Crime alerts soar this summer in Los Angeles, and several neighborhoods are seeing a significant increase in both violent and property crimes. Areas experiencing a surge in violent crimes are Hancock Park, Hollywood, Panorama City and Sawtelle. Red alerts of "violent crime up significantly" are viewable in each location via The L.A. Time's database of Los Angeles County crime reports. more ›

The sale of a deserted 14-acre property on the industrial 800 block of North Coronado could produce funds for other local parks, according to NBC LA. Councilwoman Jan Perry supports the property's sale over building a park. more ›

How do you solve a problem like fraud? Thanks to the FBI, the cause of the problem for a group of nuns bilked of over a quarter million dollars, has surrendered, according to the Department of Justice. Linda Rose Gagnon, 57, of Tustin, is accused of three counts of wire fraud. The injured party is the U.S. Province of the Religious of Jesus and Mary, Inc., a congregation of Roman Catholic Sisters. more ›

As talks to extend the Green Line closer to LAX continue, the city will still have to figure out how to get people to each terminal from the new station. Councilman Bill Rosendahl last week proposed that a study be conducted about the feasibility of extending the train line directly into the Central Terminus area so a people mover can deliver travelers to their terminals, according to his motion: more ›

CurbedLA shares this good-news bit for preservationists and fans of Fatburger, and report that the original 1952 South LA stand where the popular fast food franchise began has been purchased by the CRA and will be preserved and made a part of the new development on the property. According to family rep Frank Evanisko," The actual shack still on the property cannot be torn down but must be rehabbed and incorporated into any new development." The site is destined to be for low income housing; public records indicate "the proposed project will be a 66-unit moderate income housing condominium consisting of 61 residential condominiums and five Live/Work units at 3001-3023 S. Western Avenue." Fatburger was founded by "female African American entrepreneur Lovie Yancey." Yancey died at age 96 in February 2008. more ›

They tend to be our least favorite people, since we write hefty checks to them every month for our rent, but landlords aren't doing so well these days. Vacancies in commercial buildings are up and rising, say recent reports, and this year looks to be a tough one for landlords looking to lease. more ›

As part of the unified command set up yesterday in Los Angeles to combat the Sayre Fire, the LAPD had 150-200 officers on hand to assist evacuees and to patrol the evacuated areas once the fire was out. In Porter Ranch, at least one homeowner reported looting, as he returned to his property to check on his doors, and found two women taking his belongings from his home. more ›

June 3rd is not going to be a very popular day for Californians to come out to the polls when compared to last February's Super Tuesday primary. Nonetheless, among electing state and congressional politicians, there are only two propositions on the ballot and they are stirring up controversy. Prop 98 and 99 are like good cop, bad cop, depending on how you feel about the issues, or maybe better put, if you're a landlord or not. more ›

Last Friday when A-Trak and Kid Sister played at New York City's Natural History Museum, Kanye West made a surprise visit. Neither Flavorpill or the Natural History Museum list Kanye for tonight's version of the NYC event, First Friday, but rumors are afloat, as they're bound to happen. Nevertheless, the evening looks to be killer anyway. more ›

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This sounds fun... or not: the Apartment Owners Association Convention is this week at the convention center downtown. more ›

? Check! Strauss and O'Toole rock Judea! more ›

Guest Day Editor LA City Nerd will be joining LAist with a few posts throughout the day. Read the introductory interview here and check out the nerd's blog. As most citizens know, the taxes they pay support the services the government provides. On April 15th, people line up to pay Uncle Sam and the State with income taxes that support things like the FDA and Caltrans, respectively. But when it comes to the City, the... more ›

USC Free Culture is hosting a panel discussion this evening on reinvigorating Los Angeles' open space. What we can do with artistic expression, do-it-yourself technology and the public domain to preserve and enhance LA's 500 square miles of diverse culture before our greatest spaces are swallowed up by thinly veiled corporate interests? What type of “knowledge ecology” is possible in a city devoted to fame, celebrity and image? USC's Taper Hall, Rm 301 3501... more ›

The California Coastal Commission voted unanimously last week to sell billionaire David Geffen a 10-foot buffer zone of the public beach that abuts his Carbon Beach-front property in Malibu. For about $140,000, the Trip-C supposedly put to rest a decades-long debate over Geffen's property rights (Geffen finally granted access to the beach in 2005). We visited Carbon Beach to assess how this deal might work out and found only about a dozen or so... more ›

The Associated Press is speculating that would-be homeowners waiting for that market to cool are pushing up rents around LA by doing stupid-ass shit like using the Internet. By frequenting sites like BidRent.com, prospective renters are virtually screwing each other by overbidding on vacant apartments. Property investor Rachel Morton recently listed a one-bedroom condo in the trendy Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles for $1,750 a month. An auction on BidRent involving at least seven... more ›

Ever buy the New York Times in New York City? more ›