Hiring more police

The City Council voted yesterday to borrow enough money to hire 250 (Times) or 300 (Daily News) new LAPD officers this year. Both papers cite Valley councilman Greig Smith as the sponsor of the idea, but a press release from the Antonio Villaraigosa campaign calls it the Smith-Villaraigosa plan. The release also attacks Mayor Hahn for previously opposing the hiring strategy, then switching to support it. The council also took the first step toward placing a sales tax hike for more cops before voters in May, but the Daily Breeze story does the best job of explaining how it still lacks enough votes on the council to be put on the ballot. Council president Alex Padilla in particular is playing hard to get. Previously: No cop tax this year.

Also: Hahn finally gives his State of the Valley speech, says things are good...After Walter Moore sues to be allowed in the debates sponsored by the non-governmental Citywide Alliance of Neighborhood Councils, LAVoice.org argues he has some right to some podium.