L.A. homicides are down to near-historic lows but killings of Black men persist
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Set us as preferred Homicides in Los Angeles still are falling, plunging to levels not seen since the 1960s and continuing a dramatic turnaround from the pandemic crime surge.But no matter how low the numbers go, an old pattern persists: Black Angelenos are far more likely to be killed than those of other races.So far this year, 35% of the city’s homicide victims were Black, even though Black people comprise just 8% of the population — roughly the same percentage that they represented 20 years ago.
Black victims accounted for 57 of the 162 recorded homicides through mid-September, the most recent period for which reliable data are available.That is down from 75 at this point last year, when there were 192 slayings.Most experts agree the cause of the decline may not be known for years, and even then there likely will not be one simple explanation, with disparities in access to healthcare, jobs and adequate housing thought to be among the factors that affect crime rates in communities of color.Homicides are down in most big cities nationwide.
In L.A., police divisions that have long struggled with rates of killing — such as Southeast, 77th Street and Newton — again lead the city in homicides.In the 77th patrol area, which covers South L.A.
around Florence Boulevard, 12 of the 20 people killed there through mid-September were Black, a Times analysis found.Roughly a third of the area’s residents are Black.
The latest data show homicides of Latinos fell slightly and remained slightly lower than their population count.Through mid-September, there were 72 Latino victims killed in L.A., compared with 82 over the same period last year.
White victims, who were far fewer in number, also decreased slightly from 28 to 22, while victims whose race was listed as Asian, Middle Eastern or “other” have decreased marginally...