Los Angeles boasts lowest homicide rate in 40 years



imageThe LAPD reported a total of 297 homicides in the city this year, making it the quietest year for murder since 1967.

“I am proud to announce that last year the City suffered fewer murders than at any point since 1967,” said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa during press conference. “This is not just a year-end statistic; it is perhaps the most powerful statement on the state of our city and our Police Department.”

More than 40 years have passed since the total number of homicides in the city equaled less than 300.

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck hailed the men and women of the police force for their part in homicide reduction, but added: “There are more lives that can be saved. Working together with our communities, the LAPD will be committed to doing just that in 2011.”

The drop in homicides represents a five percent decrease since 2009, and a 22 percent decrease since 2008. Murder rates have continued to fall in the past few years, declining by one third since 2007. With fewer than 300 murders in 2010, the city has experienced a 75 percent drop in homicides since 1992, when murders peaked to 1,092.

image

Homicides have been decreasing throughout the county, with a total of 596 murders in 2010. The year previous, 2009, saw 739 homicides in L.A. In 2008, there were 879 murders and in 2007 there were 939. Factoring in population, 2010 represents the lowest homicide rate per capita since 1964. In 1992, the most recent peak of violent crime in Los Angeles, there were 3.09 homicides per 10,000 people. In 2010, there were 0.74 homicides per 10,000 people.

“Even during tough economic times, we have kept our sights on a more hopeful, promising and safer future and the statistics once again shed light on a much brighter outcome for our City,” said Villaraigosa. “Our unwavering commitment to public safety has yielded tangible results and has saved lives.”

image

The LAPD Valley Bureau saw the greatest reduction in homicides, with an 11.76 percent drop since 2009. The Central Bureau, however, reported an increase from 93 to 95 killings in the area from 2009 to 2010.

Although the year ended well statistically, a slew of murders around the Christmas period included four killings on Christmas Eve and five murders on Christmas Day. Both 2007 and 2009 had fewer murders on Christmas Day, with 10 murders on Christmas Day in 2008.

Statistics and graph from LAPD Online.

Comments

  1. Great news, lets hope these numbers keep falling.. but does anyone know WHY they are falling? Is it more visible police patrols? Tougher sentences? this article raises more questions than answers!
    canvas art

  2. Sofia Camer says:

    The crime rate has fallen thanks to growth of demand for the weapon which from the moment of Obama’s election as the president has risen on 12%.

  3. Railroad Track Maintenance says:

    Great to here that the crime rate is going down around us. Whatever the reason is, its good till it’s falling..

  4. chevy turbo says:

    IRiver H320 This is my first MP3 player and I have nothing but praise for him. The features and sound quality that give the advantage. File transfer is fast and simple, and with the new firmware that supports video playback. The H320 is recognized by Windows XP as a mass storage device and can act as any hard drive of 20 GB.

  5. Railmarktrack says:

    The track design of a railroad build is the crucial aspect that should be carefully induced into. A model layout always helps to increase the usability and the safety of the track.

  6. Railroad Contractor says:

    The rail construction of a track is what makes it an aspect of safety. The materials used are important to maintain the rail on tracks an prevent derailment.

  7. Rail Maintenance says:

    The essential requirement of track construction is a proper model design. The build is the most essenrial and so are the materials used. It is this which can avoid several rail derailment and prevent accidents.

Speak Your Mind

*