Homicides fall to lowest level since 1966 in city of LA

The number of homicides in the city of Los Angeles fell by 19% last year, the lowest level in decades, according to a police department report that cited several factors for the decline, including violence reduction strategies and partnerships with community organizations.

There were 230 homicides in the city in 2025, 54 fewer than the previous year, said police Chief Jim McDonnell at a Thursday morning news conference.

The report also shows fewer people were shot citywide, including those who were injured but not killed. Shooting victims were down from 981 to 889, an 8% drop.

Gang-related homicides were down 4%.

The chief credited more effective policing for the crime drop, but acknowledged it's not the only factor.

“Policing plays a critical role in public safety but it is one of a much larger system,” McDonnell said. “Crime trends are influenced by many factors beyond policing, including economic conditions, population changes, substance abuse, homelessness, legislative decisions and access to services.”

Traffic deaths decline

Homicides involving unhoused people remained a major problem, rising 20% last year to 61, according to the LAPD.

The department reported 290 fatal traffic crashes, a decline from the 302 the previous year. Of those, 97 were vehicular manslaughter cases, according to the Police Department.

The report notes traffic deaths are still outpacing homicides across the city.

Citywide, property crimes also fell last year. There were 85,170 theft and other crimes last year compared to more than 205,000 forty years ago.

While crime is generally down, the LAPD has the fewest officers it has had in more than a decade. But its budget still comprises more than half the general fund budget.

“When we invest in our law enforcement, we see safer neighborhoods and real results,” said City Councilmember John Lee, who joined McDonnell at the news conference.

L.A.’s crime picture follows state and national trends. After a spike during the early days of the pandemic, homicides are down nationwide.

LAist has reached out to criminologists for comment, but so far has not received responses.

Reaction to immigration raids

During the news conference, McDonnell addressed concerns that immigrant communities would be less inclined to report crimes and cooperate with police given the tactics of federal immigration agents.

That was “our fear,” McDonnell said.

“While there may have been some lack of reporting, I think we’re on track going in the right direction and trying to regain support in communities that may have waned or been lost,” he said.

While he did not comment directly on the killing of two people by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, the chief was critical of ICE tactics.

“What we’ve seen since June here in Los Angeles and seen across the country, we’re as frustrated as everybody else about the way that’s being done,” McDonnell said.

He said the LAPD will continue its policy prohibiting cooperation with immigration authorities.