2010 Homicide Rate in CA Drops to 44-Year Low

A new report by the California Department of Justice found that that the homicide rate last year dropped to its lowest level in 44 years. The total number of homicides declined from 1,970 in 2009 to 1,809 in 2010, according to the report.

There were 4.7 reported homicides for every 100,000 people in 2010, which is a 7.8 percent drop from 2009. The report also concluded that the homicide clearance rate, or percentage of reported crimes that have been solved, has increased for the fifth consecutive year.

Among the highlights in the report:

• 80.3 percent of homicide victims were male, 19.7 percent were female.
• 44.5 percent of homicide victims were Hispanic, 29.6 percent were black, 18.2 percent were white, and 7.4 percent were categorized as "other."
• Females were more likely to be killed in their residence, while males were more likely to be killed on streets or sidewalks.
• When the victim-offender relationship was identified, 44.4 percent (the largest proportion) involved victims who were killed by friends or acquaintances. However a greater percentage of black victims were killed by strangers than were white or Hispanic victims (47.7 vs. 25.4 and 35.4, respectively).
• Of homicides where the weapon was identified, the majority (71.2 percent) involved a firearm.
• Of the homicides where the contributing circumstances were known, 36.1 percent were gang-related.

In the LAPD North Hollywood Division's patrol area, homicides rates remained steady from 2009 to 2010, with 12 occurring each year, according to a COMSTAT report (see attached document).

In 2011 so far, there have been seven reported homicides in the North Hollywood patrol area. In North Hollywood, violent crime was down 7.5 percent and property crime was down 5.1 percent from 2009.

On Feb 23, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian, LAPD Chief of Police Charlie Beck and Deputy Chief Kirk J. Albanese, head of the Valley Bureau, to discuss and celebrate the reduced rates.