Law Enforcement

LAPD Foothills Division Officers Receive Distinguished Service Award
On May 15, 2007, a crazed transient armed with a sword entered the grounds of a Korean church and school located off the 210 freeway in Foothill area. The suspect attacked the churchgoers at the school, but before the victims and staff could flee, the transient sliced the arm of a staff member and started 11 fires throughout the grounds. Foothill officers responded within minutes and chased the suspect, who was now armed with a dagger in addition to the sword.
The Foothills Paper

Police, firefighters from around the globe duel in San Fernando Valley charity baseball tourney
The San Fernando Valley shootout may be reminiscent of the Wild West. Only instead of guns drawn on Main Street, cops and firefighters from across the world are slugging it out with baseball bats during a first-ever Wild Wild West LAPD Baseball Invitational. The baseball shootout, on diamonds in Chatsworth and Sylmar this week, is expected to raise $10,000 for charity.
Los Angeles Daily News

Father Suspected of Killing 3 Boys Found Stabbed in SUV Near South L.A. Elementary School: Police
In what LAPD Chief Charlie Beck described as a "gruesome" scene, three boys were found dead Wednesday in an SUV in South L.A. and their father, who was also in the vehicle and was wounded, was suspected of killing them. Officers and firefighters responded to the 300 block of East 32nd Street in the Historic South-Central neighborhood at 6:49 a.m. and discovered the four occupants in the vehicle, according to Los Angeles Police Department officials.
KTLA 5

5 Hurt, Including 2 LAPD Officers In Violent Lake Balboa DUI Crash
Three people were listed in critical condition and two LAPD officers suffered minor injuries after an alleged DUI driver crashed into a police SUV in the Lake Balboa area of the San Fernando Valley on Wednesday. LAPD officials said the police patrol vehicle was parked on Louise Avenue when it was hit from the rear around 1:30 p.m.
ABC 7

Suspect Arrested In Arleta Hit-And-Run Crash That Killed Bicyclist
A suspect was arrested in a hit-and-run crash that killed a bicyclist in Arleta early Thursday morning. The crash occurred around 2 a.m. on Van Nuys Boulevard near Beachy Avenue in front of Arleta High School. The suspect, who was driving a silver sedan on the wrong side of the road, crashed into at least two other vehicles and a bicyclist. The impact was so severe that the bike was shattered to pieces. The bicyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity was not released, but police said he was in his 50s. Following the crash, Los Angeles police said the suspect ran to his home a few blocks away. He was found hiding in a back property behind his home at around 4 a.m.
ABC 7

Deputy sheriff helps to deliver baby in car at Santa Clarita car wash
A deputy sheriff helped deliver a baby today in the front seat of a car at a Santa Clarita Valley car wash. A motorist shouted, “Baby! Baby!” at Deputy Roger Bertola, who followed the car into a Canyon Country parking lot on Soledad Canyon Road and soon realized the mother was in labor. The deputy immediately radioed Los Angeles County firefighters and assured the couple that paramedics were on the way. But the baby was apparently unwilling to wait.
Los Angeles Daily News

How the U.S. is working with Central American nations to fight the MS-13 and 18th Street gangs
In El Salvador, gangs are attacking police and soldiers with brazen new tactics. Since January, 43 members of the police force have been assassinated. In the U.S., transnational gangs have become increasingly evident in drug trafficking, extortion and, in some parts of the country, pimping and prostitution, the FBI says.
Los Angeles Daily News

Unions

LA City union leaders celebrate health care win for employees in new contract
Los Angeles City Hall union leaders are celebrating a major victory in their fight with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti over who should pay for health care costs. A letter sent last week to Coalition of L.A. City Unions members obtained by this news organization touts numerous “wins” in a new four-year contract for 20,000 city workers. “No out-of-pocket costs toward premium!” the letter reads.
Los Angeles Daily News