The Los Angeles Police Commission has had it with the City of Los Angeles' current red light camera program, and today they said "no" to proposal to keep them up and running. At this point, the only way the city can keep them running is if "the City Council opts to strip the commission of its authority on the issue," explains L.A. Now. more ›

The city's budget woes are hitting everyone, including LA's top cop. Yesterday the Police Commission agreed during a closed session meeting that Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck will not be offered a raise, reports the Daily News. Beck's current salary will remain at $307,290. more ›

Despite being a revenue flop, the Police Commission has accepted LAPD Chief Charlie Beck's recommendation and voted unanimously that the city continue its red light camera program, according to CBS2. A recent audit shows that the program is generating citations, however over $7 million owed from those tickets has gone unpaid. Commission President John Mack, however, believes the program is not about its money-generating potential, but rather being a tool for improving public safety. more ›

Got a problem with a bandit towing company or a legit one that's acting out of line? The Los Angeles Police Commission today launched its tow truck complaint hotline where drivers can report unethical and illegal business practices to detectives. more ›

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck today said killings are up when compared to this time last year. A total of 82 people have been killed within Los Angeles city limits this year, four or 5% more than last year at this time, according to the LA Times. In his report the Police Commission, Beck said the city's budget crisis is making it difficult to respond to demand. Basically, a lack of overtime funding has less cops on the streets. It should be noted, however, that overall violent crime and property crime are both down around 10%. Meanwhile, the union that represents officers have launched an online petition to urge City Councilmembers to stop any further public safety cuts, says the LA Weekly. more ›

How much of a difference can you make in who the city hires as our new police chief? “Public input is critical in this process,” said John Mack, president of the LA Police Commission, which is hosting a series of five meetings that begin tonight in the Los Feliz area. “The next Chief of Police will serve all of the diverse communities of Los Angeles, and it is extremely important that we hear from those communities and know what is important to them.” more ›

LAPD Chief Bratton is stepping down at the end of October, paving way for another to take his role at the famous department. As noted last week by the Personnel Department to City Councilmembers, the Police Commission will be hosting public meetings for input on the qualities of the next chief. “Public input is critical in this process,” said Police Commission President John Mack in a statement. “The next Chief of Police will serve all of the diverse communities of Los Angeles, and it is extremely important that we hear from those communities and know what is important to them.” Four meetings will be held in the Valley, South LA and Westside and near the Eastside. Meeting dates and times are listed below. more ›

It's been building up over some time. Bicyclists vs. the LAPD. Each situation gaining media attention is different, but one thing has been a constant--riders feel prejudiced by the police in general. Then comes today when a large group of 20 or so cyclists show up to the regularly little-attended Police Commission meeting talking about last Friday's incident between a hummer and a group of cyclists and the general treatment they receive when dealing with police. Now this: "the Inspector General's office will investigate last week's attack and police policies and write official reports and make recommendations to the LAPD," reported Damien Newton at StreetsblogLA. more ›

Citing that there are already laws on the books, the LAPD opposed a proposal to make a "personal safety zone" paparazzi law to the Police Commission today. 3rd District Councilman Dennis Zine introduced the idea after the LAPD used $25,000 to transport Britney Spears to UCLA Medical a mere 6 or so miles in order to keep her safe from paparazzi (did you see the video of her leaving UCLA Medical? This is nuts, a must see). more ›

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The Police Commission approved earlier this month to agree with the LAPD federal consent decree that officers in specialized units dealing with narcotics and gangs must "disclose all of their sole and jointly owned assets, liabilities and income every two years. Refusal to disclose such information would bar officers from working in those units." And refusal is what they will do if the city writes the policy down as law. 500 LAPD officers in these specialized units will request transfers or retire before abiding by this 'draconian' financial disclosure requirement. more ›

In the wake of the most recent King-Harbor tragedy, where concerned witnesses called Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department 9-1-1 to report that the medical staff was doing nothing about a woman dying on the floor of the hospital, only to be told that 9-1-1 would not dispatch any help, comes a plan by the LAPD to improve their handling of 9-1-1 calls. Yesterday officials told the L.A. Police Commission that they were beginning to... more ›

Rioting continued yesterday in the LA County jails in Castaic. The LA Times reports more than 500 inmates were involved, nearly 100 were injured and 28 had to be hospitalized. more ›

There's a cynical news saying: If it bleeds, it leads. Well, there was lots of blood in the news yesterday and the stories aren't going anywhere. In case you need to catch up: more ›

We don't hear much about the Hip Hop Summit Action Network on this side of the country. Their focus has always seemed a little East Coast but the grant and support they've given in association with Pepsi for the launch of the Imperial Courts Music and Arts Development Project in Watts is very interesting. We're not sure that a music studio would be at the top of our list of needs for the long suffering housing project and city but we like the idea and the standards they are setting for it. After much debate, it seems the Housing Authority and Police Commission agree. more ›

Those crazy meteorologists keep saying the rain is coming but it's sunny right now so we're just going to ignore them. Besides that, this week the only things we're more obsessed with than "American Idol" and "Project Runway" is crime. more ›

The Daily News notes that Commissioner Rick Caruso justifies the move as protection against fraudulent schemers in a field where creds are hard to prove. According to Caruso, an official city business license would imply that professional mystics are “qualified to read tea leaves, to talk to the dead and to solve your problems,” much as a beautician or building contractor is certified in his or her field. Licenses can also be used as tools in fleecing trusting customers. One unit detective annually processes approximately 50 complaints from people who have lost on average $5,000 from deceitful psychics. The Commission did, however, make a commitment to enforce this brand of business transgression. more ›

In L.A., there's almost nothing as annoying as getting your car towed. So it's great to see the Police Commission approve a plan to take down bandit tow-truck drivers. Such truckers tow away cars under false pretenses, and charge exorbitant fees when drivers come to retrieve their vehicles. According to the Times, LAPD Captain Bradley Merritt told the commission that bandits get away with "thousands of vehicles" each year. more ›