Mid-Year Crime Statistics Show a Continued Downward Trend

Click here for podcast

Los Angeles:  Crime rates in the City of Los Angeles continued to decline during the first six months of the year, with one exception, the number of homicides have increased.

On Thursday, July 8, 2010, the Los Angeles Police Department released mid-year crime statistics. Comparisons for the period January 1, 2010, through June 30, 2010, compared to the same period in 2009 illustrate that the hard working men and woman of the LAPD have prevailed in keeping crime down, in spite of the economic crisis gripping the City and concerns over its effect on public safety.

In the category of crimes defined as “Violent Part I Crimes” there was a decrease in the following areas: robberies down 8.4 percent, aggravated assaults down 14.9 percent and rapes are down 13.6 percent.  The overall decline in violent crimes was 11.4 percent.

Property Crimes also had notable decreases in the following categories: burglary down 8 percent, grand theft auto down 6.7 percent, burglary/theft from a vehicle down 1.5 percent and personal or other thefts down 6.7 percent.

During the past five years (2005 to 2010), homicide rates have declined 39.5 percent.  The City experienced an increase of six homicides in the first half of 2010 resulting in a 4.2 percent increase when compared to 2009.  Chief Charlie Beck said “this Department is committed to stopping this upward trend.  We will continue to implement the very best practices and strategies available, in order to reduce and prevent these violent crimes.”

Overall, gang related crimes are also down from 2009 by 9.4 percent.  Significant decreases occurred as follows: attacks on police officers down 21.6 percent, robbery down 10.7 percent, shots fired into an inhabited dwelling down 22 percent, criminal threats down 11.1 percent, aggravated assaults down 8.5 percent and shots-fired incidents down 4.1 percent.  Three areas of gang related crime remained unchanged from last year: homicides (82), arson (2) and extortion (17).  Three gang related crime categories increased: carjacking crimes up 19 percent, kidnapping up 22.2 percent and incidents of victims shot was also up 6.6 percent.

Several recent and significant arrests highlight the tenacity and dedication of the LAPD in bringing criminals to justice and assuring the public that the Department’s mandate of reducing the fear and incidence of crime is taken very seriously.

In one example, Topanga Area detectives made an arrest within weeks of the brutal stabbing death of 21-year-old Martha Carmona and her 6-year-old daughter, Valeri Camacho.  In another case, Rampart Area detectives arrested a suspect wanted for the murder of Paulina Ibarra a beloved transgender person, who was murdered nearly one year ago.  The most recent and notorious case involved the suspected serial killer dubbed the “Grim Sleeper.”   The investigation spanned more than two decades.  However, detectives never gave up, and their efforts were rewarded on July 7 of this year when they arrested suspect Lonnie David Franklin Jr. who is believed responsible for the deaths of at least 11 people.

The importance of the Community’s involvement in combating crime cannot be overemphasized. Those with information about crimes, past or present, are encouraged to report the information immediately and are reminded of the many ways in which the information can be provided to law enforcement anonymously: a 24-hour, toll free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 and Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck is confident that the Department’s crime-fighting advances will continue: “With the public’s cooperation, the continued crime-fighting efforts of the rank and file under the direction of a capable command staff, and by partnering with our local, state, and federal law enforcement counterparts, we will continue to make progress in the ultimate goal of making Los Angeles the Safest Big City in America.”

For further information please contact LAPD Media Relations Section at 213-486-5910.