Crime in Los Angeles

Crime in Los Angeles has changed a lot over time, with some of the highest amounts happening between the 1970s and 1990s.

In 2012, the Los Angeles Police Department shared that crime in the city had gone down for ten years in a row. By 2013, there were 296 reports of serious harm to people in the city, which means about 6.3 for every 100,000 people. This was much better than 1980, when the number was much higher at 34.2 for every 100,000 people.

In 2014, there were 260 reports of serious harm to people. However, in 2015, it was found that the Los Angeles Police Department had not reported many crimes correctly for eight years, which made the crime rate seem lower than it really was. About 14,000 cases of people being hurt were not counted as serious crimes. Even with these mistakes, the overall trend still shows that crime in Los Angeles has been going down.

The city is watched over by the Los Angeles Police Department, with help from the California Highway Patrol and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Zoot Suit Riots (1943)

Main article: Zoot Suit Riots

The Zoot Suit Riots were a series of disturbances that took place from June 3 to 8, 1943, in Los Angeles, California, United States. During this time, American servicemen and some local residents targeted young Latino and Mexican American people who wore special clothing called zoot suits. These suits used a lot of fabric, which was important for the war effort during World War II, so many thought they were not appropriate. The riots were also influenced by a trial called the Sleepy Lagoon murder, which involved the death of a young Latino man. Youths from different backgrounds, including African American and Filipino American communities, were also affected during these events.

Battle of Sunset Strip (1947–1956)

After Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel passed away, his assistant Mickey Cohen took over some of his business in Los Angeles. Cohen decided not to follow the main crime leader, Jack Dragna, which led to tension between them. Dragna tried to take control by recruiting some of Cohen’s men and creating problems for others.

Eventually, Cohen was put in prison for tax evasion in 1951, and others moved into his business. With many crimes happening and leaders moving into the area, law enforcement began to take stronger action against organized crime. This included shutting down illegal gambling ships and arresting many involved in these activities.

Watts Riots (1965)

Main article: Watts Riots

The Watts riots happened in the Watts neighborhood and nearby areas of Los Angeles from August 11 to 16, 1965. It all began when a man named Marquette Frye was stopped by police for suspected drunken driving. When officers tried to arrest him, a fight broke out. Rumors spread that the police had mistreated someone, which led to six days of unrest. Many people joined in, and it took a large group of guardsmen to help calm things down. Sadly, there were deaths and a lot of damage to property during this difficult time. This was the worst unrest in the city until another event in 1992.

The crack epidemic (1984–1990)

Main article: Crack epidemic

In 1984, a new kind of cocaine called crack started being used a lot in Los Angeles. By mid-1984, problems with drug use and violence grew quickly. Soon, crack was found in many big cities across the country. In South Central, a part of Los Angeles, the situation became very serious. Police had to do many raids there, and many new groups formed. Music, TV, and movies began showing this area as a dangerous place.

1992 Riots

Main article: 1992 Los Angeles riots

The 1992 Los Angeles riots were a series of disturbances that happened in Los Angeles County in April and May 1992. The unrest started in South Central Los Angeles on April 29, after a jury decided not to find four officers from the Los Angeles Police Department guilty of using too much force during the arrest and beating of Rodney King. This incident had been recorded on video and shown widely on television broadcasts.

The riots spread to many areas in the Los Angeles metropolitan area over six days. There was a lot of damage to property, injuries, and arrests. Local police had trouble controlling the situation because they did not have enough people or resources. The situation improved only when the California National Guard, United States military, and several federal law enforcement agencies sent more than 5,000 troops to help stop the violence.

North Hollywood shootout (1997)

Main article: North Hollywood shootout

In 1997, two bank robbers in North Hollywood, California were stopped by police. The robbers were heavily armed and had taken part in several robberies before. During the fight, many officers and bystanders were hurt, but the robbers were stopped. This event showed how important it is for police to be prepared for dangerous situations.

C.R.A.S.H. and the Rampart Scandal (1997/1998)

Main articles: Community Resources Against Street Hoodluds and Rampart scandal

The Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums (C.R.A.S.H.) was a special group in the Los Angeles Police Department. It started in South Central in 1979 to help fight crimes linked to gangs. Each part of the city had its own CRASH team to stop gang problems, which grew because of illegal drugs.

In the late 1990s, a big problem happened involving CRASH. Many police officers were found doing wrong things, like using force without reason, hiding or making up evidence, and stealing. This became known as the Rampart scandal and was one of the largest cases of police wrongdoing ever recorded in the United States.

The investigation started when one officer shared what he knew. It led to many officers being looked at, and some were punished. Because of the wrong evidence, many court decisions were changed. The city faced many lawsuits and had to spend a lot of money to solve these issues.

The Los Angeles May Day mêlée (2007)

Main article: 2007 MacArthur Park rallies

The 2007 MacArthur Park rallies were events on May 1, 2007, in Los Angeles where people gathered to support fair treatment for those living in the country without papers. When the gathering moved into the streets, some people threw items at police officers. In response, officers used tools that were later found to be too harsh. After reviews and discussions, the police leader apologized, some officers faced consequences, and the police paid damages to those affected.

South Central L.A.

Main article: South Los Angeles

South Los Angeles, also called South Central Los Angeles, is a part of the city that has faced many challenges. For many years, it has been known for conflicts among groups that began in the early 1900s. These issues continued with changes in the types of groups over time. Recently, there was an increase in serious incidents in 2021, partly because of difficulties caused by the COVID-19 situation.

Many movies and TV shows have shown this area, which has added to its reputation. These stories often focus on the struggles people face there.

Crips and Bloods feud

Main article: Crips–Bloods gang war

In the late 1960s, after some organizations were no longer active, two new groups formed: the Crips and the Bloods. These groups often clashed, and over many years, many people were hurt or lost their lives because of these conflicts. The problems started because of difficult living conditions, and got worse with other issues such as lack of opportunities and family separation. Experts believe that helping everyone get good education is important for making things better.

San Fernando Valley

Main article: San Fernando Valley

The San Fernando Valley has faced challenges with gang-related crime and violence, especially among its minority communities. While crime levels dropped during the mid-2000s, they rose again after 2014. To help reduce gang violence, the Los Angeles Police Department started using special court orders called gang injunctions. These orders restrict certain activities for known gang members in specific areas.

In the early 1990s, gang-related crimes such as robbery and burglary were common in the Valley. The police used gang injunctions to target these crimes, and this approach helped lower violence in some areas. However, some believe it also pushed gang activity to nearby neighborhoods. Despite these efforts, gang-related crimes began to rise again between 2014 and 2016, with notable increases in certain divisions of the Valley.

Smuggling

During the prohibition era, the waters of the South Coast were used to bring in alcohol. As security at the Mexico–United States border increased, smuggling grew again. In the 2011 fiscal year, over 200 smuggling ships were seen. These ships mostly try to bring drugs and illegal immigrants to San Diego County, but they sometimes go as far north as the California Central Coast. Often, the ships used for smuggling are left behind after they reach land.

Homicides per year

In 2012, Los Angeles saw a drop in crime for the 10th year in a row. By 2013, the city reported 296 homicides, which means about 6.3 homicides for every 100,000 people. This is much lower than in 1980, when the rate was much higher at 34.2 homicides for every 100,000 people.