According to data from the LAPD, murders in Los Angeles dropped by over 20% in the first half of this year, marking the lowest total in this crime category since 2025. Up to June 28, the number of murders reached 116, a significant decrease from 152 during the same period last year.
The downward trend in murders has been ongoing since 2021 when the city saw 400 killings, a situation exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. This decline aligns with national patterns, as cities like Baltimore and Detroit have experienced similar decreases in homicide rates.
Experts suggest that the country may be witnessing one of the most significant reductions in killings ever recorded.
“What we’re observing is part of a broader trend,” said Chalis Cublelin, a criminology professor at UC Irvine. “Homicide rates are trending down across the nation.”
The LAPD did not share murder statistics in the 1970s, but it’s been established that the current figures indicate a potential low point not seen since 1968.
Additionally, areas under the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department also report murders. By May 31, the latest data published, these regions accounted for 58 murders. Last year, 184 people were killed in these areas, which is about 100 more than since 2021.
The statistics on crime offer a stark contrast to the grim portrayal of the city depicted by President Trump and other officials who justified recent military deployment in LA.
Parts of the southern regions of LA, which have experienced higher rates of violent crime, show significant improvements. For instance, the LAPD’s 77th Avenue division in South Los Angeles had a murder rate that exceeded the entire San Fernando Valley in previous years, but last year saw a drop from 63 in 2021 to 38. Nearby areas like Watts have also reduced their murder counts by over a third.
Cubelin and fellow researchers caution against drawing conclusions based solely on year-to-year crime data. She believes that the reasons behind these improvements are likely linked to the complex ways cities have addressed “stress, political divisions, and economic downturns” since 2020.
Historical data shows that after spikes in murders in the early 1990s coincided with a recession, there was a belief that violence increased during economic booms. Yet, a similar economic downturn in the mid-2000s did not translate into higher homicide rates.
While conservatives may attribute crime reductions to aggressive strategies, Cubelin pointed out that other developed Western nations have also seen lower crime rates. The Trump administration proposed cutting federal funding for school safety, youth guidance programs, and gang intervention initiatives by hundreds of millions.
Jeff Asher, a prominent criminologist, attributes the recent decline in killings to “strong investments in communities from both private and public resources post-pandemic.”
Although the LAPD has reduced its size, some critics continue to push for reallocating funds from the police budget towards social programs aimed at alleviating poverty and establishing stable housing.
LAPD Deputy Director Alan Hamilton told the Times that police presence on the streets, in conjunction with efforts from gang interventionists and social workers, likely had a positive impact. However, he warned that these gains could be compromised if officer numbers dwindle due to the city’s fiscal difficulties. There’s also concern that violent incidents may rise in the hotter summer months.
“We certainly increased visibility during the crisis and unrest,” he remarked. Divisional strategies focus on a small group of offenders responsible for most violence. “I think you’re capturing the benefits rather than casting a wide net,” he added.
