Law Enforcement

Thousands attend services for 2 CHP officers who died in crash
Thousands of mourners, including Gov. Jerry Brown, attended a memorial service Monday for two California Highway Patrol officers who died in a car crash on Feb. 17 as they responded to a multi-car accident. Bagpipers played and hundreds of law enforcement officers, black bands across their badges, stood in silent salute to Juan Gonzalez, 33, and Brian Law, 34, the first CHP officers in the Fresno area to die in the line of duty in more than 50 years.
Los Angeles Times

How LAPD's Devonshire Division uses 'smart policing' to dramatically reduce thefts and burglaries
Two new strategies are being credited with driving down northwest San Fernando Valley thefts and burglaries by 24 percent in the first few weeks of the year, officials said Monday. As part of a Smart Policing Initiative put in place on Jan. 1, the LAPD's Devonshire Division, which oversees a 50-square-mile area that includes the communities of Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Granada Hills, Northridge, North Hills, Porter Ranch, West Hills and Winnetka, is using a predictive-policing model - employed to track violent crime - to flag areas where property crimes are more likely to occur and then put additional resources in those locations.
Los Angeles Daily News

Slain Hollywood teacher was alleged killer's penpal, prosecutors say
A New York man charged with strangling a former Hollywood High School teacher pleaded not guilty Monday to murder. Scott Kratlian, 44, was charged in the killing of Harry Major, 82, a former Los Angeles Unified School District teacher who was reportedly popular with students. He was found dead Feb. 12 at his home in the 1400 block of North Vista Street, police said. Kratlian faces up to 56 years to life in prison if convicted.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD motorcycle officer transported to hospital following collision
A Los Angeles Police Department motorcycle officer was taken to a hospital with abrasions and other apparent minor injuries after his motorcycle collided with a mid-sized sedan in a South Los Angeles intersection during an escort detail, police said. The crash happened about 7 p.m. Sunday at the intersection of Figueroa Street and Exposition Boulevard, according to LAPD Sgt. A. Mendoza. The officer's injuries were believed minor, Mendoza said.
City News Service

Molotov cocktail starts fire at medical marijuana dispensary
Someone threw a Molotov cocktail through the window of a medical marijuana dispensary in South Los Angeles Monday morning, causing some of the pot to go up in smoke, police aid. The fire bomb was thrown through the glass of the dispensary in the 5300 block of South Hoover Street around 3 a.m., said Sgt. Rick Rodgers of the Los Angeles Police Department's 77th Street Station.
City News Service

Gourmet food trucks to the rescue as L.A. Police Academy cafe prepares for a shut down
The Los Angeles Police Revolver & Athletic Club Cafe – the retro police academy coffee shops where cops and other customers dine under displays of vintage photos and batons – is closing at the end of the month for a remodeling. But the LAPD cadets and staff the Elysian Park facility won't go hungry. The Los Angeles Police Revolver & Athletic Club, which operates the cafe and other facilities, plans to bring in “gourmet food trucks,” ranging from Slammin Sliders to The Chili Philosopher.
The Eastsider LA

Guns

Supreme Court declines challenges to gun laws
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to wade into the politically volatile issue of gun control by leaving intact three court rulings rejecting challenges to federal and state laws. The court's decision not to hear the cases represented a loss for gun rights advocates, including the National Rifle Association, which was behind two of the challenges. The first case involved a challenge by the NRA to a Texas law that prevents 18-20 year olds from carrying handguns in public.
Reuters

Economy

More conventions coming to Los Angeles as economy gains strength
Teen volleyball players, firefighters and female engineers are among the Los Angeles visitors who are expected to make 2014 one of the biggest years for the L.A. Convention Center in decades. The Convention Center has booked 29 conventions for 2014, surpassing the 22 conventions held at the facility last year. The events include 11 gatherings that are new to L.A. Hotels and restaurants should be able to cash in on the growth. Convention attendees in 2013 booked a combined 150,000 nights at local hotels -- and officials expect that to balloon to about 266,000 room nights this year.
Los Angeles Times

City Government

Councilwoman, city attorney call for crackdown on Valley prostitution
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nury Martinez and City Atty. Mike Feuer called Monday for a crackdown on prostitution in parts of the San Fernando Valley. Under a plan Martinez will submit to her council colleagues Friday, the city would add two police patrols, step up enforcement of the people behind the crimes and set up a program to divert prostitutes as young as 12 from a life on the streets.
Los Angeles Times