BRIEFLY : L.A. OFFICER SHOT; SUSPECT ARRESTED.

A Los Angeles Police Department officer was shot in the leg Thursday night in the 5300 block of Russell Avenue, authorities said.

The Hollywood Division officer, who was not immediately identified, was shot at about 10 p.m., said Officer Don Cox, an LAPD spokesman.

A suspect was in custody, Cox said. Further details about the incident were not immediately available.

?13Daily News

Task force urged to renew Van Nuys

Los Angeles Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski said Thursday that she is trying to put together a task force of city agencies to look at what can be done to revitalize Van Nuys.

``Van Nuys lies in the heart of the San Fernando Valley and serves as the center for government,'' Miscikowski said. ``The city can no longer delay . . .,'' she said.

Miscikowski said a task force of city departments could serve to fast-track proposals to identify city resources and come up with a plan for the community.

?13- Daily News

Trio get life terms in child shootings

Three men were sentenced to multiple life prison terms Thursday for shooting at three children that the gunmen claimed were rival gang members.

Reginald Carr, 23, and Dion Mitchell, 21, were sentenced to three consecutive life terms plus 36 years for three counts each of premeditated attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Superior Court Judge Robert Perry also sentenced Ollie Miller, 20, to three life terms plus 50 years for three counts of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and assault with a deadly weapon.

Ezekial Ford, then 14, was left paralyzed on his left side in the Feb. 15 shooting. His sister, Shantel Shannon, then 2, was wounded in her arm and leg. A 15-year-old boy, who was not related to the siblings, suffered a graze wound to his head.

The reputed gang members walked up to the children who were in their front yard in South Central Los Angeles and fired at them with an AK-47 assault rifle, which was later recovered by police.

?13Associated Press

Security initiative for LAX unveiled

Officials announced an aggressive security plan Thursday to deter terrorist and bombing attacks at Los Angeles International Airport.

``When people travel they have a right to feel safe, and we have a duty to show them they are safe,'' said Mayor Richard Riordan. ``At LAX, we are using the most sophisticated, up-to-date equipment and measures to make our airport safe. But it's something that's got to be improved on a daily basis.''

The security initiative includes more than $20 million in explosive detecting machines, including more than one $1.3 million CTX-5000 luggage screening device that uses technology similar to medical CT-scan machines.

?13- City News Service

Burbank set to buy 10 electric cars

BURBANK - With a $250,000 state grant, the city of Burbank plans to buy 10 electric-powered cars for building inspectors, code enforcement officers and other employees who make daily, short-range trips.

State Assemblyman Scott Wildman, D-Glendale, found the money for the city in a special state fund paid by oil companies to settle anti-trust violations.

In a written statement, Wildman said the electric cars will put Burbank ``on the cutting edge of new technology development that will benefit economic development, create good jobs and decrease air pollution.''

?13- Daily News

Berman backs zone for Valley transit

Rep. Howard Berman, D-Mission Hills, has endorsed a proposal under consideration by the Los Angeles City Council to create a San Fernando Valley transportation zone.

Berman said creating a zone would result in a system that would better address local transit needs.

?13Daily News