Courtesy photo
Wave Wire Services
LOS ANGELES — A day after the Los Angeles Police Department reported an overall reduction in violent crimes in 2024, city officials highlighted what they called the vital role community programs and intervention played in that milestone.
LAPD data showed there was a 45% decrease in gang-related homicides in so-called Gang Reduction and Youth Development zones in the city last year compared to 2023. Those zones also saw a 48% reduction in the number of victims shot in gang-related conflicts.
During a morning news conference March 18, Mayor Karen Bass recognized the Office of Community Safety, Urban Peace Institute, the Los Angeles Violence Intervention Coalition and the City Council for their work in violence prevention.
“The reduction in citywide violence is a testament to the dedication of our community violence interventionalists, law enforcement, and community members and leaders working together to create a safer city,” Bass said. “This is dangerous work — and to everyone who does it day in and day out, we thank you.”
In 2007, city officials established the Mayor’s Office of Gang Reduction in Youth Development to address gang violence by providing intervention, juvenile reentry and prevention services. They also organize community events such as Fall Friday Nights, Gun Guy Back, and Summer Night Lights.
The program currently provides those initiatives in 23 zones in the city.
Fernando Rejón, executive director of Urban Peace Institute, said people who provide community violence intervention can become trusted voices in communities and help break the cycle of violence.
“We must continue to invest in these proven professional to ensure an even safer city for all,” he added.
City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez joined Bass for the announcement. They hailed the results of what they characterized as “community-driven solutions” to public safety.
Harris-Dawson advocated for more funding for these measures because it can “prevent harm before it occurs,” he said.
“The work of community peacemakers goes beyond responding to violence — it prevents harm, transforms lives and rebuilds trust,” Hernandez added.
On March 17, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell and Bass announced homicides dropped 14% and shooting victims decreased by 19% in 2024.
“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.
Other key findings of LAPD’s annual report on crime data showed the following in 2024 compared to 2023:
• Homicide cases decreased 14% (down 47).
• Victims shot cases decreased by approximately 19% (down 225).
• LAPD secured 7,634 illegal firearms, including 790 ghost guns.
• Rape, robbery and aggravated assault, also known as violent crimes, decreased by 2,586 cases (30,574 person/violent crimes in 2023).
• Aggravated assault cases decreased by 2,371 (20,042 aggravated assaults in 2023).
• Rape cases decreased by 97 (1,505 rapes in 2023).
• Robberies remained flat with 8,637 cases (8,696 robberies in 2023).
City officials also celebrated a reduction in property crime and traffic collisions, among other statistics.
“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 my top priority, and the city of Los Angeles will continue to take bold steps to keep crime down and hold those who commit crime accountable.”
McDonnell added that LAPD’s 2024 crime data reflected the department’s commitment to public safety and the strength of community partnerships.
“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,” McDonnell added. “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.”
Although traffic safety remained a challenge in 2024, the police chief noted that fatal felony hit-and-run collisions dropped by nearly 6.5%, with nine fewer cases compared to 2023.
Collisions involving driving under the influence declined by 36.7%, or 11 cases, while fatal vehicle-versus-pedestrian collisions decreased by 7%, or 13 cases, during the same period.
