The homicide rate in the city of Los Angeles decreased by 19%, from 284 to 230 between 2024 and 2025, reaching its lowest level since 1966 when 226 murders occurred. “We have implemented a comprehensive strategy based on prevention, intervention, and strategic application of the law.” Mayor Karen Bass stated, “This includes expanding Gang Reduction and Youth Development (GRYD) programs, as well as community violence prevention; increased coordination among city agencies; investment in opportunities for at-risk youth; and strengthening the strategic deployment of the Los Angeles Police Department in high-crime areas.” Bass explained that the results are due to the expansion of housing and social services initiatives to address the root causes of crime, adding programs like Summer Nights and Friday Night in Fall that help keep young people in safe environments. She identified significant reductions in several police divisions in the San Fernando Valley and in parts of South Central, which she said reflect the coordinated work between law enforcement, community leaders, and local organizations that have focused their efforts on prevention and conflict mediation. The reduction in homicides also stems from crime prevention efforts by community outreach workers, religious leaders, youth mentors, nonprofit organizations, and LAPD officers committed to the community policing model. community. “These people work directly in the neighborhoods, building trust, mediating disputes, and connecting residents with resources and opportunities, such as the Justice Fair, which helps people with troubled and violent pasts reintegrate into the community each year by giving them a second chance,” the mayor stated. Gang-related homicides: In 2025, 230 homicides were reported, compared to 284 in 2024, representing a 19% decrease. The number of shooting victims decreased from 981 in 2024 to 899 in 2025, representing an 8% decrease. The LAPD report showed that efforts to reduce gun violence led to a sustained increase in firearm recoveries. In 2025, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) seized 8,650 firearms, which, according to authorities, directly contributed to the reduction in shootings and homicides.The LAPD report showed that there were 61 homicides related to homelessness, a 20% increase by division area, and 100 gang-related homicides, a 4% decrease compared to the previous year. LAPD Shootings on the Rise. However, it is noteworthy that nearly a third of the homicides (61) involved homeless individuals, while at least 100 murders (43.3%) resulted from gang-related criminal activity. "We are addressing this issue from multiple angles: strengthening police presence focused on drug trafficking and exploitation networks, expanding access to addiction treatment and mental health services, and accelerating the transition of homeless individuals to permanent housing. We are also working with community organizations to protect the most vulnerable people and reduce the criminal activity that affects them. On the other hand, the increase in shootings involving Los Angeles Police Department officers is significant. The incidents in 2024 totaled 29, compared to 47 in 2025: a 62% increase that resulted in the deaths of 14 people. “I want to make it clear that every police shooting is thoroughly investigated,” Mayor Karen Bass told La Opinion. “The increase may be linked to encounters with armed individuals or high-risk situations.” The greatest added that training in tension reduction and the use of non-lethal technologies to reduce these incidents continues to be strengthened. “Our goal is always to ensure public safety, while protecting life in all circumstances,” she stated.

Nothing to Celebrate

While it took just over six decades for homicide levels in Los Angeles to be almost the same as those in 1960, Hamid Khan, executive director of the Stop LAPD Spying Coalition (Stop LAPD Spying), Earl Ofari Hutchinson, president of the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable, and Pastor Stephen “Cue” Jn-Marie, founder of The Church Without Walls in the Skid Row community, attribute the decrease in deaths to community initiatives rather than police actions. “Neither the city nor the LAPD can take any credit,” said Hamid Khan. “There are different indicators for a reduction in crime, homicides, and robberies, but the reality is that the police are still killing people.” The activist stated that, in the United States, In 2025, 1,314 people were killed by police, according to http://www.policeviolencereport.org. In Los Angeles, 46 people were shot by LAPD officers, and 14 died. I have considered that, while everyone's goal is to achieve social peace, the expansion of the "police state" in Los Angeles should be a cause for concern, "because they have achieved a massive expansion of surveillance equipment." Earl Ofari Hutchinson explained that the decrease in crime in Los Angeles is not unique and that crime decreases when the economy is strong and there are abundant jobs; furthermore, I have asserted,gang violence decreases when community groups and churches collaborate with young people and offer them constructive programs. "This has always been the case throughout the years, and the same thing happens in other cities," he stated. "There have been fewer tensions, conflicts, and less violence between Black and Latino people in the neighborhoods compared to years past. This is primarily due to the fact that for years both groups have lived, worked, and attended school together in the same neighborhoods and, as a result, have generally developed a cooperative relationship." The African American civil rights leader stated that if murders and robberies decrease in