Law Enforcement

Feds Partner With Facebook, Bing For Amber Alerts
Facebook and the federal government announced that they are working together to fight child abduction. Get ready to see an Amber Alert pop up in your news feed.The U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday - National Amber Alert Awareness Day - that it is teaming up with the tech giant as well as search engine Bing to expand the reach of the Amber Alert system.
NBC Los Angeles

Police say social problems fuel tensions with public
Police officials offered an unapologetic defense of law enforcement in America Tuesday, telling a White House panel that flagging public trust is largely due to powerful social forces — extreme poverty, untreated mental illness and lack of resources — beyond their control that often fuel tense encounters with the public.The presidential task force, chaired by Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey and former Justice Department official Laurie Robinson, was formed in the wake of persistent unrest linked to violent police tactics. Its members are scheduled to present recommendations for improving law enforcement and community relationships to President Obama by March 2.
USA Today

Ex-LAPD Officer Sues for Retaliation after Ticket Quota Complaint
A former Los Angeles police officer who sued the department, maintaining he was denied promotions for complaining about an alleged ticket-writing quota, can move forward with a second lawsuit in which he claims he was fired in retaliation for coming forward, a judge ruled today. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Linfield ruled there were sufficient differences in the two cases filed by Dan Gregg to allow both to continue.
MyNewsLA.com

LAPD Body Camera Rules up for Debate Wednesday
The Los Angeles Police Commission, the citizen panel that oversees the police department, will hold a community meeting Wednesday in South Los Angeles and Thursday in Canoga Park to discuss the development of rules governing the use of body cameras. Mayor Eric Garcetti recently announced a nearly $10 million plan to purchase 7,000 body cameras by 2016, equipping all Los Angeles police officers with the devices to document interactions with the public. The city has already purchased about 800 body cameras for officers at the Newton, Mission and Central divisions.
MyNewsLA.com

Pursuit Ends In Crash In Downtown L.A.
Authorities say a suspected stolen vehicle leading police on a pursuit has collided with another car in downtown Los Angeles.The pursuit involving the Los Angeles Police Department Newton Division and the suspect vehicle ended near the 101 Freeway and Main Street just before 3:45 p.m. Tuesday. Police said the suspect vehicle struck a bystander's vehicle, and the suspect subsequently fled on foot.
CBS Los Angeles

L.A. doctor, 4 others arrested in prescription drug 'pill mill' case
Federal authorities arrested five people Tuesday in connection with a “pill mill” that allegedly sold narcotics prescriptions at an L.A. clinic and supplied illegally-obtained prescription drugs to Texas.The five, including the operator of a now-shuttered Harvard Heights clinic and a doctor who worked there, were charged in a grand jury indictment last week with narcotics trafficking and selling prescriptions for potent and addictive painkillers, anti-anxiety medication and cough syrup that are popular among addicts.Two others accused of being part of the scheme are still being sought.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD Public's Help Sought In Search For Palos Verdes Estates Robbery Suspects
Police have released new video showing four robbery suspects accused of terrorizing a couple in Palos Verdes Estates last weekend. Detectives say the four men tied up and robbed a couple at their home on Paseo La Cresta Saturday night and urge local residents to be vigilant. “There is a good chance they will try this again somewhere else,” detective Sgt. Steve Barber said.
CBS Los Angeles

Police say two women dressed as deputies robbed men near Carson
Police have arrested two women suspected of dressing up like sheriff's deputies and robbing two men near Carson, detectives said Tuesday. The suspects allegedly dressed in matching black slacks and Army-green uniform jackets — similar to those worn by Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies — with police-style patches when they stopped a man who was riding his bicycle just before 1 p.m. Jan. 9 in Rancho Dominguez, an unincorporated county area just east of Carson.
Los Angeles Daily News

Woman, Male Accomplice Sought in Violent Purse-Snatching in Gardena
Police in Gardena were asking for the public's help Tuesday identifying a couple who robbed and beat a woman as she was walking from her car to work. The victim, an employee at the Hustler Casino, had just parked her vehicle and was on her way to work at 10 a.m. on Jan. 6 when she was approached by a man and a woman, according to a news release from the Gardena Police Department. The female suspect grabbed the victim's purse, the release stated.
KTLA

City Government

Candidates release latest fundraising numbers in San Fernando Valley races
With a slate of Los Angeles City Council and school board elections taking place in March, the latest candidate fundraising numbers were announced Monday. In the Council District 6 race, incumbent Nury Martinez has raised $179,512, while challenger Cindy Montanez has raised $17,660. With the candidates already spending some of that money, Martinez has $63,387 cash on hand, while Montanez has $17,660, according to fundraising data posted on the city's web site. Montanez lost to Martinez in last year's election but has launched another bid to unseat the northeast Valley council member.
Los Angeles Daily News