L.A. County Crime Rates Dropped in 2011

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Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department officials on Wednesday said crime rates have dropped more than 4 percent in the past year in all areas patrolled by its deputies, with violent crimes declining by nearly 14 percent and property crimes down by just under 2 percent.

At least three-fourths of Los Angeles County is patrolled by sheriff's deputies, including unincorporated areas and individual contract cities such as Lynwood.

The reduction in crime reported by the sheriff's department , where only one homicide was reported in 2011. 

South Gate Police reported six homicides in 2011, down from seven reported in 2010. Century Station, which patrols Lynwood and some unincorporated areas, including Florence, Firestone, Walnut Park, Willowbrook and Athens Park, did not seen an increase in its homicides, with six homicides occuring in 2011.

Sheriff Lee Baca said initiatives such as education-based prison programs have helped lower the crime rate.

"[The stats] represent as many as 2,015 less crimes [that occurred] in the Sheriff's area, and those successful stories are a result of a team effort," Baca said during a press conference.

Authorities said 2011 had the lowest homicide rate in sheriff’s department patrol areas since 1965.

Preliminary crime data show criminal homicides in 2011 decreased 5 percent in sheriff’s patrol areas compared to the previous year (166 homicides in 2011, 174 in 2010) and 46.23% when compared to 2006.

Some sheriff's department stations saw a slight increase in homicides. The station in City of Industry, which patrols areas close to Baldwin Park, including Basset and La Puente, reported eight homicides in 2011, up from seven in 2010.

Jose Hernandez, a Baldwin Park resident who lives close to where a , said stats don't reflect reality in some neighborhoods.

"Some years ago, you could even sleep at night in your car without fear," Hernandez said. "If you do that today, you probably might not wake up, ever."