LOS ANGELES, Calif.–The number of homicides over the past 12 months in Los Angeles County is down 12.5 percent compared to the same period last year, the sheriff’s department reported today.
Between November 2009 and November 2010, 169 homicides had been reported, compared to 191 over the previous 12 months, continuing a trend that has seen a 50 percent drop in murders over the past five years.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the number of annual is the lowest since 1975.
Homicides were down in some areas, but up in others.
The Compton sheriff’s station reported 26 murders over the past 12 months, compared to 38 over the previous 12 months, a 31.6 percent decrease, while the Century station reported 24 homicides, compared to 32 the previous 12 months, down 25 percent.
However, the Temple station reported a 76 percent increase in killings and the Carson station reported a 65.3 percent increase in murders. The number of murders also went up in East Los Angeles, Lakewood and San Dimas.
The report also noted declines in reports of violent crimes and serious property crimes, although the Altadena station reported a 43.8 percent increase in property crimes.
The report details reported crime statistics for the unincorporated communities and 42 contract cities policed by the sheriff’s department and includes numbers for this year, last year and 2005. The 100-page report can be found at www.lasd.org.
