By Los Angeles County Politics (LACP)
Hochman charges Florida woman with attempted murder of Rihanna
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced charges yesterday against a 35-year-old Florida woman accused of opening fire on Rihanna’s Beverly Crest home with a semiautomatic rifle on March 8. No one was injured.
Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, of Orlando, faces one count of attempted murder, 10 felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and three felony counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling. Bail was set at $1.875 million.
“Opening fire in any populated neighborhood is extremely dangerous, puts lives at risk and will be fully prosecuted,” said Hochman. “Thankfully, no one was injured in this shooting, but this careless violence will not be tolerated in our community. Such shooters will find their next destination to be our jails and prisons.”
On March 8, at about 1:20 p.m., Ortiz is accused of driving up to the front of a home belonging to Rihanna in the 9500 block of Heather Road and firing a semiautomatic weapon multiple times at the house. There were people on the musician’s property as well as an adjacent house, but no one was struck by gunfire.
Ortiz fled the scene but was arrested shortly thereafter in Sherman Oaks. If convicted as charged, she faces up to life is state prison.
Bass deploys LAPD Downtown in force after street takeover
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced yesterday a surge in Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) deployment in Downtown Los Angeles following a weekend street takeover and a subsequent incident at the Circa LA Apartments in the Figueroa–LA Live corridor.
The deployment includes patrol cars, horse patrols, foot patrols, and undercover units.
Bass, joined by LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell and downtown business and civic leaders, framed the enforcement action as a defense of Downtown’s economic recovery — noting her administration’s convention center modernization project, which has already attracted three major conferences projected to generate $100 million in economic impact.
“Here is a message to anyone who thinks they can come Downtown and cause trouble: LAPD will be Downtown in force to arrest you,” said Bass. “What happened at Circa LA Apartments is despicable. And we have zero tolerance for street takeovers. We are fighting, every day, to build back our economy.”
Rivas, Rodriguez pump transportation money into Mission Hills ‘Mission Mile’
U.S. Rep. Luz Rivas (D-San Fernando, Van Nuys, Pacoima, Arleta, Panorama City, Sylmar, Mission Hills, North Hills) announced this week that a federal $25 million Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) passed through the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) to transform Sepulveda Boulevard’s Mission Mile in Mission Hills and North Hills.
The STBG program provides federal transportation funding for projects that preserve and improve the conditions and performance of highways, bridges, and public roads; pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure; and transit capital projects. These funds are distributed by state and local governments such as the SCAG.
The funding will repurpose medians along Sepulveda Boulevard between Rayen Street and Rinaldi Street — a stretch listed on the City’s High Injury Network — into protected pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, including a two-way cycle track, landscaping, shade trees, ADA ramps, and upgraded traffic signals.
“The $25 million to transform Mission Mile is the kind of significant investment we need to fight extreme heat and keep residents safe while walking around Sepulveda Boulevard,” said Rivas.
The grant also builds on $40 million that Los Angeles City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez (D-Sylmar, Mission Hills, North Hills, Pacoima, Lakeview Terrace, Sunland-Tujunga, Shadow Hills, La Tuna Canyon) previously secured through the state Active Transportation Program.
“From the onset, I’ve worked to transform Sepulveda Boulevard into a safer, more accessible corridor that increases walkability, adds beautification, expands transportation options, and provides a higher quality of life for local residents and businesses,” said Rodriguez. “I’m grateful that investment from all levels of government — from local to now federal — are helping see this transformative project through.
The project aims to establish connections to neighborhood parks and cultural sites, such as Andres Pico Adobe, Brand Park Community Center, and the San Fernando Mission.
Garcia announces $3.7M in federal funding for Long Beach
U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Long Beach, Signal Hill, Lakewood, Bellflower) announced yesterday $3.7 million in federal Community Project Funding for Long Beach, targeting public safety, parks, education, and downtown revitalization in advance of the 2028 Olympics.
The package includes $1.03 million for a locally hosted DNA lab within the Long Beach Police Department; $850,000 for Broadway Corridor safety and streetscape improvements; $850,000 for Colorado Lagoon and Marina Vista Park upgrades; $750,000 for facility repairs at Admiral Kidd Park; and $250,000 for the Washington Neighborhood Youth Center.
“I’m proud to bring federal dollars back home to support projects that make our communities safer, more connected, and more livable. I can’t wait to see these projects come to life and make a real difference for our community,” said Garcia.