Los Angeles while police shootings increase, “the reduction in crime is good.” “But if it comes at the expense of the continued excessive use of lethal force by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), regardless of how much crime decreases, police conduct remains a serious problem that Mayor [Karen Bass] and Los Angeles city officials must address.” For his part, Pastor “Cue” said he didn't understand why the decrease in homicides should be celebrated and compared to data from six decades ago. "The person who has the least to celebrate is Police Chief [Jim McDonnell] because he is collaborating with ICE, saying that he's not going to enforce the mask law where they're supposed to be removed. And he says he's not going to enforce the law. To me, it's all a distraction." Regarding the 61 homeless people who were murdered [a 20% increase between 2024 and 2025], Mayor Karen Bass reported that the drug dealing and prostitution that occurs every night, particularly in Skid Row, are being addressed “from multiple angles,” by “strengthening the police presence focused on drug trafficking and exploitation networks,” and expanding access to addiction treatment and mental health services. She added that the transition of homeless people to permanent housing is being accelerated. “We are also working with community organizations to protect the most vulnerable people and reduce the criminal activity that affects them,” she emphasized.policeviolencereport.org. In Los Angeles, 46 people were shot by LAPD officers, and 14 died. I have considered that, while everyone's goal is to achieve social peace, the expansion of the "police state" in Los Angeles should be a cause for concern, "because they have achieved a massive expansion of surveillance equipment." Earl Ofari Hutchinson explained that the decrease in crime in Los Angeles is not unique and that crime decreases when the economy is good and there is abundant employment; Furthermore, he asserted, gang violence decreases when community groups and churches collaborate with young people and offer them constructive programs. "This has always been the case throughout the years, and the same thing happens in other cities," he stated. “There have been fewer tensions, conflicts,and less violence between Black and Latino people in the neighborhoods compared to years past. This is primarily due to the fact that for both years groups have lived, worked, and attended school together in the same neighborhoods and, as a result, have generally developed a cooperative relationship.” The African American civil rights leader stated that if murders and robberies decrease in Los Angeles while police shootings increase, “the reduction in crime is good.” “But if it comes at the expense of the continued excessive use of lethal force by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), regardless of how much crime decreases, police conduct remains a serious problem that Mayor [Karen Bass] and Los Angeles city officials must address.” For his part, Pastor “Cue” said he didn't understand why the decrease in homicides should be celebrated and compared to data from six decades ago. “The person who has the least to celebrate is Police Chief [Jim McDonnell] because he is collaborating with ICE, saying that he's not going to enforce the mask law where they're supposed to be removed. And he says he's not going to enforce the law. “To me, it's all a distraction.” Regarding the 61 homeless people who were murdered [a 20% increase between 2024 and 2025], Mayor Karen Bass reported that the drug dealing and prostitution that occurs every night, particularly in Skid Row, are being addressed “from multiple angles,” by “strengthening the police presence focused on drug trafficking and exploitation networks,” and expanding access to addiction treatment and mental health services. She added that the transition of homeless people to permanent housing is being accelerated. “We are also working with community organizations to protect the most vulnerable people and reduce the criminal activity that affects them,” she emphasized.policeviolencereport.org. In Los Angeles, 46 people were shot by LAPD officers, and 14 died. I have considered that, while everyone's goal is to achieve social peace, the expansion of the "police state" in Los Angeles should be a cause for concern, "because they have achieved a massive expansion of surveillance equipment." Earl Ofari Hutchinson explained that the decrease in crime in Los Angeles is not unique and that crime decreases when the economy is good and there is abundant employment; Furthermore, he asserted, gang violence decreases when community groups and churches collaborate with young people and offer them constructive programs. "This has always been the case throughout the years, and the same thing happens in other cities," he stated. "There have been fewer tensions, conflicts, and less violence between Black and Latino people in the neighborhoods compared to years past. This is primarily due to the fact that for years both groups have lived, worked, and attended school together in the same neighborhoods and, as a result, have generally developed a cooperative relationship.” The African American civil rights leader stated that if murders and robberies decrease in Los Angeles while police shootings increase, “the reduction in crime is good.” “But if it comes at the expense of the continued excessive use of lethal force by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), regardless of how much crime decreases, police conduct remains a serious problem that Mayor [Karen Bass] and Los Angeles city officials must address.” For his part, Pastor “Cue” said he didn't understand why the decrease in homicides should