Crime & Safety
LASD: Homicides Down 5 Percent Compared to 2011
The city of Cerritos has not had a homicide since 2009, while the city of Artesia launched its first murder investigation of the year when Serafin Garcia was found shot to death in front of his home on Aug. 2.
Homicides in areas and cities patrolled by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department are down 5 percent for the first eight months of 2012 compared to the same period last year, according to statistics available today.
While the numbers are down countywide, the . That case remains under investigation by sheriff's homicide detectives.
There have been no homicides in the city of Cerritos since 2009, according to sheriff's department records.
Find out what's happening in Cerritos-Artesiawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In areas patrolled by sheriff's deputies, 109 people have been killed this year, compared to 116 in the first eight months of 2011, according to the department.
In 2011, the number of homicides per capita were at their lowest level since 1965, according to the department.
Find out what's happening in Cerritos-Artesiawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The first three quarters of 2012 saw an increase of 3.86 percent in overall violent crimes and serious property crimes have increased by 5.01 percent, compared to the first eight months of 2011, officials said.
The sheriff's department patrols unincorporated county areas and provides contract law enforcement services to 42 cities.
To view the latest crime rate figures go to www.lasd.org and visit the "Crime Prevention and Information" page or access them directly by visiting http://file.lacounty.gov/lasd/cms1_148405.pdf .
- MarieSam Sanchez contributed to a portion of this report.