This summer, federal immigration enforcement ramped up in the Los Angeles area, and local police were asked for assistance.
Data reviewed indicates that in June, around the time of large street protests in downtown LA, calls for LAPD services plummeted. It appears that immigration and customs enforcement, along with other federal agencies, were scaling back their engagements during this period.
In communities where a significant portion of the population is foreign-born, concerns among advocates have been growing. Many worry that strict immigration enforcement can lead to increased domestic violence and other crimes. Victims often hesitate to report abuses due to fears about their immigration status or police involvement.
Shortly after the immigration raids commenced, calls to the LAPD dropped by 28% compared to the same timeframe the previous year.
On a single day in June 2024, officers responded to nearly 61,000 calls, tallying about 44,000 service requests over two weeks.
The range of reported issues spanned from serious crimes like break-ins and domestic disputes to everyday disturbances, such as noisy neighbors and parties.
However, it’s worth noting that the Times’ analysis only includes LAPD calls for service. Multiple 911 calls about a single incident typically result in just one LAPD service call being recorded.
This downturn was especially marked in reports of suspected domestic violence, which saw a 7% drop this year alongside a 16% decline in general incidents following intensified ICE activities. Although family-related calls eventually returned to prior levels, domestic incidents still reflected a notable decrease.
Experts say the findings suggest a crisis of public trust, recalling a similar trend after high-profile cases such as George Floyd’s death in 2020 and the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson years earlier.
Vida Johnson, a professor at Georgetown University, noted that cities with primarily Latino police forces might see similar dynamics, especially where local authorities support sanctuary city policies.
She remarked, “Fear of law enforcement is prominent, especially among women who might be victimized yet feel hesitant to seek help.”
Some of the initial declines in calls can be attributed to the LAPD’s citywide tactical responses during protests, which redirected resources to focus on serious crimes like shootings and robberies, leaving some other calls unanswered.
Interestingly, despite a return to normal operations, the rates of service calls remained lower. By late June and early July, calls did increase but still reflected about a 5% decrease compared to the same period in 2024.
In particular, the decline in calls was less pronounced in police districts with a majority Latino population. Nevertheless, domestic violence calls continued to see a persistent drop even weeks after the immigration enforcement actions began.
Over the years, LAPD service calls have gradually decreased, which aligns with a decrease in crime rates. LAPD leadership has emphasized their non-involvement in enforcing immigration laws or collaborating with federal agents to maintain public safety.
Yet, community organizers like Carlos Montes express that visible partnerships between the LAPD and federal officials have led to lasting distrust among Angelenos regarding police assistance.
“In our neighborhoods, officers often don’t contribute to solutions; they either make arrests or escalate situations,” he shared.
LAPD’s immigration coordinator, German Hartado, confessed the challenge of reassuring the public that calling the police is safe.
“People view us as an arm of the government, and understandably, many fear deportation,” he explained. “It’s a concern we need to address.”
In light of the recent “negative publicity,” Hartado mentioned that outreach efforts in immigrant neighborhoods are being strengthened, including listening sessions aimed at public education.
The LAPD has initiated a Civic Academy for Spanish speakers, with community leaders welcomed to discuss crime resolution collaboratively.
Mariel Coronel, a boxing gym co-owner, shared her concerns about being profiled when out in public. Recently, her parents advised her on how to handle encounters with the police, highlighting their anxieties about unknown individuals posing as ICE agents.
Her family decided to always carry their passports and advised against rolling down windows without proper identification. Reflecting on her situation while managing her gym, she said, “Even though I’m a U.S. citizen, I just don’t know. It feels like there’s no backing from the government.”
