A recently released report says that in 2010, areas patrolled by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department had the fewest homicides since 1972 and the lowest homicide rate since 1965. Overall 2010 crime declined over 2% compared to 2009, and down 18% in past 5 years.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Crime Statistics 1960-2010 offers more than 100 pages of details showing preliminary reported crime statistics for the 42 contract cities and 130 unincorporated communities at www.lasd.org. Visit the “Crime Prevention and Information” page or access them directly at http://file.lacounty.gov/lasd/cms1_148405.pdf (To review the statistics, open the file, right click with your computer mouse and use the search engine.)

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These preliminary 2010 reported crime statistics are compared to 2009 and to five years ago (2005). Reported crimes for each sheriff’s station and city include homicides, robberies, burglaries, and more.

Preliminary reported crime data for 2010 shows that criminal homicides in sheriff’s patrol areas have decreased by 15.94 percent, compared to the same year-to-date period last year (207 homicides in 2009 compared to 175 in 2010). This follows a five-year continuous decrease, resulting in a 53.23 percent decrease in homicides in 2010 compared to five years ago, and the lowest number of homicides in sheriff’s patrol areas since 1972 (see more information on 1960-2010 homicides below).  Allowing for population changes, 2010 had the lowest homicide rate since 1965. 

Most notable, were decreases in homicides in the Compton Station area (including the city of Compton and nearby unincorporated areas) and Century Station area (which includes the city of Lynwood and nearby unincorporated areas). Compton Station homicides have reduced by 38.15 percent in one year, with 42 homicides in 2009 compared to 26 in 2010. 2010 Compton Station homicides were 67.2 percent less than five years ago. Century Station had 33 homicides during 2009, as compared to 26 homicides in 2010, for a 21.12 percent one year decrease. Century Station’s 2010 homicides were 72.6 percent less than five years ago.

Violent crime in 2010 declined 2.02 percent, and serious property crimes reported (Part I) have declined by 2.81 percent in Sheriff’s patrol areas countywide, compared to 2009. These numbers combine to show a 2.65 percent decrease in overall Part I crimes. Sheriff’s stations experiencing the most significant decreases in overall violent crimes (Part I) over the same period last year included Malibu/Lost Hills Station at 24.8 percent, Walnut Station at 23.8 percent, Marina del Rey Station at 20.4 percent, Industry Station at 20.2 percent and Altadena Station at 20 percent. Overall violent crime in the past 5 years (comparing 2010 to 2005) has declined 16.16 percent, and serious property crimes reported (Part I) have declined by 18.89 percent in Sheriff’s patrol areas countywide in the past five years. These numbers combine to show an 18.35 percent decrease in overall Part I crimes compared to five years ago.

“Thanks to the trust of the public, community partnerships, and the brave and dedicated efforts of the sheriff’s deputies and professional staff of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, we have seen historic lows in crime, said Sheriff Lee Baca. “Our strategy of Suppression, Prevention, Intervention, and Technology continue to make a positive impact on the lives of the people of this county, yet we know there is more to be done.  We will continue to dedicate ourselves to the mission of public safety.”

Homicide Statistics (1960-2010) – Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

Over 100 pages of details showing reported crime statistics for the patrol areas of the unincorporated communities and 42 contract cities policed by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (including preliminary 2010), can be found at www.lasd.org  Visit the “Crime Prevention and Information” page or access them directly at http://file.lacounty.gov/lasd/cms1_148405.pdf

The below chart reflects the number of homicides in the total jurisdiction of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, for 50 years starting with 1960.  2010 is preliminary.  The homicide ratio was calculated using the population increases for each year’s homicides.  See the footnote at the bottom of the chart for more details.

These numbers do not reflect the tragedies and descriptions of the circumstances of each homicide.

Note: Total homicides since 1960 in communities policed by the LASD:

473  homicides in 1995 – the highest number of homicides since 1960
197  homicides in 1973 – the last year before 2010 that there were less than 200 homicides
146  homicides in 1972 – the lowest number of homicides in the last 38 years
1965 – the last year before 2010 that the homicide ratio (allowing for population) was lower

Year/  Count (Actuals)/  Rate per 10,000

2010*    181    0.61
2009      216    0.78
2008      252    0.88
2007      275    0.94
2006      323    1.12
2005      379    1.29
2004      318    1.18
2003      327    1.20
2002      300    1.13
2001      267    1.01
2000      272    0.92 
1999      284    0.87
1998      313    0.98
1997      337    1.09
1996      378    1.22
1995      473    1.60 
1994      465    1.67
1993      439    1.63
1992      465    1.77
1991      462    1.69
1990      432    1.66
1989      365    1.53
1988      337    1.26
1987      336    1.23
1986      323    1.38
1985      287    1.24
1984      308    1.26
1983      278    1.35
1982      293    1.31
1981      332    1.39
1980      372    1.64
1979      350    1.60
1978      300    1.73
1977      286    1.45
1976      248    1.42
1975      230    1.16
1974      212    1.05
1973      197    1.03
1972      146    1.11
1971      188    1.07
1970      131    0.84
1969      141    0.73
1968      123    0.79
1967      116    0.70
1966      73    0.66
1965      78    0.42
1964      67    0.45
1963      50    0.39
1962      80    0.31
1961      50    0.51
1960      52    0.32

*2010 figure is preliminary.

Department-wide homicides from 1960-2010 include all unincorporated areas, contract cities, transit, and custody facilities. 

Note: If a person is injured in one year and dies the next year, it affects which year the numbers are posted. Variations in population coverage and reporting practices may cause differences in reporting from year to year.

Sources: FBI, Uniform Crime Reports, prepared by the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data; Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Statistical Summary 1960-1973
CAP #10-094-LS

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Crime Statistics 1960-2010 include fiscal years 1960-1990, calendar years 1991-2010. Crime rate per 10,000 population; based on reported crimes and population estimates for each year. Source: Statistical Digest/Statistical Summary/Year in Review/Crime & Arrest Statistics books for 1960-2009. 2010 numbers are preliminary.  Actual Crimes are Reported Crimes minus Unfounded.  Contract cities and unincorporated areas patrolled by LASD have changed throughout the years.

Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local sheriff’s station. Or, if you wish to remain anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.