Has the Black-Latino tension and gang violence decreased in the City of LA yet? (crime, neighborhood)

[Cubancoffee]

Just released, violent crime in LA way down. What city do you people live in? And why do you have to turn every thread into a shout-fest about immigration?

Someone posted there were "countless" homicides in LA last year. I believe the number was under 400, the vast majority of which were people killed by people then knew. Still too many, yes, but way under the rate of some other large cities like Philly. Don't be afraid. If you seek out trouble in bad neighborhoods, you will find it. If you're halfway smart about how you conduct yourself, you'll be fine.

[AVMan]

According to today's LA Times, LA records the fewest homicides since 1970:

The city in 2007 recorded the fewest homicides in 37 years, 392, down from 476 the year before.

LAPD officials estimated the per capita crime rate last year was 290 for every 10,000 people. In 1956, when the city had 1.9 million fewer residents, the rate was 385 per 10,000.

The Watts area alone last year saw a nearly 50% drop in homicides, according to LAPD crime statistics.

Bratton said gang killings still account for 54% of the city's homicides. But progress can be made in this area, he said.

"Gang crime or gang-influenced crime is where it is at in this city like nowhere else in the nation."

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It seems like if you are not part of a gang, you should not be too worried. I've lived here for over 10 years, and I've never felt threatened.

[DontH8Me]

According to LA Times and this link:

Los Angeles Times Homicide Map

"Showing 1-25 of 820 homicides since January 1, 2007".

[Cubancoffee]

If you will look closer, the higher number is for LA County.

[Slauson Rosecranz]

It's true that New York, L.A., and Chicago recorded their lowest numbers of homicides in decades.

But if you've been keeping up with Jill Leovy's Homicide Report blog in the L.A. Times, you'll note that the streets are still
PROFOUNDLY violent, and the gang thing is still in full swing.

Also, I think people aren't taking into account the homicide numbers in those cities adjacent to Los Angeles,
particularly Inglewood, Florence-Firestone, Willowbrook, South Gate, and Huntington Park.

No, it's technically not in the L.A. city limits, but it's proximity makes it more than relevent.
It's not like crime (particularly gang related homicides) stops dead in it's tracks at Central Avenue or Van Ness.

In addition to that, we're not taking into account all the assaults with deadly weapons/attempted murders that happened last year.
Yeah, *slightly* less than 400 people were killed last year, but I'll bet *twice* as many people were SHOT (and survived).

Not trying to bum everyone out, I just want people to look at this a bit more objectively. 820 murders in L.A. County is a *CRISIS* situation. The "low" numbers in the city don't offset that.

I seriously doubt that Los Angeles County was averaging 800 murders a year 35 years ago.

[Cubancoffee]

Glass half-empty, glass half-full. Comparing numbers across 35 years is profoundly misleading if you don't take the huge population change into account, too. I don't have the numbers for LA County homicides, but I would imagine that, per capita, they are down too. One murder is too many, I agree, but that shouldn't scare anyone away from coming here if they're so inclined.

And, as was mentioned above, if you're not in a gang and don't provoke gangs, your chances of encountering violence is much lower. I've lived in three areas of Los Angeles and have never come close to being a victim of violent crime and don't know anyone who has, for whatever that's worth.

Last but not least, the original poster is already an LA County resident and was enquiring specifically about the CITY of Los Angeles.

Peace.

[Slauson Rosecranz]

The population numbers aren't as significant as the fact that the county didn't have widespread street gangs, and crack cocaine, when the city's homicide rate was at it's lowest in 1970.

As far as non-gang members "not provoking gangs", I think Ms. Leovy's blog speaks for itself.

Minding your own business obviously wasn't good enough for the numerous people she documented as being murdered as a result of the 'Where are you from?' game. Of course for people who aren't in gang-infested areas, their chances of being randomly attacked by bangers is greatly diminished.

[junkman18]

Originally Posted by traveler guy

WOW. let me guess you timed traveled back from 1945 cause you are one ignorant piece of sh*t . Put your ignorant card away save it for a different time. You act like your all big in that chair but I bet you wouldn't say any of that to some one in watts or Hollywood for that matter.

At this time I have no plans of visiting watts or any other california ghetto so your friends will have to wait for me to say hi..

[sunray]

I don't understand if Mexicans hate black folk so much, then why do they move into black neighborhoods. Why not stay put in East LA or whatever barrio you from.

[UB50]

Originally Posted by Slauson Rosecranz

I take it you're not familiar with Jill Leovy's 'Homicide Report', the "murder blog" she started with the Los Angeles Times.

COUNTLESS innocent people lost their lives last year while simply minding their own business.
Gangbangers issue challenges of "Where are you from?" (what gang are you from) to total strangers, pedestrians, and random passers-by.

In all fairness, if you really read the blog a lot, you should note that most of the murders in the last year have not been "Hispanic vs. Black" murders. Most blacks are murdered by other blacks. Most Hispanics are murdered by other Hispanics. There is not this big "race war" going on. I don't know who made up the "race war" thing but I think it only pertains to a couple of gangs in South Central -- not to all of the gangs in the area. It's very limited.

As a black person, you need to be more afraid of other black people.

As a Hispanic person, you need to be more afraid of other hispanics.