While down overall in Los Angeles County, crime in the Santa Clarita Valley increased slightly in 2017 compared to 2016, according to preliminary statistics released by Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell on Thursday.

In a continuing effort to provide transparency to the public, McDonnell stood beside his leadership team to present preliminary details of Part I and Part II crime statistics for 2017 and to highlight the decrease in crime from the previous year.

As a result of hard work and dedication to the residents and business partners in the communities that we serve, the preliminary figures demonstrate that most of the county saw a significant decrease.

Between January 1, 2017 and December 26, 2017, Part I offenses, which include criminal homicide, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, grand theft auto and arson, preliminary data showed an overall -4.6 percent change with 73,431 incidents. This compares to 77,007 reported Part I incidents for the same period last year.

“Today, I’m pleased to report significant decreases in crime rates across L.A. County,” McDonnell said. “This represents nearly 3,600 fewer violent crimes or property crimes committed this year.”

Santa Clarita Valley Sees Slight Crime Increase
However, as seen on Pages 40-41 of the report, for Part I crimes overall, the year-to-date crime rate (January 1 through November 30) increased 4.44 percent over 2016 in unincorporated areas of the Santa Clarita Valley.

In the city of Santa Clarita, the Part I crime rate rose 1.41 percent in 2017 over the previous year.

Here’s a breakdown:
Criminal homicide: a 90 percent increase in the city, and a 51.72 percent decrease in unincorporated SCV in 2017 over 2016.

Forcible rape: Down 32.46 percent in the city, up 86.15 percent in unincorporated SCV.

Robbery: No change in the city, up by 33.88 percent in unincorporated SCV.

Aggravated assault: Up 11.19 percent in the city, down 11.92 percent in unincorporated SCV.

Burglary: Up 6.85 percent in the city, down 10.24 percent in unincorporated SCV.

Larceny theft: Up 1.31 percent in the city, up 9.52 percent in unincorporated SCV.

Grand theft auto: Down 5.17 percent in the city, down 7.47 percent in unincorporated SCV.

Arson: Down 28.172 percent in the city, up 58.33 percent in unincorporated SCV.

View the complete 119-page report [here].

Year-to-date Department statistics for 2017 reflect a significant 20 percent decrease in homicides and 27 percent decrease in gang-related homicides, compared to 2016. McDonnell believes this to be attributed to the Central Patrol Division’s 35 percent reduction in homicides between 2016 and 2017.

Century, Compton and East Los Angeles Stations had the most significant decreases in homicides between 2016 and 2017, with 45 percent, 44 percent and 53 percent, respectively.

Decreases were also demonstrated in Part II crimes, which include forgery, fraud and non-sufficient funds checks, felony and misdemeanor sex, non-aggravated assault, weapons, offenses against family, narcotics, liquor/tobacco, drunk-alcohol/drugs, disorderly conduct, vagrancy/quality of life, gambling, drunk driving-vehicle/boat, vehicle/boating, vandalism, warrants, receiving stolen property, federal offenses with and without money, and felony and misdemeanor miscellaneous offenses.

Early data indicate that between January 1, 2017 and December 26, 2017, there were 100,899 Part II offenses, demonstrating a -2.6 percent drop from the 103,563 offenses calculated between the same period in 2016.

The meaningfulness of concentrated attention and strategies implemented by the Department’s Human Trafficking Bureau personnel, directed at impacting illegal, commercial sex was presented in a significant change to the number of felony sex offense statistics.

“Because of their dedicated efforts, 521 arrests were made, and 50 children and 26 adult victims were rescued,” McDonnell said.

Activity from the Human Trafficking Bureau generated 340 reports in 2017, as compared to 92 reports in 2016, which was a 270 percent increase. Specifically within the jurisdiction of Lancaster Station, a 49 percent increase from 100 reported incidents in 2016 to 149 reported incidents in 2017. The Department believes that this increase indicates that work done to outreach and educate the community had more victims willing to seek assistance from law enforcement.

An uptick seen throughout the Department in the category of vagrancy was also noted, with an approximately 196 percent increase in offenses calculated between 2016 and 2017.

The increase from 330 to 978 may be attributed to efforts and contacts made by the Community Partnerships Bureau Homeless Outreach Services Team. Their outreach to the homeless population and continued efforts to assist connects them with housing and healthcare through the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, housing healthcare and many other social services available to those experiencing homelessness.

Community Partnerships Bureau Homeless Outreach Services Team personnel partner with station personnel to conduct outreach missions in their local areas, and are committed to ensuring our homeless population they matter and are protected.

These are a few examples of statistical peaks and valleys, both directly and positively related to the attention of hardworking and dedicated members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

To view the entire press conference, click [here].