It makes sense, it generates a ton of revenue and isn't subject to many of the traditional political procedures. I'd be curious if any LA locals agree or disagree with that assessment?
There was a a period about 8 years ago when the LAPD and CHP waged an aggressive campaign against automobile drivers that failed to yield the right of way to pedestrians (including jaywalkers). Going after pedestrians (that are actually using crossswalks, but are just entering them after the don't walk countdown starts), seems like a shift in policy against pedestrians. The greater threat by far to life and well-being for citizens here are drivers that don't yield to pedestrians.
Of course, pursuing that sort of policy would be to the benefit of the majority of Los Angelusians, and the LAPD's general purpose is not to do anything of the kind.
I've gotten tickets here, but one was on the freeway from CHP, and the other was in Burbank (which is a different city and police department). In Burbank the officer was explicitly waiting for someone to do what I did, which kind of annoyed me.
But in Los Angeles itself, LAPD has left me completely alone. I joke that unless you're actively stabbing someone in front of them, they have better things to do.
Parking is another matter. There's a parking enforcement department, and they are quite aggressive, 24 hours a day.
Most of us have very little interaction with LAPD, since they maintain low numbers of officers for a city its size. But when it comes from extracting $$$ from citizens they are a well-oiled machine. You can expect a parking ticket within 15 minutes anywhere in the city. Santa Monica (a different city) is even more aggressive.