Thursday, November 28

Los Angeles County recorded a 94% increase in homicides in a span of 2 years, said Sheriff Alex Villanueva

Alex Villanueva, jefe del Departamento del Sheriff de Los Ángeles. (Aurelia Ventura/La Opinión)
Alex Villanueva, Chief of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. (Aurelia Ventura/Real America News)

Photo: Aurelia Ventura / Impremedia/Real America News

Ricardo Roura

The homicide rate in areas patrolled by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department increased by 94% Come in 2019 and 800, Sheriff Alex Villanueva declared this Wednesday.

In a press conference, Villanueva said that the rate of major car thefts had an increase of 54% over the same 2-year period.

“I say those are the two obvious numbers because they obviously go in the wrong direction ”, he expressed.

Sheriff Villanueva mentioned that much of this increase in crime rates was due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The social patterns, the behaviors, people at home, businesses close Rados interrupted many cycles of crime and opportunities for crime, but unfortunately, the underlying premise of violent crime, the proliferation of weapons, ‘ghost guns’ on the street, which continues to increase”, he said.

Villanueva mentioned that the increase in 94 % in the homicide rate is unique to Los Angeles County and which may likely be one of the largest jumps in US history.

The Sheriff also attributed the increase to the decision of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to freeze the hiring of more staff in the department at a time when there is a greater need to count with more officers.

“I still have a majority of the board that is determined to defund the Department, and that doesn’t work because the community is suffering directly and as a result of their decisions, not our actions”, he stated.

The Sheriff also pointed out the Los Angeles County Prosecutor, George Gascón , due to the increase in violent crimes due to his policies.

Villanueva trusted in power increase this year the number of sworn marshals from 9,94 to at least 10,500.

Another goal that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will have is to expand the use of body cameras among the agents, an action that has led to a 43% decrease in complaints reported in one year at the stations where the devices have been implemented.

The supervisors and the Prosecutor respond

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathr yn Barger issued a statement on Sheriff Villanueva’s words.

“We must stop the rise in crime rates in our County. The response to combat crime is twofold: perpetrators must face the consequences of breaking the law and funds must be directed to support crime prevention strategies,” said the supervisor.

“The accountability of the police is a top priority for this Prosecutor. He is working to restore the public’s faith in the criminal legal system by holding law enforcement officers who violate the law accountable for their crimes,” said the office of Prosecutor George Gascón in a statement.

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