Decline in homicides: The trend continues
Homicides remain slightly down this year compared to 2007, according to data from the Los Angeles Police Department. As of Oct. 11, there had been 291 homicides in the city, compared to 316 for that same period in 2007 -- and 374 in 2006.
The latest numbers confirm a trend that began last spring. While authorities worried about a uptick in homicides due in part to gang violence, the multi-year downward trend (though much of Chief William J. Bratton's tenure as chief) appears to be continuing. Numbers from the summer suggest the decline in killing extends to some other parts of L.A. County.
Regional highlights:
77th Street Division: Down 5% from 2007.
Rampart Division: Down 6%.
Pacific Division: Up 167% (but the numbers are small: 8 so far this year, compared to 3 in 2007).
Newton Division: Down 13%
Van Nuys Division: Down 73% (3 homicides so far this year compared to 11 in 2007).
More stats are available on the LAPD website.
--Shelby Grad
where do these stats come from?i live in the athens area of los angeles and there is no decline in violent crime or murders.maybe in the whole county yes ,but not in the areas that count,the areas that it happens more frequent.O.J is done, brentwood is safe.now how about our neighborhoods?can our kids play in the park?can the mothers walk to the store in peace without having to rest in it?its memorials on almost every corner.dont get me wrong those who are doing the maddness need to be held accountable,life is a precious gift,lets cherish it.please take care ,be safe and GODBLESS....oh,check those stats......
Posted by: missin linq | October 20, 2008 at 08:05 PM
they are only counting areas patrolled by lapd...add the sheriffs stats and the truth unfolds..
Posted by: CiTy LiFe | October 21, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Despite the optimism by the LAPD, it seems this site is still quite active every day. People are dying daily, and that is a statistic that cannot be glossed over Nobody seems to be giving these kids a chance.
When are these kids gonna understand that the way to fight the system is to get themselves educated?
Gangsters, you are only playing into the bigger man's game by killing each other. The man's biggest nightmare is for you to become an educated minority. They want you to kill each other. They want you to kill one another. Keep doing it. Go. Minority on minority hate is all they want. Keep doing it. For God's sake, don't get educated. Keep selling dope, shooting each other. Living in the bad neighborhoods. Don't ever aspire to making more money, getting respectable jobs, joining the other side of the tracks. Tatt your body up so we can always identify you for life. Shoot and kill people who collect food stamps and welfare. Saves the taxpayer money.
WAKE UP!
Posted by: impecunious | October 22, 2008 at 06:29 AM
Don't check the stats, missing linq. You'll only be disappointed. City Life is correct in that most of what is Athens, now, is County area which is reportable and patrolled by the Sheriff's department. What did concern me was that this good news blurb did not report stats from Southeast Division which patrols City of Los Angeles mostly east of Vermont and down through the City Strip/Harbor Gateway.
Homicides are up 19% from 2007; 38 versus 32 in the same time period in 2007. The bad thing about looking at straight percentages is shown in the Pacific Division stats. Seeing that large percentage may make you feel good, but 10% of 10,000 is still 1,000.
You may feel good for a second to know that violent crime is down over 19% when compared to this time last year, but the numbers being compared stil reflect over 1500 incidents.
Posted by: O'Dawg | October 22, 2008 at 11:02 AM