The statistics bear this out, and show both consistent reductions in crime and significant improvements in public safety over the last decade.

Mayor Villaragosa, LAPD's Chief Beck and LAFD's Chief Cummings announced the good news in press appearances yesterday. Here are the two press releases that followed their presentations:

RE: LAPD

Mayor Villaragosa, Chief Beck: 9th Consecutive Year of Crime Reduction in LA Violent crime down 7.3%, property crime down 5.5%, gang crime down 15.2% LOS ANGELES — Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck today announced the City's 2011 year-end crime statistics that showed violent crime and property crime were reduced across Los Angeles for the 9th consecutive year. "Thanks to the hard work of LAPD officers and our gang reduction efforts, crimes rates in Los Angeles are once again at historic lows," Mayor Villaraigosa said. “For nearly a decade crime has declined in LA — this speaks to the impact a record number of police officers has had on our City. In 2012, I remain committed to keeping public safety our top priority and ensuring that our communities continue to enjoy the safety they deserve.” In 2011, the total number of citywide Part 1 crimes was 104,215—a decrease of 5.8%. Citywide violent crime was down 7.3% while property crime was down 5.5%. “For the 9th consecutive year, the officers of the LAPD and the community have worked together to reduce crime in Los Angeles," said Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck. "This year's reduction, 5.8%, is even more remarkable because it was achieved despite the continued fiscal challenges facing the City." Complementing the City's police force, the Mayor's office of Gang Reduction and Youth Development has targeted gang intervention and prevention efforts where they are needed most—in the areas of highest gang crime. Overall gang crime dropped 15.2% which represents a reduction of nearly 843 gang crimes last year. The LAPD also reported a 9.4% reduction in gang-related shots fired. CRIME 2011 vs. 2010 Homicide +.3% Rape -19.9% Robbery -8.0% Aggravated Assault -5.7% TOTAL VIOLENT CRIME -7.3% Burglary -2.3% Burglary Theft from Vehicle -9.0% Personal/Other Theft -1.5% Auto Theft -9.4% TOTAL PROPERTY CRIME -5.5% TOTAL PART I CRIME -5.8% In 2011, the Los Angeles Fire Department continued to serve Angelenos by transporting approximately 500 individuals to local hospitals and responding to nearly 1,000 emergency incidents per day. Los Angeles has the lowest fire fatality rate for any large city and the LAFD averaged 48% below national fire loss levels. ”With over 350,000 calls for service in 2011, the Los Angeles Fire Department is there when you need us,” said Los Angeles Fire Chief Brian Cummings. Also present at the press conference were federal officials from the United States Department of State and the United States Marshal Service who were instrumental in helping the Arson Task Force apprehend the suspected arsonist responsible for the recent string of arson fires. At LAX, the total number of reported crimes dropped 27% to 1,612 in 2011 from 2,220 in 2010. Major crime decreased by 29% to 508 incidents in 2011 from 715 incidents in 2010. Reports of Part 1 Property Crime, the more common type of crime that affects the quality of passengers' experiences at LAX, decreased 29 percent to 503 incidents in 2011 compared to 710 in 2010. “LAX is one of the safest, high-density and high-traffic areas in the City of Los Angeles," said Los Angeles Airport Police Chief George Centeno. “The total number of crimes is remarkably low, given the over 250,000 people – travelers, visitors and workers – come to LAX every day. The 2011 crime statistics are a direct testament to the dedicated hard work provided by every sworn police officer and civilian employee. The City of Los Angeles continues to experience reductions in crime due in part to an expanded police force, more targeted police strategies, community policing, improved enforcement tactics, as well as the implementation of the City's comprehensive gang initiatives. # # #

RE: LAFD

Good News Announced from LA Fire Department January 4, 2012 Dear Friend of the LAFD, At a widely attended press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday morning, January 5, 2012, Los Angeles Fire Chief Brian L. Cummings and other public safety leaders joined Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to share year-end statistics and a perspective of their agency operations in the previous twelve months. Following the Mayor and Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck, Chief Cummings offered the following remarks: "I am here to share with you the Los Angeles Fire Department's fire and life safety response statistics... The information I will provide is an end-of-the-year statistical report for 2011 from January 1st to December 31st: The Los Angeles Fire Department has continued to see a rise in emergency responses, both pertaining to Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The total number of incidents or individual calls for service in 2011, was 379,437; an increase of 1.7%. 83.5% or 316,866 of those calls were for Emergency Medical Service. There were 826,924 individual fire department company responses in 2011; up by 3.9%. 661,765 of those responses were for Emergency Medical Service. That is a 4.1% increase. The Los Angeles Fire Department transported 195,827 patients to area hospitals. A year-to-year increase of 2.1%. We responded to 8099 structure fires in 2011 and the rapid actions of our firefighters saved over a billion dollars in property. That is a decrease of 12 structure fires from 2010. We have seen a 4.9% decrease in fire related civilian injuries with just 97 fire related injuries last year. Tragically, 18 civilian lost their lives in fire last year but this is the lowest fire fatality rate for any large city. Unfortunately, as you all may remember, we lost one member of the LAFD, Firefighter Glenn Allen who died in a line of duty death in 2011. Now I would like to put these numbers in perspective... The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which compiles fire department statistics on a national level, reported that in 2010: In regard to the number of fires per thousand, civilian deaths per million, civilian injuries per million and property loss per capita, the Los Angeles Fire Department averaged 48% below the National levels. I am proud to attribute this to the tireless efforts by the men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department. In looking back over the year [2011], the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to several major newsworthy incidents. There was the 405 Freeway closure in July, where the Los Angeles Fire Department worked closely with its public safety partners in preparation and flawless execution of the closure of this major thoroughfare, insuring adequate medical and fire protection. On September 5, 2011 the Los Angeles Fire Department simultaneously fought two major brush fires threatening the Sun Valley and Mandeville Canyon areas. Due to the aggressive firefighting efforts, these fires were contained to 50 total acres with no loss of life, structures or property. On the afternoon of October 31st, the men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department's quick work saved one of Hollywood's most historic structures, the Magic Castle, known throughout the world as the headquarters for Magicians everywhere. On December 1st, 2011 the City of Los Angeles faced one of the worst wind storms in recent history. The LAFD had 2,447 incidents in one 24 hour period. This is a one-hundred-percent increase in call load for a single day. Along with the 149 fire companies and 130 ambulances which respond daily to render aid, the LAFD prides itself in its specialized units. The Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section investigated 1,509 fires including their vital role in the identification and capture of the serial arson suspect in the New Years arson fires; our Fire Prevention Bureau Brush Inspectors handled 179,451 brush inspections; and our Marine Division responded to 441 calls in 2011. These are just a few of the specialized units that your Fire Department has available to respond in your time of need. Today, I proudly stand before you with the leaders of Public Safety Agencies that respond to your needs 24 hours a day, without fail. Together, we are capable of handling any problem or emergency you may face. Even during these very tough and trying economic times, we remain committed to your needs and remain steadfast in providing the highest level of professional and compassionate service at all times." # # # Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service, Brian Humphrey Firefighter/Specialist Public Service Officer Emergency Public Information (EPI) Center Los Angeles Fire Department "Serving with Courage, Integrity and Pride" Brian Humphrey Status & Location: http://bit.ly/BrianLAFD LAFD Home Page: LAFD.ORG Do You Follow LAFD on Social Media? @LAFD (breaking news) @LAFDtalk (conversation & casual inquiries) @LAFDFireChief (the Fire Chief's personal thoughts) https://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesFireDepartment