One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
L.A. Sheriff's Dept. Reports Lowest Homicide Rate Since 1975
A LASD patrol vehicle on the streets of L.A. (Photo by KingoftheHill via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)
New numbers released by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department indicate that the region they patrol is experiencing a continuing downward decline in criminal homicides, resulting in the lowest homicide rate since 1975.
Preliminary data as of the end of July shows a decrease of 21.43 percent in criminal homicides as compared with the 2009 year-to-date figures--127 homicides last year compared to 98 this year. The LASD explains: "This follows a five-year continuous decrease, resulting in a 53.52 percent decrease in homicides as there were five years ago and the lowest homicide rate since 1975."
Two areas known for violent crimes, including homicide, are Compton Station and Century Station, which cover the cities of Compton and Lynwood respectively, as well as unincorporated areas, are both experiencing notable down-trends in homicide; Compton Station is down 41% and Century Station 33% compared to this same time last year.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
