Are there a lot of homicides in Los Angeles?

Not particularly, although it depends on the point of comparison.

To be sure, the raw number of homicides is large, making for a lengthy list on The Homicide Report. But that's mostly because of the size of the population. Big populations make for big statistics; thus L.A. County accounted for 43% of the total number of homicides in California in 2005, and about 6% of all the homicides in the nation.

Measured as a rate per capita, though, the number of homicides here is pretty middling. Among major cities, L.A. city ranked 16th in the nation in homicide rates, according to a list compiled by the Los Angeles Police Department. (L.A. County's rates are similar to the city's.)

With about 13 deaths annually for every 100,000 people last year, the city of L.A. was tied with San Francisco and Boston in the rankings, and placed just a hair above Denver. Detroit, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Las Vegas, Baltimore, and Kansas City, Mo., all ranked higher.

L.A. looks even better when its demographics are taken into account. A recent study funded by the National Institute of Justice found that when homicide rates are adjusted for several factors, such as poverty, unemployment and the percentage of blacks in the population, the city of L.A. ranked 39th on a list of 67 American cities.

In short, our high-risk demographics (lots of poverty, lots of single-parent homes) put us at a disadvantage with wealthier, whiter cities such as San Diego, which are blessed with low homicide numbers thanks in part to low-risk demographics.

But even so, we do fairly well. "I wouldn't think to characterize L.A. as a major homicide place," said Al Blumstein, criminologist at Carnegie Mellon University.

Los Angeles' homicide rates today also compare favorably with rates in the past. In 1992 and 1993, peak years of a national homicide epidemic, the rates were easily double what they are today. There are, on average, almost three homicides daily in Los Angeles County now; six per day was the average back then. Downward trends have continued: The decrease in county-wide homicides between 2005 and 2006 was 6%.

But there remains a grim side to this picture. Los Angeles homicide rates are nowhere as low as New York City's, and like most American cities, L.A.'s homicide rate is much higher than that of surrounding suburbs and small cities. The average national homicide rate hovers between 5 and 6 deaths per 100,000 yearly, which is less than half the L.A. city rate.

Moreover, citywide and countywide homicide rates are deceiving because, like all big cities, Los Angeles County is a combination of safe and dangerous neighborhoods. Areas with very few homicides, such as Brentwood, Malibu, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and Woodland Hills form a patchwork with areas with a lot of homicides, such as Compton, South-Central, Watts, Crenshaw and Athens.

The differences are so extreme that they render the county- and citywide rates almost meaningless. The Los Angeles Police Department's Southeast Division in Watts, for example, had a homicide rate of 45 deaths per 100,000 people last year, triple the citywide average.

West Los Angeles, meanwhile, had a homicide rate of less than 1 death per 100,000--so low that people living there might as well be living in Europe. Such high- and low-homicide neighborhoods cancel each other out, producing a medium rate overall. But this may be little comfort to people in neighborhoods where homicide rates quite literally parallel those of Third World countries.

In general, statistics don't argue strongly for viewing Los Angeles as an exception. Our bad neighborhoods are likely similar to bad neighborhoods in other large American cities, and the people most at risk of being victimized here--young male adults of minority background--would also be at risk elsewhere.

So when you scroll down the list of victims on The Homicide Report, think of what you see not as an L.A. problem but as an American one. You are looking at the local version of a longstanding national homicide problem.

Comments

[P. D'Antonio]

To Beth:

You need to provide the homelessness demographics for California for your statistics to be relevant. Elsewhere in the country whites remain the majority, but they are less than 50% in California. We are discussing the high murder rate in California.

[unbelieveable]

I can't believe it was said that the amt of homicides are due to how many blacks are in the community. People these days.. Y am I suprised though?

[LMG]

Well I'm a exchange student from Europe and I was considering about visiting LA and renting a car while being there.
But when I read all these things, I don't know, man. Don't get me wrong every city has crime and stuff, even the city where I am from. But the LA criminal mentality seem to be on some other level of ignorance. At least that's the impression I have. I was in New York, Brooklyn recently and yeah some streetdudes notice that I'm not from there, so they might look at you strange for a minute, but that's about it.

In LA, at least from what I read and heard from people who've been there, people look at you, start flashing handsigns and stuff and if you happen to wear a certain colour shirt/shoe on....that's it.

