Homicide Rate Hits 45-Year Low in Long Beach

Long Beach police last year recorded the lowest number of homicides in 45 years, according to preliminary year-end statistics released today.

“The ongoing reduction in crime reflects the city’s unwavering commitment to public safety,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “Reducing crime is a priority for the entire city, especially our police department and its dedicated employees.”

Overall violent crime was down 3.2 percent last year compared to 2013 and down 17.8 percent when compared to the five-year average.

Twenty-three people died in homicides in 2014 -- the lowest number since 1969, police said. When finalized, the data should show homicides down 30.3 percent compared to 2013, when police recorded 33 homicides.

Fourteen of the homicides last year were categorized as gang-related.

Rapes and aggravated assaults were up last year, but lower than the average for the past five years.

Property crimes were generally down, with residential burglaries falling 9.7 percent, auto burglaries down 7.6 percent, arsons down 36.5 percent, auto theft down 13.3 percent.

Commercial burglaries, however, rose 4.5 percent, and thefts under $50 were iup 14 percent.

Final statistics for 2014 should be publicly available before the end of the month.

Police Chief Robert Luna, who replaced recently elected Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell, attributed the drop in crime to increased community awareness, citizens participating in crime prevention efforts, and the professionalism and hard work of the police force itself.

Luna said the 2015 budget includes funding to outfit patrol officers with body cameras.

In 2014, police replaced less-than-lethal beanbag shotguns with rifles that shoot 40 mm foam roads.

• City News Service