Mayor makes case for police hiring

Citing a drop in major crimes for the ninth straight year, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa pressured the City Council Thursday to back his plan to continue hiring LAPD officers.
Daily News.

"Make no mistake about it, there is a direct correlation between the drop in crime and the number of cops we have on the street," Villaraigosa said at a news conference with police Chief Charlie Beck and other officials.

A report issued this week by Los Angeles' top budget analyst said the city needs to save an additional $53million this year because of delays in a proposed lease-sale of municipal parking garages, adding new pressure to cut more services and hiring.