angeles firefighters ran up a narrow street, hoses in hand, because their truck couldn't fit Thursday as they worked to put out the fire in a burning truck in North Hollywood. The plumber's truck was burning on the 5600 block of Whitnall Highway in North Hollywood. There were no injuries, and the fire was out in close to 10 minutes. Due to the narrow street, firefighters parked their engine on a wider portion of the street below the blaze and carried the hose to the scene.
Los Angeles Daily News

Teen Girls Train Hard At 2-Day Los Angeles Fire Department Firefighter Camp
Dozens of girls experienced what it was like to become a firefighter as they participated in Los Angeles Fire Department's Girls Camp. Aamiyah Beridon, 16, spent her weekend learning what it takes to be part of the department. She was one of 92 girls between the ages of 14 and 18 who took part in the two-day crash-course. The campers took over the LAFD Academy in Panorama City, wearing fire gear and learning to use real firefighting tools. LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas and Councilwoman Nury Martinez were on hand Saturday morning to kick off the camp. Then the girls began their training under the direction of women firefighters like Samantha Ralston. "We let them hold chainsaws, climb ladders, just get a feel for the equipment. Just encourage them to try something new and step out of their comfort zone and have fun with their friends," she said.
ABC 7

Los Angeles City Council Approves Ordinance To Ban Restaurants From Automatically Providing Plastic Straws
The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously Friday to pass an ordinance that bans the city's restaurants from automatically providing plastic straws to customers. The move is seen as the next step as the city seeks to phase out single-use plastic straws by 2021. The legislation will require all food and beverage facilities to only provide disposable plastic straws by request only. The ordinance will take effect on April 22nd -- Earth Day -- for businesses with 26 employees or more. All restaurants will be required to comply by Oct. 1. The ultimate aim is to completely ban straws in L.A. within the next few years in an effort to clean up the environment, especially debris that flows into the ocean.
ABC 7

LA Councilman Wants Dockless Scooters Banned From His District During Pilot
Anyone hoping to beat the traffic in and out of Dodger Stadium this season by riding an electric scooter may have to come up with a new plan, if Los Angeles City Councilman Gil Cedillo succeeds in getting the devices banned in his district during an upcoming one-year pilot program. Although the makers of the devices say they help ease traffic, reduce air pollution and offer first- and last-mile transportation solutions, they are also connected to a number of health and safety concerns, including an increased number of people being injured, and being haphazardly parked along sidewalks and parkways, according to Cedillo. He introduced a motion Friday asking the council to exempt the entire First Council District, which includes Chinatown, Highland Park, Westlake and Elysian Park where the stadium is located, from the pilot program.
NBC 4