LA Sees Decrease in Crime Rates: LAPD Unveils 2023 Year End Crime Statistics

LOS ANGELES —  Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore Jan 24 announced crime statistics for the City of Los Angeles in the year 2023.

“We know that many in our city do not feel safe, which is why we are working urgently to address and prevent crime,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “After a series of flash robberies, we launched an organized retail taskforce to address why some Angelenos feel unsafe in our shopping centers. Since the inception of the task force, there has been a 33% reduction in flash robberies and the task force has affected 128 arrests, of which they’ve recovered 15 firearms, and recovered more than $150,000 in stolen property. We know that there is much more work to be done and we will continue our work to ensure all Angelenos feel safe.”

Read more about the Mayor’s efforts to make Los Angeles safer here. 

The following was released Jan 24 by the Los Angeles Police Department:

Homicides

In 2023, there were 327 homicides, which was a 17% reduction in homicides as compared to 2022. All geographic Bureaus within the LAPD saw a reduction in homicides.

• Operations – South Bureau experienced the largest decrease at 23% fewer homicides in 2023 as compared to 2022.
• The homicide clearance rate (proportion of reported crimes that were resolved by an arrest or other, exceptional means) city-wide average was at 76% with Operations – West Bureau leading the Department at a 95% clearance rate. Operations – South Bureau had an 81% clearance rate followed by Operations – Valley Bureau at 80% and Operations-  Central Bureau at a 64% clearance rate.

Violent Crimes

Citywide violent crimes showed a 3.2% decrease in 2023 compared to 2022; however, citywide part 1 crimes showed a 1.9% increase from 2022. Citywide, there was a decrease of 10% (-127) in victims shot in 2023 compared to 2022.  

• Operations – Central Bureau had the largest decrease of 14% (-65) in victims shot in 2023 compared to 2022.
• A catalyst to this decrease in shooting victims was in part to 8,154 firearms seized by the LAPD. The LAPD identified 1,232 of those seized as “ghost guns.” This is 474 fewer than the 1,706 ghost guns identified in 2022, a decrease of 28%.

Property Crimes and Thefts

The citywide property crimes statistics showed a 3.5% increase in 2023. Motor vehicle thefts increased by 2% as compared to 2022. The Organized Retail Theft Task Force made 128 arrests in Los Angeles. During those arrests, LAPD recovered 15 firearms and more than $150,000 in stolen property. The task force has contributed to a 33% reduction in flash robberies.

Traffic

The majority of crashes that caused fatalities are attributed to irresponsible and illegal acts behind the wheel. Driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or some other intoxicating substance, driving at speeds which are inherently unsafe, and driving while distracted by texting or other means are all too often the causes of these traffic crash-related deaths.

• Felony hit and run traffic crashes resulting in a death increased by nearly 23%.
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI)-related crashes resulting in death increased by 32% percent.
• Traffic crashes where a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle resulting in a death increased by almost 13%.

Other Important Statics

• 36% decrease in homeless related homicides in 2023 from 2022.
• 10% reduction in part 1 crimes involving houseless individuals. Part 1 crimes include criminal homicide, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault and burglary.
• 26% decrease in gang related homicides in 2022, and 33% decrease in gang related homicides in 2021.