Reports of crime decreased across Los Angeles in 2023, according to the Los Angeles Police Department’s end of year report on crime statistics.
The report also revealed that the city saw more traffic-related deaths than homicides for the first time in nine years. There were 327 homicides in 2023, which is a 17% decrease from 2022. KNX News’ Craig Fiegener reported that LAPD Chief Michel Moore said the city is safer now than it was a year ago.
Additionally, Moore said the homicide clearance rate was at 76%, with the West Bureau leading the department at a 95% clearance rate. The West Bureau encompasses the Hollywood, Olympic, Pacific, West LA and Wilshire stations.
The South Bureau had an 81% clearance rate, followed by the Valley Bureau at 80% and the Central Bureau at 64%.
"Our analysis of our homicides, when we look to see where these reductions occurred, we see a 26% reduction in gang-related homicides," Moore added.
Violent crimes also decreased last year by 3.2%, compared to 2022, but there was a 1.9% increase in "Part 1 Crimes," an umbrella term for major crimes such as homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault and burglary.
On the down side, property crimes increased by 3.5%. Moore said that thefts are up and that they are being committed too often by people who are armed.
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“Today robberies involving a firearm represent more than 30% of robberies overall in the city of Los Angeles. That number used to be 15 to 20%,” he said. “And every time, as a thought of perception of safety, when a person is confronted by a gun in some type of act of street violence or otherwise, it leaves a lasting scar.”
Motor vehicle thefts increased by 2%, with Kia vehicles accounting for 17% of the total and Hyundai vehicles accounting for 13%.
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