Law Enforcement

New effort underway to take guns away from domestic violence offenders
The Los Angeles Police Department and city officials Wednesday announced a new domestic violence/firearms policy aimed at keeping guns out of the hands of domestic abusers. KNX 1070s Ed Mertz reports under the policy, the LAPD will notify the City Attorney's Office whenever any suspect in a domestic violence case owns a firearm. City Attorney Mike Feuer said his office will work to prosecute cases where domestic violence perpetrators or someone with a restraining order is caught trying to buy a gun.
CBS LA

LAPD makes rescuing animals a priority
"To protect and to serve" - it's the motto of the LAPD, and it applies to more than just people. The Police Department is working to make LA known as the "City of Compassion," which includes making the safety of animals a priority. For example, one detective solved a dognapping in April. Another lieutenant saved a kitty running through traffic. And in October, an officer came to the aid of an abused donkey. LA Police Chief Charlie Beck tells NBC4 that compassion towards animals is expected.
NBC4

Detectives seek witnesses in death of Gramercy Park woman
Investigators searched for witnesses Wednesday after a 45-year-old woman was found dead by her daughter in Gramercy Park, authorities said. Wanda Mittie Threadgill, 45, was discovered Tuesday afternoon by her 27-year-old daughter in the 9500 block of South Western Avenue after she had not heard from her mother in about two weeks. "It's not like her not to answer her phone," said Crystal Spradley, of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Times

Chief Beck: 3 LAPD officers fired 15 to 20 rounds at driver in car chase
The Los Angeles police chief is expected to decide Thursday whether three officers will return to patrol duty after they fired more than a dozen rounds at an unarmed, reckless driver last weekend. LAPD Chief Charlie Beck told KPCC Wednesday that he'd decide whether the three officers would be placed back on field duty after reviewing a preliminary report from departmental investigators about the officer-involved shooting.
KPCC

LAPD motorcycle officer stable after being hit by car in Mid-City
A Los Angeles Police Department motorcycle officer struck by a car in Mid-City is in stable condition with a broken wrist, officials said. The officer was driving near the intersection of Washington Boulevard and La Brea Avenue "when a vehicle that was backing up hit him," said LAPD Officer Sally Madera. She said the incident occurred about 6:30 a.m. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Los Angeles Times

Car-chase suspect tries to shake police at McDonald's drive-thru
The driver of a Ford minivan being chased by police Wednesday morning at one point tried to shake the pursuing cops at a McDonald's drive-thru in Panorama City, but to no avail. The pursuit ended about 9 a.m., roughly 10 minutes after it started at Woodman Avenue and Roscoe Boulevard. Aerial television news footage showed the silver Windstar crossing into oncoming traffic, blowing through intersections and whizzing by school zones.
Los Angeles Times

Courts

Court: LAPD can continue eased auto impound policy
A California appeals court has issued a stay allowing a Los Angeles police policy that makes it easier for unlicensed drivers to keep their cars instead of having them impounded. In August a lower court struck down the policy known as Special Order 7, saying it conflicted with the state's vehicle code. But in October the appeals court issued a temporary stay allowing the policy to continue, and Wednesday extended that stay until a city appeal is resolved.
Associated Press

Prison Realignment

Two years into prison realignment, do you know where your car is?
If your automobile insurance suddenly costs more, it might have something to do with prison realignment. Here's why: A report this month from the nonpartisan Public Police Institute of California (PPIC) found that motor vehicle theft jumped nearly 15 percent in the first year of prison realignment (between 2011 and 2012). That's about 65 more auto thefts per year for every 100,000 residents - far exceeding nationwide trends. In a comparison with other states, California had the highest increase in this crime category.
LAPPL Blog

City Government

Garcetti orders release of city data, but scope uncertain
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has ordered his administration to start posting vast troves of city data on a public website early next year, saying he wanted to "promote transparency and accountability." Scholars, journalists, developers of smartphone apps and others will be able to download data on street repairs, crime trends, dog parks, historic monuments and a wide array of other things tracked by the city.
Los Angeles Times

L.A. City Council calls on Obama to halt most deportations
The Los Angeles City Council approved a resolution Wednesday calling on President Obama to halt most deportations of immigrants. In a move led by Councilman Gil Cedillo, who represents a heavily immigrant district on the city's Northeast side, the council urged Obama to a current program that allows certain undocumented young people to stay in the country legally.
Los Angeles Times