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 archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
LAPD Chief says violent crime down, warns of Twitter parties
Chief Beck warned of inadvertently advertising your home's vacancy on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook
(
Oli Scarff/Getty Images
)
Listen
0:44
LAPD Chief says violent crime down, warns of Twitter parties
After touting a drop in crime at his monthly media availability, Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck addressed what may be a new phenomenon - parties inside empty homes promoted on Twitter and Facebook.
"These are parties where, through social media, large groups of primarily young people are made aware of a residence that is vacant," Beck told reporters.
One in ritzy Holmby Hills near UCLA last weekend attracted hundreds of people. A Pacific Palisades teen reportedly told friends that he and his parents were going to Hawaii. A Twitter user is taking credit for bringing the masses to that house.
The chief said he had two messages for people. First, he reminded people its a felony to break into a home.
"Second of all, for those homeowners out there, if you're going to be absent from your residence, don't put it on social media."
And don't let your kids broadcast it around the world either.
As for the latest crime statistics, Beck said violent crime is down 8 percent, but he added homicides are up 9 percent in the first quarter of the year. He played down the increase.
Sponsored message
“That's seven more homicides in a three-month period in a city that typically has 300 a year," he said. "That's not that many.”
The chief said the increase was not gang related – gang crime fell 24 percent. He blamed domestic disputes, often fueled by alcohol. He expressed confidence the bump in homicides would be short-lived, given aggravated assaults are down 6 percent.
“Homicides are just an assault that has a horrible consequence," Beck said. "If assaults are down, homicides typically will trend down eventually.”
The chief noted an increase in auto and home burglaries in the San Fernando Valley. Some commanders have suggested that’s because the state’s transferred prison inmates to county supervision.
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
