Violent crime in L.A. down nearly 6% so far in 2009 [Updated]
The total number of killings in the city of Los Angeles is down by nearly a third through the midway point of 2009 compared with the same period last year, the Los Angeles Police Department reported today.
The homicide figures, 137 killings between Jan. 1 and June 30 compared with 197 for the same time period in 2008, reflect a half-decade of declines in violent and property crime that began in 2003 and has continued despite double-digit unemployment in Los Angeles.
Violent crime, including aggravated assault, murder, rape and robbery fell by nearly 6% in the first half of 2009 compared with the same period last year. Assaults were down 8%, and there were 11% fewer reports of shots fired and 18% fewer shooting victims.
Those declines come as the city heads into the crucial summer months, when violent crime tends to increase. This year, police also face the added challenge of economic dislocation.
Yet the numbers do not appear to reflect fallout from continued economic decline. Led by a 17% drop in auto thefts, property crimes fell 7% overall through June 30 compared with the same period in 2008.
Robbery, which is classified as violent crime but also can be impacted by a down economy, fell 3.4% in the first half of 2009. Spousal and child abuse also was down, by about 3%. [Updated at 2:45 p.m.: An earlier version of this post incorrectly said robbery fell 6%.]
Total arrests, which stood at 91,712 through June 30, were down marginally from the comparable period last year.
--Andrew Blankstein
Wow! This percentage drop, especially with the current economic crunch is fantastic. I hope this "trend" accelerates. I wonder if this trend is somehow directly related to the economic downturn. I guess its too optimistic to hope that this is a social awakening to the transience of material wealth, and the awareness that money is not worth trading your conscience (soul) over.
Posted by: WashingtonStateGuy | July 14, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Great job by the LAPD and Chief Bratton! Keep it up. We might end the year with less than 275 - 300 murders, which would be great for an American city.
Posted by: D | July 14, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Does that factor in this article posted a few days ago by Ben Welsh and Doug Smith that reported 40% of Los Angeles crimes gone unreported for the first half of 2009?
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lapd-crimemap9-2009jul09,0,909582.story
Posted by: Veronica | July 14, 2009 at 11:00 AM
It's the economy, ammo is scarce and getting expensive, thus the gang bangers have to limit the number of bullets issued to the lower rankers, hard to do a hit when your only issued 2 bullets, and used to spray and pray with you 9mm glock
Posted by: theidahokid | July 14, 2009 at 11:14 AM
Step 1: Publish a searchable list of all crimes
Step 2: Give the public an e-mail address direct to the LA Times that can be used to report crimes that were not included.
Let's see if the statistic holds up.
Posted by: May Not Be True | July 14, 2009 at 01:06 PM
Ammo is harder and harder to steal these days.
Posted by: Julie Braunez | July 14, 2009 at 01:11 PM
Veronica,
My question, as well. I don't buy it on face value.
Posted by: Chunkdog | July 14, 2009 at 01:32 PM
We should reward the cops with a raise
Posted by: doesnt matter | July 14, 2009 at 01:37 PM
Veronica, I think that article referred to the online map available to the public, not the overall crime stats.
It is easy to manipulate a lot of crime statistics, but not murder. (A murder is a murder, and can't be classified as a lower crime.) The drop in the murder rate is astounding.
Posted by: Laure | July 14, 2009 at 01:43 PM
Those of you saying ammo is harder to steal, or are being rationed, lol-not! Maybe it's beacause of CA's gun laws helping to lower crime. And of course thanks to LAPD- they don't mistake cellphones for guns!
PS Bratton for mayor!
Posted by: LV | July 14, 2009 at 02:45 PM
Maybe it is because all the illegals are going back to Mexico or are already in Prison.
Posted by: potter Walker | July 14, 2009 at 03:23 PM
Crime statistics suspect! Reality belies headline!
Posted by: Andrews | July 14, 2009 at 03:36 PM
I'm suspicious of the statistics showing major crimes are down in L.A. That's because of the above-mentioned article on 40% of violent crimes not being counted, and because of the indifference LAPD has shown me when I've been the victim of crimes.
Posted by: T | July 14, 2009 at 03:45 PM
Is there any connection in this to legalization of medical marijuana? Maybe this is answer we have all been looking for????
Posted by: PlayaJ | July 14, 2009 at 03:54 PM