LAX cops taser 78-year-old

David Goldstein at CBS 2 apparently had the story last night (it's in the Daily Breeze today). A 78-year-old Lancaster man walked into the LAX police station last Saturday to retrieve his impounded car. But the registration had expired, so he couldn't get the car. He became angry and moved toward officers, who say they warned him before shooting the man with the Taser darts. He was taken to the hospital and apparently went home OK, but the airport won't give reporters his name so they can reach him. Councilman Jack Weiss says the handling of the incident is more reason to merge the LAX police with the LAPD, a notion that has picked up support since Goldstein and channel 2 aired reports showing LAX officers loafing on the job and being unprofessional.

That CBS 2 series led to several officers being given administrative leave. But RonFineman.com reports that the station has decided to scrap the Special Assignment Unit. He says the head of the unit lost his job and that Goldstein and reporter Randy Paige are going back to general assignment. A source tells Fineman: "It's the best stuff we produce and the stuff we showcase in promos during sweeps, yet the day sweeps ends, so does the department!"