2013 crime stats

Preliminary year-end crime statistics were released by the Long Beach Police Department Thursday and though there were two more murders in 2013 compared to 2012, Chief Jim McDonnell lauded the Department for achieving the overall lowest rate in violent crime in 41 years.

Though final data won’t be available until mid-January, McDonnell said there is an anticipated 9.3% overall reduction in violent crimes, which include murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault. Drops throughout 2013 include rape, which dropped 11.3% with 102 incidents reported and robbery, which dropped 10% with 1,114 crimes reported, both of which were the lowest numbers on record. Overall, 2,340 violent incidents were reported in 2013 compared to 2012’s 2,706.

“There are no surprises in these stats because we watch them everyday,” McDonnell said at a press conference. “These exceptional numbers are the result of focus, innovation and work ethic demonstrated by our employees.”

Despite overall violent crimes being down, murder was up in 2013 by 6.7% with 32 murders compared to the 30 that occurred in 2012. More than half of 2013’s murders–19 of the 32–were gang-related. In 2012, 14 of the murders were gang-related. 2011 brought a historic low for murder with only 25. 

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Property crimes also saw decreases in 2013, according to the LBPD, with the greatest drops projected in bike theft (25.6%), petty theft over $50 (20.0%) and auto burglaries (18.4%). Slight increases in property crime occured for petty theft under $50, with an increase of 5.5%, and residential burglary, which increased by 1%.

“We have seen an increased level of sophistication amongst criminals,” McDonnell offered as a possible reason for the small upticks in residential burglary and petty theft under $50. “As they increase their specialization in areas of crime, we increase ours in return.”

As for the decreases in many of the violent and property crime categories during 2013, McDonnell said it may have a correlation to the LBPD’s recent smartphone app in addition the department’s oft-advertised “if you see something, say something” policy, noting that “it may turn out to be nothing but that’s what we’re there for.”

“Although we’ve experienced reduced staffing levels in the last several years, I am tremendously proud of and impressed with the outstanding performance and commitment our employees demonstrate to the people we serve,” said McDonnell.

After a 22% reduction in officers over the last five years, LBPD welcomed 40 new officers to the field last month and is expected to add 40 more after another academy class graduates later this year. 

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