LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Los Angeles recorded its fewest homicides in a year since 1966, marking a nearly 60-year low, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
LAPD data shows homicides peaked in 1993 and have steadily declined since.
Chief Jim McDonnell said gun seizures have helped drive the reduction.
“One of the factors impacting that reduction is taking more guns off the street,” McDonnell said. “In 2025, 8,650 firearms were seized by the LAPD.”
The department also reported fewer shooting victims overall.
As part of its annual crime review released Thursday, LAPD announced increased efforts to target organized burglary rings, particularly in the West Valley.
“Through metro division efforts, 109 burglary arrests were made,” McDonnell said. “Twenty-six burglary crews were identified, and 22 firearms were recovered.”
City Councilmember John Lee said the arrests have produced results.
“The Devonshire Division is now experiencing burglary levels at a four-year low,” Lee said.
Despite progress, McDonnell highlighted a troubling trend: traffic fatalities.
LAPD data shows deadly crashes have exceeded homicides for the past three years, with the gap widening.
“We’re prioritizing violations most closely linked to serious collisions,” McDonnell said, including speeding, impaired driving, reckless driving and failure to yield.
Facing budget and staffing challenges, LAPD reassigned more than 600 personnel – including command staff – to increase patrols and visibility.
McDonnell said staffing shortages are expected to continue into 2026.
“We’re going to have to continuously adapt to the circumstances we face,” he said.
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