Murder stats in L.A. climb, but other crime rates dip
The latest LAPD crime stats for first six months of 2008 are in. Although homicides are up, rape, robbery and assault rates have dropped compared to the same period last year. Property crimes dropped too. Times reporter Phil Willon passes along this info:
Violent crime:
Homicide up 4.3%
Rape down 11.3%
Robbery down 8.6%
Aggravated assault down 5.7%
Total violent crime down 7.2%
Property crime:
Burglary down 5%
Grand theft auto down 8.2%
Burglary/theft from vehicle down 6.9%
Personal/other theft down 6.1%
Total property crime down 6.6%
Total "gang-related crime" down 15.3%
Meanwhile, Jose Luis Saenz is the latest addition to the LAPD's Top Ten gang list. Police say Saenz killed two gang members, then murdered his girlfriend to silence her about the murders.
--Veronique de Turenne
Photo: LAPD
