An apparent loud family birthday party in Pacoima drew a large police response in the early hours of Sunday morning, which was partially caught on video. Uploaded to YouTube, the description explains that officers were responding to loud noise complaints. Here's what they say happened before the video begins: more ›

18-year-old Sebastian Caldera was riding his bicycle last night in Pacoima near Pierce Street and Laurel Canyon Boulevard at around 7 p.m. when he was approached by a gunman who shot him several times. Caldera was attended to by paramedics, however he died on scene. The LAPD are investigating the fatal shooting, and believe it was gang-related, but do not have any information about or description of the suspect. Anyone with information regarding this crime is urged to contact Foothill Division homicide detectives at (818) 834-3115. more ›

LA Weekly is tracking every murder within Los Angeles city limits and yesterday in Pacoima, the 137th for 2009 occurred. Yesterday, "30-year-old Gerardo Cruz was standing out in front of his girlfriend's house with her brother drinking beer when three alleged gang members jumped out of their blue compact car and 'shot up the place.'" Although gang related, police said Cruz was not affiliated with any gangs. This was the fourth homicide in the LAPD's Foothill Division this month. Citywide, homicides are significantly down--around 32%--compared to last year. more ›

The answer is yes, there was good chance that these two domestic violence related homicides could have been prevented. If it took place in another part of the city, say the Van Nuys area, Eagle Rock, Hollywood, South LA, or even the Pacific Palisades, something maybe could have been done. Though, in Tunjunga where two murders took place yesterday, under the jurisdiction of the the LAPD's Foothill Division, the funding just wasn't there for a program known for its "homicide prevention." more ›

Angelenos should be empathizing today with their Coloradian brothers and sisters today, who were shocked by the tragic shooting deaths of two staff members at a missionary center in Colorado Springs. There were two mysterious shootings last night in very different parts of the city: The first occurred around 7:40pm in Tujunga, where an unidentified man was gunned down by an assailant in a moving car. The man was found dead of two shotgun... more ›

Have you seen Santa trying to cross the street this holiday season? Did you yield to him or were you naughty? Those who are bad are getting tickets in the LAPD's Santa Claus Crosswalk Enforcement Detail. You may have also seen a rise in DUI Sobriety Checkpoints, and heard of the free MTA riding this Christmas and New Year's. It's been a busy week for the LAPD and here is some blotter info: A 20-year... more ›

On Monday afternoon in Arleta, LAPD's Foothill Division was called to a house for a "burglar there now" call from a neighbor. Three officers responded with two entering through the garage in the back and one through a side gate from the front. As the first two officers walked through the backyard, a rotweiler charged at them. The officers fired their guns and the dog ran down the side of the house towards the third... more ›