Mayor Bass highlights L.A. crime drop during Boyle Heights visit; Hollenbeck Division homicides down 65%

Statistics released by the Los Angeles Police Department on Monday show overall crime declined citywide in 2024, including a 65% drop in homicides within the Hollenbeck Division, which encompasses Boyle Heights. 

The LAPD analyzed violent crimes, including homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault, as well as property crime such as burglary and theft. The data revealed a 14% drop in homicides and a 19% decrease in shootings across Los Angeles.

Speaking at a news conference on Monday inside the Hollenbeck Police Station, Mayor Karen Bass acknowledged the work needed to sustain the drop in crime across the city. 

“This progress is the direct result of the tireless work of our law enforcement officers, community leaders and residents who have come together to build a safer, stronger city,” Bass said. “Public safety is my top priority and the city of Los Angeles will continue to take bold steps to keep crime down and hold those who commit crime accountable.”

Bass was joined by LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell who hailed the findings as a “significant stride” in the department’s efforts to reduce crime.  

“These improvements are a direct result of strategic policing, targeted enforcement and the invaluable collaboration with community organizations dedicated to violence prevention,” McDonnell said. 

According to McDonnell, homicides in the Hollenbeck Division area specifically decreased by 65%, from 40 incidents in 2023 to 14 incidents in 2024. LAPD’s Hollenbeck Division serves several L.A. neighborhoods east of downtown L.A. such as Boyle Heights, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, Montecito Heights and Hermon. 

More than 100 arrests were made and thousands of pounds worth of copper wire were recovered by the Heavy Metal Task Force, a partnership between the LAPD and Bureau of Street Lighting to curb the copper wire theft that has left L.A. communities in the dark.  

In communities where the Gang Reduction and Youth Development (GRYD) program and the Community Safety Partnership have engaged with communities, homicides dropped 40% per the data analysis. 

Since 2023, violent crimes– including homicide, rape and aggravated assault– decreased by nearly 9%. LAPD also reported reductions in property crimes including burglary, motor vehicle theft and general theft citywide. 

While robberies in 2024 remained at similar levels compared to 2023, LAPD seized 7,634 illegal firearms last year, including 790 ghost guns, according to the department. 

In 2024, LAPD transitioned its data collection process to the National Incident-Based Reporting System to align with the reporting standards mandated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The new system captures data on all offenses within a single incident and includes demographic data of victims and offenders, according to an LAPD press release.