Crime in L.A. has shot up to disturbing numbers
Criminals are bored. They are looking to hurt the most vulnerable people in society. Gangs are growing. Cars are being broken into. Homes are being robbed. People are being assaulted.
Where is Garcetti and why is this surge not being addressed?
In 2020, homicides, shootings and car thefts surged, while robberies, reported rapes and lesser property crimes dropped off. The swings were dramatic, too, with killings hitting a decade high after years of sustained reductions, and shootings increasing nearly 40%. Meanwhile, robberies declined by 17%, and reports of rapes fell 25%.
In late November, the city surpassed 300 homicides in a single calendar year, for the first time since 2009. One week in December saw 14 homicides and 45 shooting victims versus four homicides and 17 shootings in the same week in 2019.
According to the most recent count by the L.A. Times Homicide Report,656 people have been killed in L.A. County during the last 12 months. The tally rose Saturday with the report of an unidentified man found shot dead near Huntington Park just after 7 a.m.
Police analysts have landed on various theories on what is driving the crime trends — including a reduction in overall movement, strains in illicit drug markets, more gunmen opening fire on rivals at close range and police officers being stretched thin in high-crime areas amid citywide emergencies, operational changes and officers quarantining or missing work due to illness.
Steve Gregory from KFI News talked to LAPD officials today and asked questions about why this crime wave keeps growing.
pics/getty images