No thanks my life is too valuable to get lost their by accident with a rental car and get attacked by crazy gangmembers

[Steve Rodriguez]

Hey Vegan Miltia:

I am Latino and quite successful! Let's not use the excuse of race when someone or some group does not succeed in America. Do we have to take you by the hand and spoon feed you? Stand up like a man, go to work, make something of yourself and feed your family!

[William Britton]

Please keep the Homicide Report as it is! Do not water it down or report less of the people who are having their lives ended. Much thanks to Jill Leovy, whom I assume first began this HR. Apparently she is unable to continue with it, but someone else may be taking her place?

When we can waste millions of words on an almost meaningless political competition for President of the United States -- these usually young, poor, non-white, poorly educated PEOPLE who deserve to live out their lives should at least have this miniscule notice of their "passing" aka death.

[Mark]

Treadlightly.

There are many locations in los Angeles that have had zero homicides in years.

As any crimilogist can tell you about the statistics of LA County, is its a few neighborhoods that have the most crime in them. Take them out of the equation and the rates drop to very low levels.

[Treadlightly]

I had to laugh at your comment that LA doesn't have a particularly high homicide rate. The country I live in, has a few cities of 4+ million - ok, not on the scale of Los Angeles, BUT, no gangs, strict control of private ownership on firearms, and our country of 21 million people has around 200 homicides in a year, most cities in the country, including the big ones have a rate of around 1 homicide per 100,000 versus areas of Los Angeles as you pointed out that have up to 45 per 100,000. Why Americans are afraid of terrorism is beyond me, it's your fellow Americans who you really need to fear!

[jay]

This author and the author of the homicide report, if not one in the same, are doing a disservice to the latin community by suggesting repeatedly that Black males represent the largest demographic of violent crime victims here in L.A.. That is only true for the entire country combined, but here in L.A. Mexican males age 14-38 lead that category by an overwhelming ratio of nearly 3-1 to Black Males

But the author(s) of this homicide series only focuses on Black neighborhoods as the "watch out for" areas, and Black males as the primary victims in her commentary. Does she/they think the public is that dumb that we can't simply count the number of faces she profiles as victims, and see for ourselves that 80% of them are Mexican! We need facts, not media propoganda to solve the problem.

[ACE]

It's amazing how cowardly and ignorant my White brothers can be! Yes, let's continue to blame "the illegals" that way you don't have to acknowledge your bigot and racist heart. Cold blooded murder cannot be explained away by poverty, demographics or "illegals". Just the fact that it murder also happens in wealthy White areas, proves it! And it can't be defined as "an American phenomenon" either, murder is a worldwide epidemic. The root of the problem is the same as it was when Cain murdered Abel; the human race is sick and corrupt to the core and we lust to obtain what other's have. The heart of mankind has waxed cold, everone only cares about their own needs and don't give a hoot about the sufferings or needs of others. The fact is, we don't care if people live or die, as long as they don't drop dead on our door step and someone else cleans up the mess! Mankind cannot redeem it'self. Worst is yet to come. Extremely evil days are ahead, totall anarchy shall prevail. Wow to those who look to themselves or manna for security and safety. "Kiss the Son while he may by found, least He become angry and you parish along the way." Rev.13:16 He (anti-Christ) also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave (American or Illegals), to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that they could not buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name." Rev.20:15 "If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." My personal suggestion, STOP POINTING FINGERS AND MAKE SURE YOUR NAME IS IN THE BOOK!!!!!

[GAvila]

I cannot believe how many senseless homicides occur in L.A. !!! The article dated on March 6, 2007, addressing homicides in L.A. is a sad joke. The article asks if there are a lot of homicides in L.A. and the reported states, "Not particularly, depends on the point of comparison". L.A. is a war zone. I can't believe how out of control the city is. Our youth don't have to go to Iraq to be killed, just live or vacation in L.A. I stumbled on the L.A. Times website over 2 months ago, and everytime I visit the site, I am disgusted with the amount of homicides listed. Osama doesn't have to send terrorist to L.A. to kill the innocent, the gangs are taking care of that already! Sad, but true.

[willie verga]

this comment adresses bob, pik-a-b, and otto. what you know is not much because only 7% of the people that live in the 'ghetto' actually join gangs, and out of that 7%, there is an a even smaller number of individuals committing these heinous crimes. not all gang members are killers. there are many beautiful, intelligent, PEACE LOVING people who live in the 'ghetto' that never have and never will join gangs. stop pointing fingers, and provide solutions that would help your fellow human being.

