Crime decreases in most areas patrolled by L.A. Sheriff's Department

LA times ^ | 9/21/2009 | Richard Winton

[dragnet2]

Homicides drop more than other crimes.

Despite the tough economic times, both violent and property crimes are down significantly in areas patrolled by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department so far in 2009

The biggest drop in any major crime category is in homicides, down 23.5% through Sept. 18 this year compared with the same period in 2008.

Crime has decreased despite an economic downturn that has hit particularly hard in some relatively poor neighborhoods patrolled by the Sheriff's Department, including Compton and unincorporated South L.A.

Baca predicted more than a year ago that the ailing economy could result in crime increases, but that has so far not materialized.

Overall, violent crime dropped nearly 10% in the dozens of communities that the Sheriff's Department patrols, running from the Antelope Valley on the north to the Palos Verdes Peninsula on the south and San Dimas on the east. Property crimes also declined 11% so far in 2009 compared with 2008. There have been 153 homicides so far in 2009, 48 fewer than last year.

The Sheriff's Department statistics are echoed in the city of Los Angeles, where homicides are down 16.6%, violent crime has dropped 8% and property crime has declined 7%.

[dragnet2]

This is really pretty interesting, due to the fact that crime has increased in many other parts of the country, while crime has been dropping in the Southern California region for about 9 years now.

Many felt due to a down turn in the economy that crime would increase, but it has done just the opposite.

I personally feel it's partly due to the fact that most people here during tough times, are far less likely to put up with crime, and in part this is likely due to good law enforcement that has actually targeted those that need targeting.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-sheriff-crime22-2009sep22,0,7821877.story?track=rss

[ArmstedFragg]

We’re getting similar numbers locally. Street crime reductions usually track with decreases in the 16-25 population.

[Sioux-san]

Maybe some of our illegals are finding it hard to live in America and have gone home...hence a decrease in violent crime...just saying..

[Winstons Julia]

Is it wrong that I read the headline and thought, “Written by Captain Obvious”?

[dragnet2]

Interesting you mention that.

I can tell you for a fact, that many have left, and it was directly due to a job loss.

However, the crime in the S. Cal region has been dropping for *years* now, not just since the economic downturn of the past 3 years.

[dragnet2]

Don’t know, I have no idea what your thinking or what your point is.

[Sarah Barracuda]

I don’t know where the LA Times has been, but street crime in Los Angeles is still high. Maybe they weren’t aware of the 4 officer involved shootings over the weekend, in your typical areas, Compton, Long Beach, etc. Maybe crime is down, but not in the ghetto areas

[Califreak]

I prefer Sheriffs.

They seem a little more old school.

[Califreak]

Also, don’t Sheriffs have the power to boot out Fedzilla?

(FEMA for example)

[dragnet2]

I don’t know where the LA Times has been, but street crime in Los Angeles is still high. Maybe they weren’t aware of the 4 officer involved shootings over the weekend

It seems you're the one that wasn't aware, that even they covered it.

The key here is 3 suspects were shot and killed, no one else. All gang members, all dead.

Ya see, that is really a good thing and makes for improved crime stats...lol..

[Sarah Barracuda]

True, but there is still high crime here. Every news story begins with “murder here, murder there” crime has improved, just not in the areas they are talking about

[dragnet2]

Please note my last paragraph in post#1.

This is what I meant by good law enforcement, targeting those that need targeting. They did a great job over the week end, and gang blood flowed freely.

[dragnet2]

True, but there is still high crime here.

Compared to what? I'll show you some high crime stats...

Check this, and it's typical for other major cities in other states, that generally have much higher crime rates than California's major cities.

Dallas and Los Angeles Comparative Crime Ratios per 100,000 People

Latest 2006 Crimes per 100,000 People:

	Dallas, TX	Los Angeles, CA	National
Murder:	15	12.4	7
Forcible Rape:	53.28	27.3	32.2
Robbery:	553.9	370	205.8
Aggravated Assault:	584.2	377.2	336.5
Burglary:	1734.7	524.8	813.2
Larceny Theft:	4006.4	1539.2	2601.7
Vehicle Theft:	1116	654.4	501.5

[Sarah Barracuda]

I always love hearing about gang members getting their comeuppance. Perhaps if that were done more often we could get rid of the gang bangers altogether

[Sarah Barracuda]

Your right, I Guess when I watch the news and everything is murder this and murder that, it makes it appear that crime is worse

[Jet Jaguar]

Get off my lawn!

[dragnet2]

We're just jaded, and TV/news geeks knows what sells...if it bleeds it leads...Same old story.

Look, many people are really pissed off due to the economic downturn and our screwed up government etc...

It's my position that even the bad guys understand taking advantage of people that are already really pissed off probably isn't a real smart thing to do. Then throw in cops that shoot to death 3 gang cockroaches in one weekend in separate shootings ..Well...That pretty much sums up the mood of the people IMO.

[dragnet2]

LOL...You got it, read #17.

[Jet Jaguar]

Nodding.

[The Comedian]

Crime drops 100% when presented with the business end of a bang stick.