Homicides In LA County At A Historic Low
LOS ANGELES (CBS/AP) — Sheriff Lee Baca Wednesday revealed that homicides were at a historic low in Los Angeles County despite an increase in overall crime.
The LA County Sheriff's Department reported that 166 homicides were recorded in its jurisdiction in 2012 compared to 170 in 2011. The figure represented the lowest number since 1970, when there were 143 murders.
The record number showed a "five-year continuous decrease, resulting in a 37.5 percent decrease in homicides in 2012 compared to five years ago," according to the department.
However, overall violent crime in the county increased nearly 3.5 percent in 2012 compared to the previous year, and serious property crimes were up more than 4 percent.
On the other hand, there were about 24 percent fewer violent crimes in 2012 compared to 2007, and serious property crimes decreased by about 14 percent, the department said.
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