[Richard H]

An interesting post on "La Plaza",another L.A. Times Blog, that could offer a different perspective to homicides in L.A.:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/laplaza/2007/05/latin_america_f.html

[Loretta]

This is the first time I've read The Homicide Report and I am very impressed. It tells us what's going on in a short, factual manner. It also recognizes each loss in a public forum. This may be the only obituary these people get. I especially appreciate the short follow-ups on a few of the victims, which solidifies their humanity. Keep printing this!!

[Brian]

Keep it up! For most of these people and their loved ones this is the only consolation. Bless you.

[Ben]

I concerened about the number of guns that are illegally poured into our country, like the AK-47, a Russian made gun, or the infamous Uzi made in Israel. Also how can we get info on what is the most common murderous weapon? i.e. 9mm, .357 magnum, shotgun, etc...

[adinasi]

I cannot thank the LA Times enough for the Homicide Report. As a 12 year educator I often worry about the young people I've taught, and this report will at least let me know if something tragic happens to any of them. For those young people with whom I've lost contact at least not seeing them here may mean they're alive and surviving in the heart of this cold, cold city.

[otto]

Are there any white people living in LA??? (except of the crime victims i mean...). of course i know that all people are the same (wouldnt be allowed to say otherways anyway) so i guess its just a coincidence almost all criminals are blach or hispanic.

[PIKA-B-6666]

If the ilegals are ilegal,why they don't kick them out? Is it so difficult or are other "reasons" for not doing it? I am confused...

[VeganMilitia]

Correcting my previous post:
My previous criticism about the poster who blamed 'illegal Mexican neighborhoods' should have been directed at poster 'Bob.' I erroneously criticized poster 'beth' when in fact it was poster 'Bob' with which whose words I wished to disagree. Should the moderator read this before posting, I would appreciate the editorial change of the word 'beth' to the word 'Bob.' In any event, it is Bob with whom I strongly disagree.

[VeganMilitia]

Disagree completely with the so-called logic of poster 'Beth.' First, nobody is 'illegal' and nobody is an 'alien' - Beth's choice of words makes it clear she is an ideologue, not an objective commentator. Second, and more important - her words show ignorance (whether willful or not) about the complex interactions between wealth, poverty, race, privilege or lack thereof, opportunity or lack thereof, geography, distribution of resources, and on and on and on. She find s a distinction between quote 'white American' and 'illegal Mexican' neighborhoods. My guess however is that these 'white American' neighborhoods she has in mind are the gated communities, 24-hour security, high-rise condo, Beverly Hills mansions, Hollywood hills estates and other up-scale regions where money allows the owners the luxury of insulating and isolating themselves from the rest of their fellow citizens while her 'Illegal Mexican' neighborhoods are where -in reality- 99% of the rest of the world's populatoin lives.

Poverty and desperation breed crime (as do wealth and hubris - but that is another story). National origin and citizenship status do not.

[beth]

So Bob everyone you work with is legal? The guys who mow your lawn? Who change your tires? The guys who fix your car? How about the people who make your clothes? Work at your drycleaner? Where did the flowers come from that you bought your wife/girlfriend?

Your stats are also completely wrong:
The Demographics of Homelessness in America are:
* 49% are African American (compared to 11% of general population).
* 35% are Caucasian (under-represented compared to 75% of general population).
* 13% are Hispanic (compared to 10% of general population).
* 2% are Native American (compared to 1% of general population).
* 1% are Asian-American (under-represented compared to 4% of general population).

[Greg Brandt]

What a shame,I remenber my homestate as such a great place to have been born an grow up at.I really miss Calif but not this mess.

[Bob]

What isn't said is that white American neighborhoods have very low homicide rates while neighborhoods dominated by illegal Mexican aliens have extremely high homicide rates. The author reports poverty and single mother households as important, which they are, but he chases dust bunnies in the corners while ignoring the elephant in the middle of the room. Its the illegal aliens, stupid! Illegal aliens are the homeless, the impoverished, the single mother homes. Without illegal aliens LA would have one of the lowest homicide rates in the nation. Dishonesty iin denial doesn't help anyone to understand the problem.

[Louis]

It might be interesting to have a map of where the homicides are concentrated in what neighborhoods, kind of what like the LAPD has with their crime maps.

[AKK]

This is my first time visiting the homicide blog. I heard about it on the Lakers Bloq (which I visit daily!). I just wanted to say that having advertisements on a blog like this doesn't pass my gut check test. It just does not seem right.