(The Center Square) — The number of Los Angeles homicides dropped 14% in 2024 from the previous year, officials announced Monday.
There was also a decrease in other violent crimes, Mayor Karen Bass and Police Chief Jim McDonnell said during a news conference. They were joined by Los Angeles police commissioners and community members served by the Hollenbeck division, where a 65% decrease in homicides was reported in 2024.
“This progress is the direct result of the tireless work of our law enforcement officers, community leaders and residents who have come together to build a safer, stronger city,” Bass told reporters. “While we recognize this progress, we remain committed to sustaining these reductions and ensuring that every resident feels safe in their home, on their street and in their community.”
Bass said public safety is her top priority.
Three of Los Angeles’ four geographic police bureaus saw a drop in homicides, according to the city. The Operations-Valley Bureau was the bureau with the biggest decrease, 28%.
Homicides fell 40% in communities with the Gang Reduction and Youth Development program and the Community Safety Partnership, officials said.
The city also reported that the total number of victims shot in 2024 dropped by 19% from 2023.
Officials also reported:
Aggravated assaults fell by 2,371 crimes in 2024 from the 20,042 cases reported in 2023.Rapes decreased by 97 crimes from the 1,505 cases reported in 2023.Robberies dropped slightly with 8,637 crimes in 2024, compared to 8,696 in 2023.Property crimes, which include thefts, burglaries, motor vehicle thefts and thefts of items from motor vehicles, fell by 7,259 crimes in 2024 from the 109,025 reported in 2023.Felony hit-and-runs resulting in deaths dropped 6.5% in 2024 from 2023.Fatalities related to driving under the influence decreased by 36.7%.Traffic crashes resulting in pedestrians’ deaths dropped by 7%.
The numbers reflect the police department’s commitment to public safety and the strength of its partnerships with the community, McDonnell said at the news conference.
“While we celebrate this progress, there is still work to be done, and we realize if you were a crime victim, these numbers may not carry weight. We hear you,” the police chief said. “The LAPD remains committed to ensuring every resident feels safe in their neighborhood. Together, we will continue driving these numbers in the right direction as we look ahead to the rest of 2025.”
