The City Council has been looking at closing an access gate on the Ballona Creek Bike Path because in the vicinity of the 405 Freeway of crime. One such incident just happened. Via an e-mail sent to Streetsblog LA, here are some highlights: Under the 405 two gang members (this is what the police believe) threw another bike in my path, causing me to crash, and then sprayed me with pepper spray and took my......

On Tuesday, a few hours after the earthquake, the Los Angeles Fire Department put up a link on the "Highlights" section on the homepage of the city's website, pointing to their Earthquake and Disaster Preparedness Manual (.pdf)--a smart move since right after an earthquake is the best time to educate people on preparing for a future and considerably worse one (Tuesday's quake was only considered "moderate"). The next morning, the city's Information Technology Agency (ITA)......

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....

Gearing up for another War on Christmas, combative conservative columnist David Horowitz and the College Republicans are calling out to their hate squad and killing Halloween (not to mention a week of breast cancer awareness month) with what they've dubbed "Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week." Ann Coulter, recently listed as charging a $25,000 speaker fee by the Premiere Speakers Bureau (and now "call for fee") will speak in the name of Islamo-Fascism Awareness tomorrow night at USC.......

USC: Unfortunately, such events are all too common on the streets of L.A. - and the result is too often handwringing followed by inaction. But this was so public, and so blatant, that surely this will result in real repercussion for the officers involved. Right? While UCLA police have announced they will launch their own investigation, anyone with the most cursory knowledge of the City of Angels won't hold their breath for the outcome......

no really, Botox is good for you - Front page "news" from the LA Times: Getting Botox injections to freeze your frown lines may improve your emotional well-being. If your face can't move into a frown, according to a survey of 10 women, your moods may be less gloomy. No word on which 10 women were in the survey. an LAPD wrinkle - Implementation of a computer system to track officer conduct has stalled......

LAist is really, well, just flummoxed with yesterday's senseless metrolink tragedy so although there are a few other interesting local stories in the papers today, we're going to focus solely on what The Los Angeles Times is calling the Tragedy on the Rails. Times Coverage: Chain Reaction Kills 11 Survival a Matter of Chance A Troubled Past, A Startling Action Concern Grows Over Rail Suicides Rescuers Work Among Carnage For Victims, A Deadly Last......