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 fewer reports of serious harm to people in the city. This was much better than 1980, when there were more reports.

In 2014, there were even fewer 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. 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 troubles that happened from June 3 to 8, 1943, in Los Angeles, California, United States. During this time, American servicemen and some local people targeted young Latino and Mexican American people who wore special clothes called zoot suits. These suits used a lot of fabric, which was needed for the war effort during World War II. 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 work in Los Angeles. Cohen chose not to work with the main crime leader, Jack Dragna. This caused trouble between them. Dragna tried to take control by getting some of Cohen’s people to work for him and causing problems for others.

Later, Cohen was put in prison for tax evasion in 1951. After that, others took over his work. With many crimes happening and new leaders coming into the area, the police started to crack down harder on organized crime. This included closing illegal gambling ships and arresting many people 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 in August 1965. It started when a man named Marquette Frye was stopped by police for suspected drunken driving. A fight broke out when officers tried to arrest him. Rumors spread that the police had mistreated someone, and this led to six days of unrest. Many people joined in, and it took guardsmen to help calm things down. Sadly, there were deaths and 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. Soon, this caused big problems with drug use and violence. Crack spread to many big cities. In South Central, a part of Los Angeles, things became very serious. The police had to do many raids, and new groups formed. Music, TV, and movies began to show this area as a dangerous place.

1992 Riots

Main article: 1992 Los Angeles riots

The 1992 Los Angeles riots were disturbances in Los Angeles County in April and May 1992. They began 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 of Rodney King. This incident was shown on television broadcasts.

The riots spread to many areas in the Los Angeles metropolitan area over six days. There was damage to property and many people were injured. Local police had trouble controlling the situation. The situation improved when the California National Guard, United States military, and several federal law enforcement agencies sent 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 armed and had done robberies before. During the fight, some officers and people were hurt, but the robbers were stopped. This event showed that police need to be ready 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.

In the late 1990s, some police officers were found doing wrong things. This became known as the Rampart scandal. Many officers were looked at, and some were punished. The city had to spend 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. 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, and some officers faced consequences. The police also 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 had problems with gang-related crime and violence, especially in some neighborhoods. Crime levels went down in the mid-2000s but went up again after 2014. The Los Angeles Police Department started using special court orders called gang injunctions to help reduce gang violence. These orders limit certain activities for known gang members in specific areas.

In the early 1990s, gang-related crimes like robbery and burglary were common in the Valley. The police used gang injunctions to target these crimes, and this helped lower violence in some areas. However, some think it also moved gang activity to nearby neighborhoods. Despite these efforts, gang-related crimes started to rise again between 2014 and 2016 in some parts 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 got tighter, smuggling grew again. In 2011, over 200 smuggling ships were seen. These ships mostly try to bring drugs and people who were not allowed to enter San Diego County, but sometimes they 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 had fewer crimes than the year before. By 2013, the city reported 296 homicides. This means there were about 6.3 homicides for every 100,000 people. This number is lower than in 1980, when there were about 34.2 homicides for every 100,000 people.