Fewer homicides and violent crimes occurred in the city of Los Angeles in 2024 compared to 2023, according to statistics released on March 17 by Mayor Karen Bass and Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell.

The city leaders said Los Angeles is a safer place and crime is trending downward, but more work needs to be done. They stressed vigilance and pledged to continue an aggressive approach to reducing crime.

Homicides decreased 14% citywide in 2024 compared to the previous year, McDonnell said. Person crime, which was formerly classified as violent crime and includes homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault, decreased by 2,586 crimes in 2024 from 30,574 in 2023. The number of victims shot decreased approximately 19%, with 255 fewer shootings in 2024.

Aggravated assaults also decreased by 2,371 crimes in 2024, down from 30,042 aggravated assaults in 2023. Ninety-seven fewer rapes were reported last year, down from 1,505 the previous year.

“As we continue to make the city of Los Angeles safer for residents and visitors, L.A. has seen a decrease in homicides and person crime citywide,” Bass said. “This progress is the direct result of the tireless work of our law enforcement officers, community leaders and residents who have come together to build a safer, stronger city. While we recognize this progress, we remain committed to sustaining these reductions and ensuring that every resident feels safe in their home, on their street and in their community. Public safety is my top priority, and the city of Los Angeles will continue to take bold steps to keep crime down and hold those who commit crime accountable.”

Property crimes also decreased citywide. Nearly 2,000 fewer burglaries were reported, 1,963 fewer vehicle thefts occurred and 3,988 fewer car burglaries were recorded citywide in 2024 compared to 2023.

The decreases extended to the Wilshire and Hollywood divisions. The 2023-24 year-over-year numbers were not available by division, but crime statistics for the early part of 2025 show the downward trend continues in the local area. No homicides have occurred in the Hollywood or Wilshire divisions in 2025. The total number of person crimes decreased 25.7% in February compared to the previous month, and dropped from 207 in 2024 to 145 in 2025 in the Wilshire Division. In Hollywood, the total number of violent crimes decreased 17% in February compared to January, and decreased from 264 in 2024 to 211 in the first part of 2025.

McDonnel said a variety of factors are contributing to the decreases. While high profile crimes often receive media attention, leading to a perception that crime is high, the statistics show a more complete picture of crime trends in the city.

“The 2024 crime data reflects the impact of our ongoing commitment to public safety and the strength of our partnerships with the community,” McDonnell said. “A 14% reduction in homicides and a 19% drop in shooting victims are significant strides in our efforts to reduce crime. These improvements are a direct result of strategic policing, targeted enforcement and the invaluable collaboration with community organizations dedicated to violence prevention. While we celebrate this progress, there is still work to be done and we realize if you were a crime victim these numbers may not carry weight. We hear you. The LAPD remains committed to ensuring every resident feels safe in their neighborhood. Together, we will continue driving these numbers in the right direction as we look ahead to the rest of 2025.”