Los Angeles leaders are promoting the latest crime data, at least on paper, as evidence that cities are safe and secure.
Figures released Monday show that murders fell by about 14% in the city compared to last year in 2023, but a small number of people were hit by gunfights during the same period.
The total number of murders fell 47 in areas patrol by the LAPD, with the San Fernando Valley seeing the biggest decline in the four geographical stations in the department, with killings falling 28% since last year in 2023.
City and police officials thought it caused a decline in programs aimed at some of the city’s historically problematic housing developments. Murders have fallen by 40% in areas where LAPD’s Community Safety Partnership and the mayor’s gang intervention office “were taking aggressive steps to attract residents,” the city said.
Mayor Karen Bass and LAPD chief Jim McDonnell held a press conference Monday morning to trumpet the anti-violence initiative.
“This progress is a direct result of the tireless work of our law enforcement officers, community leaders and residents who have come together to build safer and more powerful cities,” Bass said in a statement. “While acknowledging this progress, we are continuing to maintain these reductions and ensure that all residents feel safe in their homes, on the streets and in their communities.”
McDonnell called the declining number of murders and shootings reflecting “the impact of ongoing commitment to public safety and the strength of our community partnership.”
Authorities also pointed to successful efforts to stem the illegal gun flow into city streets. Authorities seized about 7,600 firearms last year, and said one in 10 were “ghost guns” that are not registered. According to the latest data, last year saw a decrease of approximately 19% from 2023.
“We are celebrating this progress, but we are aware that there is still work to do and that if you are a victim of a crime, these numbers may not carry weight,” McDonnell said in a statement. “LAPD remains committed to ensuring that all residents feel safe in their neighborhoods.”
The figures reported Monday differed slightly from what Bass and McDonnell highlighted in December as evidence of public safety improvements.
This time, the decline was even more dramatic in certain categories, including a 50% reduction in gang-related murders. The downward trend continues despite the downturn in police stations, economic turbulence and high demand for services aimed at housing, mental health and substance use disorders.
On Monday, Bass and McDonnell praised their active enforcement efforts, including the creation of a task force to deal with Smash and Grab retail crime and copper theft.
Bass played positive crime statistics while facing the threat of recall. Her supporters have called the group behind the campaign “wealthy oligarchs” and have focused on the involvement of real estate developer Rick Caruso, the enemy of her former mayor.
The group recently posted a campaign video focused on handling the palisade fires’ bass, but also mentioned the city’s worsening financial outlook and perceptions of increased lawlessness under her watch.
Criminologists have long warned that crime is rising and falls are complicated, and police data will only provide snapshots in time. LAPD officials are offering a disclaimer that, with the department switching to a new record-keeping system this year, it is nearly impossible to compare year-over-year for certain types of crime.
The changes the department said were necessary to comply with federal reporting guidelines made it difficult to see exactly how theft, robbery and other crimes have increased or removed the citywide from the past few years.
The 2024 statistics continue to decline over the years of serious crime from the Covid-19 pandemic high. Public safety concerns have been a central issue in recent elections, despite the declining number of serious crimes. Voters have overwhelmingly approved 36 strict crime countermeasures proposals that will expel progressive prosecutors in LA and Alameda County following a campaign where crime is central to it, and will also extend sentences for several theft and drug offences.
McDonnell has kept it in mind to see a decline in crime, but officials publicly say they need to stay vigilant. Similarly, he said he remains a concern in departments such as Topanga, Devonshire and Southwest. The department considered using drones on the west side of the city, as did cities such as Beverly Hills.
Police detectives recently disbanded the intruder crew known as the Uber Eats crew.
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