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Los Angeles County Sheriff's patrol large swaths of land from up in the Antelope Valley to the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Charged with all unincorporated areas such as parts of South LA and communities like Castaic and cities that contract their services like West Hollywood and Santa Clarita, yesterday the agency announced a major drop in crime despite the economic downturn. The news comes on the heels of four fatal deputy-involved-shootings that occurred within one week's time. There have been 153 homicides, 48 fewer than last year and a 23.5 percent drop through September 18th of this year. Violent crimes are down 10 percent while property crimes declined by 11 percent.
As for Los Angeles, the LAPD reports in their last crime statistic report for crimes through September 12th that homicides are down 16.6 percent, or 221 deaths compared to 265 last year. All other crimes are down, too, most notably auto theft, which has declined 17.8 percent, nearly 3,000 fewer than last year this time.
