LAPD Forecasts Crime Decline In 2009

January 6, 2009 8:15 a.m. EST

Los Angeles, CA (AHN) - Los Angeles Police Department chief William Bratton foresees the drop in crime rate LA enjoyed in 2008 to continue in 2009. Bratton particularly pinpointed to expected drops in violence and theft incidents.

Last year, overall violent and property crimes in LA went down by 2.5 percent. It was the first time that homicides in the city decreased to 381, 15 less than 2007 and 40 percent lower from 2002 when Bratton became police chief of LAPD. But the 2.5 percent decrease was half the 5 percent reduction set by the LAPD.

Even if the rising joblessness rate and the economic crisis gripping the U.S. has potentials of causing a spike in property crimes, Bratton said the LAPD's 9,500 officers would be able to maintain peace and order in Los Angeles.

It was not just LA which had experienced a decline in crimes. Other major U.S. cities also registered large drops in crime rates in 2008. According to a study by the Northeastern University released Monday, Milwaukee cut killings by 32 percent, while Detroit, Cleveland, Baltimore, Philadelphia and LA had lesser violent deaths in 2008 compared to 2007.