Homicides And Shootings Drop 25% Since 2022 In LA

Crime Decreases in Los Angeles: Mayor Bass Highlights Continued Progress

Los Angeles has experienced a significant decrease in violent crimes, with homicides and victims shot collectively dropping by more than 25% over the past two years.

Mayor Karen Bass announced the decrease during a Tuesday briefing, highlighting progress in her efforts to enhance public safety.

“Homicides are down and our Fire Department has expanded safety capability thanks to urgent action taken to keep Angelenos safe..— but we know many in L.A. still don’t feel safe every day — that must change,” Bass stated. “We will work to respond quickly to crime when it occurs, prevent crime from happening in the first place, and support our firefighters to ensure we build a Los Angeles that’s safer for all.”

Significant Reductions in Crime Statistics

According to data from the Los Angeles Police Department, homicides decreased by 28.1%, gang-related homicides

plummeted by more than 50%, and the number of victims shot decreased by 26.2% since 2022.

Multi-Fronted Approach to Public Safety

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LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, who joined Mayor Bass at the briefing, pledged action in the coming year to prioritize safety by focusing on property crimes such as burglaries, motor vehicle thefts, and robberies.

In addition to tackling violent crime, the city has made remarkable strides in combatting organized retail crime. The newly created Organized Retail Crime Task Force and Cargo Theft Unit have made significant headway since being established in 2023. The task force, comprised of personnel from the California Highway Patrol, LAPD, LA County Sheriff’s Department, and other regional agencies, has made over 350 arrests and recovered more than $66 million in stolen merchandise.

Investing in Community Programs to Prevent Crime

Additionally, the Mayor’s Office of Community Safety implemented programs like Summer Night Lights and Fall Friday Nights aimed at reducing gang-related violence. These initiatives provided essential resources and activities for youth and adults in the community. Through SNL programs, over 316,800 community members received food, programming, and resources. The programs allowed more than 12,534 youth to participate in free basketball and soccer games at local parks and enabled 2,670 adults to participate in evening sports leagues. Previously, crime rates decreased in areas where these programs were implemented. The LAPD plans to release detailed data for 2024 in January 2025.

Investing in Public Safety Resources

Recognizing the vital role of public safety personnel, the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety secured historic funding of more than $50 million. This funding is dedicated to replacing outdated fire trucks, acquiring new vehicles, and securing essential equipment to guarantee the city’s first responders have the resources needed to effectively protect Angelenos.

Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley emphasized these efforts remain crucial as the city continues striving to enhance safety for everyone in the community.