Los Angeles crime rates this year are on track to rise for the first time in more than 10 years, with increases in both violent and property crime categories, according to figures released Wednesday by the Los Angeles Police Department.
Crime is up 10.3 percent in Los Angeles, as of Saturday, compared with the same stretch last year, and is expected to reverse a 12-year trend of declining crime in the city.
All categories of crime, both violent and property crime, saw increases.
Violent crime climbed 19.9 percent compared with the previous year, marking the second consecutive year such crimes — which includes rape, robbery, aggravated assault to homicide — have gone up. There have been 280 homicides this year, up from 254 last year, a 10.2 percent increase.
Property crime is up 10.3 percent over last year.
Police officials and
Mayoral spokeswoman Vicki Curry responded to the rising crime rates today, saying Garcetti and police Chief Charlie Beck “are taking proactive and comprehensive steps to reduce crime.”
These measures include shifting more officers to the Metro Division, where they can be deployed quickly to areas experiencing the most crime, she said.
More resources were also put into community-oriented policing efforts and an additional $5.5 million was allocated for the city’s gang prevention program.
Curry noted that the city “remains safer than any time since the 1950s, but that’s little comfort to those whose lives have been impacted by crime.”
Curry said Garcetti “is confident that we can address any crime increases in a holistic way that engages communities and partners with all Angelenos to build a stronger, safer city.”
— City News Service