Law Enforcement

Crime alerts for Chatsworth and 12 other L.A. neighborhoods
Crime reports are up significantly for the latest week in 13 L.A. neighborhoods, according to an analysis of LAPD data by the Los Angeles Times' Crime L.A. database. Seven neighborhoods reported a significant increase in violent crime. Chatsworth was the most unusual, recording three reports compared with a weekly average of 0.7 over the last three months. Sun Valley topped the list of six neighborhoods with property crime alerts.
Los Angeles Times

One man's love letter to LAPD
The same native Angeleno who wrote an endearing love letter to Los Angeles has penned another tribute, this time to the LAPD. On the heels of the Occupy L.A. raid, Chris Backley, a paramedic, felt compelled to laud police and remind others why they should, too. Backley wrote in an email to LAist, "In light of the recent events in Los Angeles, I wrote a civilian letter of support to the LAPD." He posted "Occupation" to his blog, Foodlatio. "Imagine you are working a customer service job where the majority of your customers hate you. A small number of people respect you but for the most part every customer you encounter gives you attitude and may even go as far as to take a swing at you."
LAist

California drivers now say cell phone use is worst road danger - topping drunk driving
In what safety officials call a dramatic reversal, Californians now believe talking on a cell phone while driving is more dangerous than speeding, aggressive driving or drunk driving. More than 20 percent of respondents to a state Office of Traffic Safety survey said talking on cell phones is the biggest safety problem on state roads. Eighteen percent listed texting as the worst problem, followed by speeding/aggressive driving at 17.6 percent and drunk driving at 13 percent.
Sacramento Bee

Police are all ears when it comes to sound cannons
Sound has long been used as a weapon. The Germans put sirens on Stuka dive bombers in World War II to amplify the terror to unlucky souls below. Jamaican maroons - fugitive slaves - used the abeng horn to unnerve British colonial soldiers. The U.S. Army blasted rock music to torment former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega. And according to the Bible, Joshua brought down the walls of Jericho by having his priests blow rams' horns. Now, the power of loud noise is being harnessed by police departments.
Los Angeles Times

372 medical marijuana shops file L.A. business tax paperwork
Los Angeles is home to more medical marijuana shops than any other city. That much is certain. And more are still opening. But how many there are is usually a guessing game. Now, however, the city has a new number: 372. That's how many filed forms with the city's office of finance by the Oct. 31 deadline in preparation for paying the new pot tax.
Los Angeles Times

Identity theft, credit card fraud on the rise
Credit card theft is on the rise, according to the latest crime estimates. Last year, about 8.6 million U.S. households, or 7 percent, experienced some form of identity theft, up from the 6.4 million that fell victim to identify thieves in 2005, according to Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates. The total financial losses for those households totaled $13.3 billion. In most cases, identity thieves obtained victims' existing credit card information, the bureau reported. The data includes both attempted and successful use of the stolen information.
California Watch

Occupy L.A.

Hundreds remain jailed after Occupy LA raid
About 240 people remained in jail Thursday night after an LAPD operation to clear the Occupy L.A. encampment around City Hall in Downtown Los Angeles, police said. On Thursday, the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office filed criminal charges against 19 people arrested. Their bail was set at between $5,000 and $20,000 depending on the charges, according to the City Attorney's Office.
Southern California Public Radio

City officials try to save Occupy L.A. mural
City officials are in the process of figuring out a future for a large mural in the center of City Hall park, which served as a gathering spot for protesters during the 58-day Occupy L.A. demonstration. Olga Garay-English, the executive director of the city's Department of Cultural Affairs, said she received a call from the mayor's office Wednesday afternoon about the mural. "The mayor's office recognizes that this has historical significance so we're working together to make sure that we come up with a good and appropriate solution," she said.
Los Angeles Times

Immigration

60% of adult illegal immigrants in U.S. for 10 years or more, report says
More than 60% of adult illegal immigrants in the U.S. have lived here for at least 10 years and nearly half have minor children, according to a report published Thursday by the Pew Hispanic Center. The analysis based on data from the March 2010 Current Population Survey and the Pew Hispanic Center's 2010 National Survey of Latinos shows a marked increase in the long-term duration of illegal immigrants in the U.S. compared with a decade ago.
Los Angeles Times

Pensions

Gov. Jerry Brown defends pension changes against critics
Gov. Jerry Brown stepped up Thursday to defend his proposed overhaul of the state's public pension systems against criticism from legal experts and unions, telling lawmakers it would save money without running afoul of legal restrictions that protect retirement benefits for current employees. Brown appeared before a legislative committee that includes lawmakers skeptical of portions of his plan.
Los Angeles Times