be celebrated and compared to data from six decades ago. “The person who has the least to celebrate is Police Chief [Jim McDonnell] because he is collaborating with ICE, saying that he's not going to enforce the mask law where they're supposed to be removed. And he says he's not going to enforce the law. “To me, it's all a distraction.” Regarding the 61 homeless people who were murdered [a 20% increase between 2024 and 2025], Mayor Karen Bass reported that the drug dealing and prostitution that occurs every night, particularly in Skid Row, are being addressed “from multiple angles,” by “strengthening the police presence focused on drug trafficking and exploitation networks,” and expanding access to addiction treatment and mental health services. She added that the transition of homeless people to permanent housing is being accelerated. “We are also working with community organizations to protect the most vulnerable people and reduce the criminal activity that affects them,” she emphasized. While everyone's goal is to achieve social peace, the expansion of the "police state" in Los Angeles should be a cause for concern, "because they have achieved a massive expansion of surveillance equipment." Earl Ofari Hutchinson explained that the decrease in crime in Los Angeles is not unique and that crime decreases when the economy is strong and there are plenty of jobs; Furthermore, he asserted, gang violence decreases when community groups and churches collaborate with young people and offer them constructive programs. "This has always been the case throughout the years, and the same thing happens in other cities," he stated. “There have been fewer tensions, conflicts, and less violence between Black and Latino people in the neighborhoods compared to years past. This is primarily due to the fact that for both years groups have lived, worked, and attended school together in the same neighborhoods and, as a result, have generally developed a cooperative relationship.” The African American civil rights leader stated that if murders and robberies decrease in Los Angeles while police shootings increase, “the reduction in crime is good.” “But if it comes at the expense of the continued excessive use of lethal force by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), regardless of how much crime decreases,“police conduct remains a serious problem that Mayor [Karen Bass] and Los Angeles city officials must address.” For his part, Pastor “Cue” said he didn't understand why the decrease in homicides should be celebrated and compared to data from six decades ago. “The person who has the least to celebrate is Police Chief [Jim McDonnell] because he is collaborating with ICE, saying that he's not going to enforce the mask law where they're supposed to be removed. And he says he's not going to enforce the law. “To me, it's all a distraction.” Regarding the 61 homeless people who were murdered [a 20% increase between 2024 and 2025], Mayor Karen Bass reported that the drug dealing and prostitution that occurs every night, particularly in Skid Row, are being addressed “from multiple angles,” by “strengthening the police presence focused on drug trafficking and exploitation networks,” and expanding access to addiction treatment and mental health services. She added that the transition of homeless people to permanent housing is being accelerated. “We are also working with community organizations to protect the most vulnerable people and reduce the criminal activity that affects them,” she emphasized. While everyone's goal is to achieve social peace, the expansion of the "police state" in Los Angeles should be a cause for concern, "because they have achieved a massive expansion of surveillance equipment." Earl Ofari Hutchinson explained that the decrease in crime in Los Angeles is not unique and that crime decreases when the economy is strong and there are plenty of jobs; Furthermore, he asserted, gang violence decreases when community groups and churches collaborate with young people and offer them constructive programs. "This has always been the case throughout the years, and the same thing happens in other cities," he stated. “There have been fewer tensions, conflicts, and less violence between Black and Latino people in the neighborhoods compared to years past. This is primarily due to the fact that for both years groups have lived, worked, and attended school together in the same neighborhoods and, as a result, have generally developed a cooperative relationship.” The African American civil rights leader stated that if murders and robberies decrease in Los Angeles while police shootings increase, “the reduction in crime is good.” “But if it comes at the expense of the continued excessive use of lethal force by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), regardless of how much crime decreases, police conduct remains a serious problem that Mayor [Karen Bass] and Los Angeles city officials must address.” For his part, Pastor “Cue” said he didn't understand why the decrease in homicides should be celebrated and compared to data from six decades ago “The person who has the least to celebrate is Police Chief [Jim McDonnell] because he is collaborating with ICE,saying that he's not going to enforce the mask law where they're supposed to be removed. And he says he's not going to enforce the law. “To me, it's all a distraction.” Regarding the 61 homeless people who were murdered [a 20% increase between 2024 and 2025], Mayor Karen Bass reported that the drug dealing and prostitution that occurs every night, particularly in Skid Row, are being addressed “from multiple angles,” by “strengthening the police presence focused on drug trafficking and exploitation networks,” and