Answer: 12

Question: How many LAPD motorcycle officers does it take to escort an ambulance carrying Britney Spears to UCLA Medical Center? She was collected at home in Studio City about 1 am and taken away on a 72-hour mental health hold — for the second time this month. Police helicopters also escorted the procession, cleared by the FAA. [The FAA claim was a false rumor that began with TMZ, which corrected it, the FAA says.] LAT, DN Wires, TMZ

More restaurants getting the A

When the health department began giving letter grades a decade ago, 40% of restaurants earned an A sign in the window. Last year, 83% got the top grade. LAT

Ex-LAPD officer convicted of home invasions

The judge who oversees the federal consent decree says the cases proves the need for oversight of the LAPD. LAT

Community fears in Monrovia

"This isn't over and we know it," a city spokesman said of the gang shooting spree that a sheriff's gang deputy called a race war. "Investigators admit they are in a desperate game of catch-up with the wave of crime hitting a region known as 'No Man's Land,' an unincorporated area between Arcadia, Monrovia and Duarte..." SGV Tribune

Yagman still free

Lawyer Stephen Yagman's latest surrender date for federal prison was Jan. 29, but he filed an appeal the day befpore triggering an automatic stay. LA Weekly

Mugging spree around UCLA

Several attempted robberies and muggings on Westwood streets near the campus prompted bulletins from the UCLA police. DN Wires

Santa Monica Place closes today

Renovation into something akin to a modern, open shopping mall will take until at least 2009. LAT

Computer Sciences Corp. leaving South Bay

The company was founded in 1959 above a bakery on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Its headquarters are moving from El Segundo to Falls Church, Va. Breeze

'Poorman' sues KDOC over losing his show

Jim "Poorman" Trenton, the former KROQ deejay who started "Loveline," has sued the Orange County TV station for taking his latest show off the air after five weeks. He talks to Dana Parsons. LAT

Passport needed to return from Mexico

Starting today, Americans need to show a passport to get back from Mexico or Canada. (That's by air. A passport, or a government-issued ID plus birth document, is required at the border but enforcement will be lax for awhile still.) DN, LAT Travel blog