Homicide Rates Down
Chief Bratton and Mayor Villaraigosa

June 2007

At a news conference held inside the 77th Area Police Station, Chief Bratton and Mayor Villaraigosa announced the dramatic reduction in the city's homicide rate.  The numbers speak for themselves: 24% fewer murders and 32% fewer gang-related murders over the same period last year. 

The Chief attributed the drop to a combination of resources, expertise, help from the community and the collaborative effort between LAPD and government agencies working together under the South Bureau Criminal Gang Homicide Group, established by Commander Pat Gannon.  The group of gang and homicide detectives works with 7 FBI agents, 2 Deputy District Attorneys, as well as City Attorneys and ATF agents to focus on solving murders, including gang murders and attempted murders in the South Bureau, the region of the city where the most gang-related murders occur. 

Citing the latest homicide statistics, the Mayor remarked that Chief Bratton has his support.  He also referenced that, over the past five years, homicides citywide have decreased by more than 43% while gang-related homicides have decreased by 46%.  The Mayor stated the City is statistically as safe as it was 51 years ago, when he was 3 years old.

Commander Gannon addressed the media, and introduced family members of murder victims whose cases were still unsolved.  These family members made pleas to the community for help in solving the cases of their loved ones.  The young daughter of one victim was present and stood next to the Mayor, holding his hand during the conference.

The South Bureau Criminal Gang Homicide Group has cleared 84% of its total caseload thus far in 2007.  The Chief stated the next Bureau to receive a Homicide Group will be Central Bureau, which includes Newton and Hollenbeck Areas.

Also present at the conference were Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, who spoke, as well as Los Angeles FBI Director Stephan Tidwell, Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives Special Agent John Torres, Deputy Chief Charles Beck and Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger.

After the conference, members of the press were invited upstairs to tour the 77th Area Station Homicide Group's workspace.