expanding access to addiction treatment and mental health services. She added that the transition of homeless people to permanent housing is being accelerated. “We are also working with community organizations to protect the most vulnerable people and reduce the criminal activity that affects them,” she emphasized. Earl Ofari Hutchinson explained that the decrease in crime in Los Angeles is not unique and that crime decreases when the economy is strong and there are plenty of jobs. He has also asserted that gang violence decreases when community groups and churches collaborate with young people and offer them constructive programs. “This has always been the case throughout the years, and the same thing happens in other cities,” he said. “There have been fewer tensions, conflicts, and less violence between Black and Latino people in the neighborhoods compared to years past. This is primarily due to the fact that for both years groups have lived, worked, and attended school together in the same neighborhoods and, as a result, have generally developed a cooperative relationship.” The African American civil rights leader stated that if murders and robberies decrease in Los Angeles while police shootings increase, “the reduction in crime is good.” “But if it comes at the expense of the continued excessive use of lethal force by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), regardless of how much crime decreases, police conduct remains a serious problem that Mayor [Karen Bass] and Los Angeles city officials must address.” For his part, Pastor “Cue” said he didn't understand why the decrease in homicides should be celebrated and compared to data from six decades ago. “The person who has the least to celebrate is Police Chief [Jim McDonnell] because he is collaborating with ICE, saying that he's not going to enforce the mask law where they're supposed to be removed. And he says he's not going to enforce the law. “To me, it's all a distraction.” Regarding the 61 homeless people who were murdered [a 20% increase between 2024 and 2025], Mayor Karen Bass reported that the drug dealing and prostitution that occurs every night, particularly in Skid Row, are being addressed “from multiple angles,” by “strengthening the police presence focused on drug trafficking and exploitation networks,” and expanding access to addiction treatment and mental health services.She added that the transition of homeless people to permanent housing is being accelerated. “We are also working with community organizations to protect the most vulnerable people and reduce the criminal activity that affects them,” she emphasized. Earl Ofari Hutchinson explained that the decrease in crime in Los Angeles is not unique and that crime decreases when the economy is strong and there are plenty of jobs. He has also asserted that gang violence decreases when community groups and churches collaborate with young people and offer them constructive programs. “This has always been the case throughout the years, and the same thing happens in other cities,” he said. "There have been fewer tensions, conflicts, and less violence between Black and Latino people in the neighborhoods compared to years past. This is primarily due to the fact that for years both groups have lived, worked, and attended school together in the same neighborhoods and, as a result, have generally developed a cooperative relationship." The African American civil rights leader stated that if murders and robberies decrease in Los Angeles while police shootings increase, “the reduction in crime is good.” “But if it comes at the expense of the continued excessive use of lethal force by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), regardless of how much crime decreases, police conduct remains a serious problem that Mayor [Karen Bass] and Los Angeles city officials must address.” For his part, Pastor “Cue” said he didn't understand why the decrease in homicides should be celebrated and compared to data from six decades ago. "The person who has the least to celebrate is Police Chief [Jim McDonnell] because he is collaborating with ICE, saying that he's not going to enforce the mask law where they're supposed to be removed. And he says he's not going to enforce the law. To me, it's all a distraction." Regarding the 61 homeless people who were murdered [a 20% increase between 2024 and 2025], Mayor Karen Bass reported that the drug dealing and prostitution that occurs every night, particularly in Skid Row, are being addressed “from multiple angles,” by “strengthening the police presence focused on drug trafficking and exploitation networks,” and expanding access to addiction treatment and mental health services. She added that the transition of homeless people to permanent housing is being accelerated. “We are also working with community organizations to protect the most vulnerable people and reduce the criminal activity that affects them,” she emphasized. This is primarily due to the fact that for years both groups have lived, worked, and attended school together in the same neighborhoods and, as a result, have generally developed a cooperative relationship.” The African American civil rights leader stated that if murders and robberies decrease in Los Angeles while police shootings increase, “the reduction in crime is good.” “But if it comes at the expense of the continued excessive use of lethal force by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), regardless of how much crime decreases, police conduct remains a serious problem that Mayor [Karen Bass] and Los Angeles city officials must address.” For his part, Pastor “Cue” said he didn't understand why the decrease in homicides should be celebrated and compared to data