LOS ANGELES (CBS) — The new year has also been a safer one, at least so far: 2011 has seen fewer violent crimes committed in Los Angeles County, according to data released Wednesday.

Violent crime dropped by 9.83 percent in the areas patrolled by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department over the first four months ofthe year compared to the same period in 2010.

Homicides declined by 5.26 percent and serious property crimes by 7.56 percent in the unincorporated areas and 42 cities the sheriff’s department patrols.

More than 100 pages of detailed statistics are available on the sheriff’s department website.

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