LOS ANGELES – Robberies in Los Angeles continue to be a problem, up 17.6% (505 cases) compared to the same period in 2023, the Los Angeles Police Department announced Tuesday.
Interim Police Chief Dominic Choi told police commissioners that as of June 1, robberies are up compared to the same time last year, but are down 1.2% compared to 2022. Areas that have seen a significant increase in robberies this year include the Rampart District, with 112 robberies, the Southwest District, with 87 robberies, and the Wilshire District, with 65 robberies.
A total of 1,638 robberies have been reported so far this year.
Robbery involving a firearm is up 4% compared to 2023. Chey said such crimes make up 24.5% of all robberies so far this year, but are down 20.2% compared to 2022. There were 894 robberies at places such as businesses, restaurants, markets, clothing stores and liquor stores, a 43.6% increase so far this year compared to 2023.
Robberies that occurred on streets and parkways increased 6.9 percent.
Class 1 crimes, which include murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, arson, theft and motor vehicle theft, were down 2.1 percent overall, and overall property crimes were down 3.2 percent, Chey said, but violent crimes were up 1.1 percent, he added.
“Homicides remain high so far this year and we are struggling,” Chay told law enforcement officials.
The police department saw a 10.6% increase in homicides (12 cases) compared to 2023, but a 16.7% decrease compared to 2022.
Citywide, there was a 10.1% decrease in gunshot victims compared to 2023, and 49 fewer reported gunshot victims, a 24.6% decrease compared to 2022.
While property crimes are trending downward, Chey noted that as of June 1, larceny cases were up 2.4%, up 146 cases compared to 2023 and up 1.1% compared to 2022.
Commercial burglary in the Central Division increased by 15% and in the South Division increased by 15.6%. Residential burglary increased by 2.8% compared to 2023 and 7.7% compared to 2022.
Choi said police were taking steps to tackle burglaries and thefts, including forming a dedicated task force.
When it comes to motor vehicle thefts, Chey reported a 5.2% increase compared to 2023, but a 4.8% decrease compared to 2022. The department’s Valley bureau reported the most notable increase, a 21.2% increase in motor vehicle thefts, or an increase of about 681 cases.
Choi also noted that the police station has 8,838 employees and 2,630 civilian employees.