Crime & Safety

Lakewood Sheriff's Station Reports Decline in Crime for 2011

The city of Artesia did not record a single homicide in 2011, coinciding with an overall drop in violent crime for communities patrolled by the Lakewood Sheriff's Station.

A preliminary review of 2011 crime statistics collected by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department shows that areas patrolled by the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station, including the city of Artesia, experienced an overall decline of Part I Crimes – which includes homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, grand theft auto, and arson.

The Lakewood Sheriff’s Station, which provides law enforcement services to the cities of Artesia, Lakewood, Bellflower, Paramount, and Hawaiian Gardens, reported a 1.1 percent drop in overall crime from 2010, continuing a remarkable downward trend over the last five years of 14.6%, according to the Sheriff's Department.

There were significant decreases in violent crimes, specifically in the categories of homicide, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Cumulatively, these areas of crime were down by 25.5% in 2011.

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Notable decreases in violent crime were also noted as follows:

  • Homicides declined by 12.1 percent
  • Rapes declined by 43.1 percent
  • Robberies declined by 26.1 percent
  • Aggravated assaults declined by 23.4 percent

Highlights of 2011

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The cities of Artesia and Hawaiian Gardens did not record a single homicide in 2011. The city of Paramount had one domestic violence related homicide. However, for the first time since 1966, the city of Paramount did not record a single gang-related homicide, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

Other highlights include a 29.9 percent decrease in aggravated assaults reported in the city of Lakewood, and 33.3 percent drop in robberies for the city of Bellflower.

Sheriff’s officials believe strong partnerships with the cities served along with strong gang intervention and education programs, neighborhood watch, and LA Crime Stoppers have helped contribute to the decline of violence in these communities.

Property Crimes Increase in 2011 But Five Year Scope Still Reflects Downward Trend

Property crimes, including burglary, larceny, grand theft auto, and arson were up slightly in 2011 at 4.1 percent. However, property crimes over the last five years still show a 9.3 percent decrease, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

Grand theft auto has continued to decline at a rate of 4.8 percent, continuing a downward trend of 30.6 percent over the last five years.

“Our crime fighting efforts with the community were significant in 2011 and will continue in 2012,” a Sheriff’s Department statement read, noting that there were numerous instances of citizens reporting suspicious activity, leading to arrests of suspects for burglaries and auto thefts throughout 2011.

The department also said that Special Assignment Team efforts to target thefts would continue this year, as well as the use of both mobile and fixed Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras.

In an effort to encourage community involvement in curtailing crime in these neighborhoods, citizens are asked to report any crime or suspicious activity by contacting the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station at (562) 623-3500. Or if you wish to remain anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), or text the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637,) or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org. 


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