Mayor Villaraigosa and the LAPD

Since Bill Bratton became chief of the LAPD, the number of cops has increased and crime has gone down. But the city faces a shortfall of $405 million.  Two city council committees voted to stop police recruitment and hiring from now until January, which could reduce the force by 300 officers. Tomorrow, the Council will vote on a compromise that would keep it at almost 10,000 by hiring enough new officers to replace those who quit or retire.  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa supports that plan.