L.A. Sees Significant Drop in Homicides, Officer-Involved Shootings: Mayor Bass Points to Progress
Los Angeles has witnessed a remarkable decline in homicides and shootings over the past two years, Mayor Karen Bass announced Tuesday. Bass highlighted these encouraging statistics as she approaches the second anniversary of her term in office.
Data released by the Los Angeles Police Department reveals a 28.1% decrease in homicides since 2022. Gang-related homicides have plummeted by more than 50%, while the number of victims shot has dropped by 26.2%.
Tackling Crime, Building a Safer City
“Homicides are down, and our Fire Department has expanded its safety capabilities thanks to urgent action taken to keep Angelenos safe,” Bass said. “But we know many in L.A. still don’t feel safe every day — that must change.”
“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,” she added.
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell joined Bass at the briefing, pledging to prioritize safety in the coming year by focusing on burglaries, motor vehicle thefts, and robberies.
Combating Organized Retail Crime
The mayor also emphasized ongoing efforts to combat organized retail crime theft. In 2023, the city established the Organized Retail Crime Task Force and the Cargo Theft Unit. These specialized teams have made over 350 arrests and recovered more than $66 million worth of stolen merchandise. Composed of personnel from the California Highway Patrol, LAPD, the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, and other regional police agencies, the task force deploys a collaborative approach to dismantle organized crime operations.
“We will continue to crack down on organized retail theft rings that threaten our businesses and neighborhoods,” said Bass. “These
efforts demonstrate our commitment to protecting both our economy and the well-being of our residents.”
Community Programs Drive Positive Change
City officials attributed part of the success in crime reduction to community-based initiatives implemented by the Mayor’s Office of Community Safety.”
Programs like Summer Night Lights (SNL) and Fall Friday Nights have played a vital role in engaging youth, fostering a sense of community, and providing safer spaces for recreation. SNL, for example, provided 316,800 community members with food, programming, and resources. It allowed 12,534 young people the opportunity to play basketball or soccer at parks for free and enabled 2,670 adults to participate in evening sports leagues.
“We know that investing in our communities is key to preventing crime,” Bass explained. “These programs provide valuable alternatives for youth and create a sense of belonging, ultimately contributing to a safer city for everyone.”
Past data has demonstrated that crime decreased in areas where SNL programs were implemented. The LAPD will release data for 2024 in January 2025.
Investing in Fire Department Capabilities
Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley joined Bass at Tuesday’s briefing, highlighting other improvements and efforts to keep Angelenos safe. These included securing historic funding of more than $50 million to replace aging fire trucks and other vehicles and purchase new equipment, enhancing the Fire Department’s ability to respond to emergencies effectively.
“We are committed to providing our firefighters with the resources they need to keep our city safe,” Bass said. “This investment in new equipment is a testament to our commitment to public safety.”
