Robberies and homicides rise in LA — but both are still lower than 2 years ago

Robberies in Los Angeles continue to be a problem, with an increase of 17.6% — or 505 — compared to this time in 2023, the Los Angeles Police Department said Tuesday.

Interim Police Chief Dominic Choi told police commissioners that while robberies are up as of June 1 compared to same period last year, they are down by 1.2% compared to 2022. Areas with significant robbery increases this year include the Rampart Division with 112 more robberies, Southwest Division with 87 more robberies, and Wilshire Division with an increase of 65 robberies.

There have been 1,638 total reports of robberies this year.

Robberies with firearms are up 4% compared to 2023. Choi said those crimes account for 24.5% of total robberies year-to-date but are down 20.2% compared to 2022. Robberies at locations such as businesses, restaurants, markets, clothing stores and liquor stores account for 894 robberies, up 43.6% year-to-date compared to 2023.

Robberies occurring on streets and parkways increased 6.9%.

Part 1 crime — which includes homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, arson, larceny-theft and motor vehicle theft — is down overall by 2.1% and overall property crime is down 3.2%, Choi said. But violent crime is up 1.1%, he added.

“We still are struggling … with our homicides year-to-date,” Choi told commissioners.

The department has seen an increase of 10.6% (12 homicides) in homicides compared to 2023, but a decrease of 16.7% compared to 2022.

Victims shot citywide decreased by 10.1%, or 49 fewer reports of victims shot, compared to 2023, and are down 24.6% compared to 2022.

While property crimes are trending down, Choi noted that burglaries are up 2.4% as of June 1, with 146 more burglaries compared to 2023, and up 1.1% compared to 2022.

Commercial burglaries in the Central Bureau increased by 15%, and in the South Bureau by 15.6%. Residential burglaries are up by 2.8% compared to 2023, and by 7.7% compared to 2022.

Choi said the department has taken steps to address robberies and burglaries with the formation of specialized task forces, among other efforts.

As for motor vehicle thefts, Choi reported a 5.2% increase compared to 2023, but a 4.8% decrease compared to 2022. The department’s Valley Bureau reports the most significant increase of 21.2% in motor vehicle thefts, or an increase of about 681.

Choi also noted that the department’s sworn personnel level was at 8,838, and civilian personnel staffing stood at 2,630.