Other Highlights
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: David Beltran
May 7, 2009 (213) 978-0741
30% DROP IN LA HOMICIDES LEADS NATION
Mayor Villaraigosa, Chief Bratton also reported year-to-date
across the board crime reductions
LOS ANGELES – Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, today joined Chief William Bratton
to report a 30% drop in homicides, as well as across the board reductions in the
city’s year-to-date crime statistics.
“Three years ago the residents of this City made an historic investment in a
larger police force, and today that investment is bearing fruit where it matters
most - in lower crime rates, less gang violence, and safer streets," Mayor
Villaraigosa said. “While some may want us to do an about-face in our public
safety strategy and cut off funding for our cops, we must state clearly and
unequivocally that we will never sacrifice the security of our neighborhoods no
matter what the cost."
Reporting reductions in crime across all categories, year-to-date the city has
experienced a 6% drop in overall crime and a 5% decrease in violent crime.
Additionally, LA leads national homicide comparisons with a 30% drop in
homicides.
In the first four months of the year gang crime dropped 7%, and gang related
homicides declined by 30%. Neighborhoods across the city also experienced a
54% decrease in gang related shooting victims.
Under the Mayor’s police hiring initiative, the city continued its historic buildup of
the Los Angeles Police Department and surpassed the largest officer deployment
in the department’s history. Since taking office, the Mayor has expanded the
police force by over 750 officers and remains on track to reach 10,000 officers by
the end of the year.
Complementing the City’s historic police buildup, the Mayor’s office of Gang
Reduction and Youth Development has targeted gang intervention and
prevention efforts where they are needed most – in the areas of highest gang
crime. This summer, the City will once again keep the lights on at parks in the
most gang-ridden neighborhoods with its Summer Night Lights program. Last
year, Summer Night Lights helped to record the City’s safest summer in more
than 30 years.
# # #
May 7, 2009 (213) 978-0741
30% DROP IN LA HOMICIDES LEADS NATION
Mayor Villaraigosa, Chief Bratton also reported year-to-date
across the board crime reductions
LOS ANGELES – Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, today joined Chief William Bratton
to report a 30% drop in homicides, as well as across the board reductions in the
city’s year-to-date crime statistics.
“Three years ago the residents of this City made an historic investment in a
larger police force, and today that investment is bearing fruit where it matters
most - in lower crime rates, less gang violence, and safer streets," Mayor
Villaraigosa said. “While some may want us to do an about-face in our public
safety strategy and cut off funding for our cops, we must state clearly and
unequivocally that we will never sacrifice the security of our neighborhoods no
matter what the cost."
Reporting reductions in crime across all categories, year-to-date the city has
experienced a 6% drop in overall crime and a 5% decrease in violent crime.
Additionally, LA leads national homicide comparisons with a 30% drop in
homicides.
In the first four months of the year gang crime dropped 7%, and gang related
homicides declined by 30%. Neighborhoods across the city also experienced a
54% decrease in gang related shooting victims.
Under the Mayor’s police hiring initiative, the city continued its historic buildup of
the Los Angeles Police Department and surpassed the largest officer deployment
in the department’s history. Since taking office, the Mayor has expanded the
police force by over 750 officers and remains on track to reach 10,000 officers by
the end of the year.
Complementing the City’s historic police buildup, the Mayor’s office of Gang
Reduction and Youth Development has targeted gang intervention and
prevention efforts where they are needed most – in the areas of highest gang
crime. This summer, the City will once again keep the lights on at parks in the
most gang-ridden neighborhoods with its Summer Night Lights program. Last
year, Summer Night Lights helped to record the City’s safest summer in more
than 30 years.
# # #