Today’s News: ‘Occupy’ lawsuit; Gun safety; Bicycle sharing

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Post-Occupied. A little more than a year after they were forcibly evicted from a City Hall park, Occupy L.A. protestors are suing the city and county of Los Angeles. The lawsuit says officials violated the plaintiffs First, Fourth and Fourteenth amendment rights to assembly, association and freedom from unlawful seizure. The Occupy demonstrators were rousted November 30th last year – two-and-a-half months after setting up a tent city in a park adjacent to City Hall. About 300 people were arrested in the sweep. The lawsuit also accuses the LAPD of using “shock and awe” tactics to clear demonstrators from the site. L.A. Times

Big bill. Governor Jerry Brown says he’s concerned about expanding Medi-Cal as the state implements federal reform. Brown says the changes – including up to one million new members – could add up to $4 billion a year in new costs – a devastating hit for a budget that’s still not in the black. Some say that estimates is too high, though. Brown wants federal waivers to exempt California from some of the new requirements. AP

Friendly reminder. In the wake of the Newtown, Connecticut shooting, L.A. City Attorney Carmen Trutanich says he and other law enforcement officials will send letters to gun buyers reminding them of local firearms laws. The letters are being sent to people who recently bought guns and those who are in the 10-day waiting period. They’ll make note of city laws requiring safe storage of guns and the reporting requirement if a gun is lost or stolen. L.A. Daily News

Grounded. L.A. County Sheriff’s managers improperly used department aircraft on several occasions. But a new audit finds no evidence the department’s air unit ignored emergencies or falsified time sheets. The county audit was prompted by an L.A. Times report in which deputies alleged that officials were using department aircraft for personal reasons. The deputies also claimed that the Sheriff’s air unit was delaying emergency calls to make the case for more overtime pay. The audit says there is no evidence that of that charge. But it did find that managers misused planes and helicopters on three occasions. In one case, the daughter of a commander was given a helicopter ride to his retirement party because she was delayed by freeway traffic. L.A. Times

Community wheels. Organizers are putting the pieces in place to roll out a bicycle sharing program in Los Angeles this spring. L.A. will join other bike share cities like Boston, Washington, D.C., Denver and Minneapolis. Bike Nation, a private company based in Tustin, has pledged $16 million toward the program. The bikes will be free for a half-hour and then charge $1.50 for the next hour or $6 for a full day. A three-day rental will be $12. Those wanting to borrow a bike can use a smart-phone app to find the nearest one, which will have built-in GPS devices. Curbed L.A.