City officials have reported a notable decrease in violent crimes across Los Angeles, highlighting improvements in public safety as 2024 comes to a close. During a press conference on Monday, Mayor Karen Bass and Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell shared key crime statistics, showing reductions in homicides, aggravated assaults, and robberies.
“Any crime is unacceptable to us, and we know that everyone standing here today knows that we must continue to approach this issue with urgency and precision,” Mayor Bass stated, emphasizing the city’s ongoing commitment to enhancing public safety.
According to newly released data, homicides in Los Angeles dropped by 14 percent, while the number of shooting victims decreased by 19 percent. These improvements have been particularly evident in neighborhoods where community-led initiatives such as the Gang Reduction and Youth Development (GRYD) program and the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) are in place. Three of the four LAPD geographic bureaus reported a decline in homicides, with the Operations-Valley Bureau seeing the most significant reduction at 28 percent. In areas where GRYD and CSP programs were active, homicides dropped by 40 percent.
The number of shooting victims declined by 225 cases, and overall violent crimes, including homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, saw a reduction of 2,586 cases. Aggravated assaults were down by 2,371 cases, while rape incidents decreased by 97. Robberies remained steady, with 8,637 cases in 2024 compared to 8,696 in 2023. To combat gun-related violence, the LAPD confiscated 7,634 illegal firearms, including 790 ghost guns.
Law enforcement efforts extended to property crimes, with the Organized Retail Crime Task Force recovering over $36 million in stolen merchandise and leading to hundreds of arrests. The Heavy Metal Task Force made more than 100 arrests and seized thousands of pounds of stolen copper wire. Citywide property crimes declined by 7,259 cases, including a drop of 1,092 burglary cases and 1,963 fewer motor vehicle thefts. The number of thefts from motor vehicles decreased by 3,988 cases, contributing to the overall reduction in property crimes.
Traffic safety improvements were also reported, with felony hit-and-run crashes resulting in fatalities declining by 6.5 percent. DUI-related fatal crashes dropped by 36.7 percent, and pedestrian deaths from vehicle collisions fell by 7 percent. The Los Angeles Police Department also reported a four-year high in applications to join the force by the end of November 2024, marking a positive step in strengthening law enforcement efforts and ensuring that the city continues to build on its public safety improvements.
Officials credit several factors for the decline in crime, including increased police presence, enhanced community engagement, stricter gun control efforts, and proactive crime prevention strategies. Programs like GRYD and CSP have been instrumental in reducing gang-related violence, particularly in historically high-crime neighborhoods. These initiatives focus on youth intervention, community outreach, and economic opportunities, providing alternatives to crime. The LAPD’s crackdown on illegal firearms has also played a key role in crime reduction. By removing thousands of illegal guns, including ghost guns, law enforcement has reduced the number of potential violent incidents. Advancements in crime detection technology, such as enhanced surveillance, predictive policing, and intelligence-based crime prevention, have also contributed to the city’s declining crime rates.
Residents and business owners have responded positively to the declining crime rates, with many expressing a renewed sense of safety and optimism for the city’s future. Local community leaders acknowledge the city’s investment in public safety initiatives but stress the need for continued action to maintain the progress achieved in 2024. An LAPD spokesperson emphasized that while the numbers are promising, ongoing efforts must continue to ensure that crime reductions are sustained in the years ahead.
As crime rates continue to decline, officials remain focused on expanding crime prevention programs, improving law enforcement recruitment, and strengthening relationships between police and the community. The city remains committed to building safer neighborhoods through targeted enforcement, investment in youth programs, and continued public engagement. With crime on a downward trend, Los Angeles is moving toward a safer and more secure future. City leaders and law enforcement stress the importance of ongoing efforts to ensure lasting improvements. As the LAPD continues to recruit new officers and citywide safety initiatives evolve, residents can expect a continued focus on reducing crime and improving public safety well into 2025 and beyond.
