Los Angeles leaders are touting the latest batch of crime data to prove that the city is safer and safer — at least on paper.
Homicides fell about 14% in the city last year, while 225 people in the 2023 homicides were shot during the same period were hit by the city, according to figures released on Monday.
The total number of homicides has dropped 47 times in the areas patrolled by LAPD, with the San Fernando Valley accounting for the largest percentage of the four geographic offices in the department, and the homicides fell by 28% last year since 2023.
City and police officials attribute the refusal to plans targeting some of the troubled housing developments in the city’s history. The city said in a statement that the LAPD’s Community Safety Partnership and Mayor’s Gang Intervention Office “taken positive steps to attract residents” in areas where homicides were reduced by 40%.
Mayor Karen Bass and LAPD chief Jim McDonnell held a press conference Monday morning to tout the anti-violence plan.
“This progress is a direct result of the unremitting efforts of our law enforcement officers, community leaders and residents,” Bass said in a statement. “While we recognize this progress, we remain committed to maintaining these reductions and ensuring that every resident feels safe in their homes, streets and communities. ”
McDonnell said the decline in homicides and shootings reflects “the impact of our ongoing commitment to public safety and the strength of our partnership with our communities.”
Officials also noted successful efforts to prevent illegal guns from entering city streets. Authorities caught about 7,600 shots last year, saying one in 10 people was an unregistered “ghost gun”. According to the latest data, last year’s shootings fell by about 19% compared with 2023.
“While we celebrate this progress, there is still work to be done and we realize that if you are a victim of crime, these numbers may not bring weight. We hear you,” McDonald said in a statement. “LAPD remains committed to ensuring that every resident is safe nearby.”
The figures reported on Monday were only slightly different from the bass, while McDonnell emphasized in December as evidence of improving public safety.
This decline is more dramatic in some categories, including gang-related homicides reduced by 50%. The downward trend continues despite shrinking police departments, economic turmoil and high demand for services with housing, mental health and drug use disorders.
On Monday, Bass and McDonald also praised proactive law enforcement efforts, such as creating a task force to address crushing and robbery retail crimes and copper theft.
Bass plays active crime statistics while facing the threat of recall. Her supporters called the group behind the movement a “wealthy oligarch” and pointed to the involvement of her former mayor rival, real estate developer Rick Caruso.
The group recently released a campaign video focusing on Beth’s handling of the Palisades fire, but also mentioned the city’s worsening financial prospects and opinions on wrongdoing under her watch.
Criminologists have long warned that the causes of crime rise and fall are complex, and police data provide only snapshots. LAPD officials have provided a disclaimer because it is nearly impossible to compare year-on-year for certain types of crimes, as the department has switched to a new record keeping system this year.
The changes the department says must comply with federal reporting guidelines, which gives an accurate understanding of how theft, robbery and other crimes have increased or dropped theft, robbery and other crimes over the past few years.
Statistics for 2024 continue serious crimes that have long reduced the highs of Covid-19 pandemic. Even if serious crime numbers are gradually declining, public safety anxiety is a central issue in recent elections. After a campaign where crime is a central issue, voters removed progressive prosecutors in Los Angeles and Alameda County and strongly approved hard-line measures for criminal offenses36, a proposal that extends prison sentences for certain theft and drug crimes.
McDonnell publicly said he was happy to see a drop in crime, but officials need to be vigilant. Again, theft remains a focus for departments such as Topanga, Devonshire and Southwest, he said. The department explores drones on the west side of the city, similar to cities like Beverly Hills.
Police detectives recently broke up with a break-in known as Uber Eats Crew, and his members reportedly dressed up as Uber Eats or Amazon delivery drivers while coated, McDonald said.