from six decades ago. “The person who has the least to celebrate is Police Chief [Jim McDonnell] because he is collaborating with ICE, saying he won't enforce the mask mandate where people are supposed to take their masks off.” And she says she's not going to enforce the law. To me, it's all a distraction.” Regarding the 61 homeless people who were murdered [a 20% increase between 2024 and 2025], Mayor Karen Bass reported that the drug dealing and prostitution that occur every night, particularly in Skid Row, are being addressed “from multiple angles,” including “strengthening the police presence focused on drug trafficking and exploitation networks,” and expanding access to addiction treatment and mental health services. She added that the transition of homeless people to permanent housing is being accelerated. “We are also working with community organizations to protect the most vulnerable people and reduce the criminal activity that affects them,” she emphasized. This is primarily due to the fact that for years both groups have lived, worked, and attended school together in the same neighborhoods and, as a result, have generally developed a cooperative relationship.” The African American civil rights leader stated that if murders and robberies decrease in Los Angeles while police shootings increase, “the reduction in crime is good.” “But if it comes at the expense of the continued excessive use of lethal force by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), regardless of how much crime decreases, police conduct remains a serious problem that Mayor [Karen Bass] and Los Angeles city officials must address.” For his part, Pastor “Cue” said he didn't understand why the decrease in homicides should be celebrated and compared to data from six decades ago. “The person who has the least to celebrate is Police Chief [Jim McDonnell] because he is collaborating with ICE, saying he won't enforce the mask mandate where people are supposed to take their masks off.” And she says she's not going to enforce the law. “To me, it's all a distraction.” Regarding the 61 homeless people who were murdered [a 20% increase between 2024 and 2025], Mayor Karen Bass reported that the drug dealing and prostitution that occur every night, particularly in Skid Row, are being addressed “from multiple angles,” including “strengthening the police presence focused on drug trafficking and exploitation networks,” and expanding access to addiction treatment and mental health services. She added that the transition of homeless people to permanent housing is being accelerated.“We are also working with community organizations to protect the most vulnerable people and reduce the criminal activity that affects them,” she emphasized, saying that he's not going to enforce the mask law where they're supposed to be removed. And he says he's not going to enforce the law. “To me, it's all a distraction.” Regarding the 61 homeless people who were murdered [a 20% increase between 2024 and 2025], Mayor Karen Bass reported that the drug dealing and prostitution that occurs every night, particularly in Skid Row, is being addressed “from multiple angles,” by “strengthening the police presence focused on drug trafficking and exploitation networks,” and expanding access to addiction treatment and mental health services. She added that the transition of homeless people to permanent housing is being accelerated. “We are also working with community organizations to protect the most vulnerable people and reduce the criminal activity that affects them,” she emphasized, saying that he's not going to enforce the mask law where they're supposed to be removed. And he says he's not going to enforce the law. “To me, it's all a distraction.” Regarding the 61 homeless people who were murdered [a 20% increase between 2024 and 2025], Mayor Karen Bass reported that the drug dealing and prostitution that occurs every night, particularly in Skid Row, is being addressed “from multiple angles,” by “strengthening the police presence focused on drug trafficking and exploitation networks,” and expanding access to addiction treatment and mental health services. She added that the transition of homeless people to permanent housing is being accelerated. “We are also working with community organizations to protect the most vulnerable people and reduce the criminal activity that affects them,” she emphasized.And he says he's not going to enforce the law. “To me, it's all a distraction.” Regarding the 61 homeless people who were murdered [a 20% increase between 2024 and 2025], Mayor Karen Bass reported that the drug dealing and prostitution that occurs every night, particularly in Skid Row, is being addressed “from multiple angles,” by “strengthening the police presence focused on drug trafficking and exploitation networks,” and expanding access to addiction treatment and mental health services. She added that the transition of homeless people to permanent housing is being accelerated. vulnerable people and reduce the criminal activity that affects them,” she emphasized.And he says he's not going to enforce the law. “To me, it's all a distraction.” Regarding the 61 homeless people who were murdered [a 20% increase between 2024 and 2025], Mayor Karen Bass reported that the drug dealing and prostitution that occurs every night, particularly in Skid Row, is being addressed “from multiple angles,” by “strengthening the police presence focused on drug trafficking and exploitation networks,” and expanding access to addiction treatment and mental health services. She added that the transition of homeless people to permanent housing is being accelerated. vulnerable people and reduce the criminal activity that affects them,” she emphasized.