The last seven weeks, the period since July 4, has been the lowest period
for crime this year, averaging 87 crimes per week, compared to 111 crimes
during the same period last year.
The big drop in crime comes in auto crime. "We really put the
word out over the last year to lock-it-hide-it-keep-it," explained Capt.
Todd Chamberlain. "We've also stepped up our narcotics arrests,
which has a direct impact on auto crime."
Typically, drug users break into cars and steal cars for a quick buck to buy
drugs and support their habit. Arresting drug users takes them off the
street for a few days at a time, which has a significant impact on car
burglaries.
"Just think how many cars one crook can break into in one night.
Take that person off the street for a few nights in jail, and a week's worth of
crime is cut in half," Capt. Chamberlain explained.
Over the last 4 weeks, police handled nearly 40 fewer car burglaries and 30
fewer car thefts. That's about 18 fewer crimes per week!
Police also attributed the drop in crime to an innovative measure taken
early this year: The Repeat Offender Letter.
We identified 120 persons arrested more than once in our neighborhoods and
we sent them letters, reminding them to stay out of trouble and where to find
resources to stay straight. "It's hard to prove a negative, but we
had NO repeat offenders from among those 120 persons arrested this
year," Chamberlain offered. "Some of those persons were
good for 3 and 4 arrests last year."
LAPD's Mission Area was averaging 98 crimes per week by the middle of last
year. This year, it's averaging 93, and over the last 7 weeks, the
average has been 87.
For the year, the Mission Area has seen 200 fewer crimes over last year, a
6.2% reduction.
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