Pool was beloved by readers for his empathy, humor and wit, and his ability to tell tales about Los Angeles that made the metropolis feel like a small town.
The L.A. County Board of Supervisors deliberated over the $45.4-billion budget for the nation's largest county, much of which is spent on crucial safety net services.
Reaction to two brutal assaults in Venice demonstrates how emotion and politics twist the truth in crime discussion. Los Angeles leaders must do better.