Violent and property crimes as a whole decreased in areas patrolled by the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station in 2012, according to preliminary crime statistics released by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
According to preliminary statistics, "part I crimes"-- which include murder, rape, burglary and assault-- decreased in the area by 4.3 percent overall in 2012.
However, that crime rate is 32.3 percent lower than it was five years ago.
Part I Crimes Totals for Crescenta Valley Station:
- 2007: 935 total
- 2011: 657 total
- 2012: 629 total
As a whole, homicides in Los Angeles County areas patrolled by the Sheriff's Department decreased slightly in 2012 compared with the previous year.
According to preliminary statistics, there were 166 homicides in sheriff's jurisdiction in 2012, compared with 170 in 2011, a 2.58 percent decrease.
The statistics show a "five-year continuous decrease, resulting in a 37.5 percent decrease in homicides in 2012 compared to five years ago, and the lowest number of homicides in sheriff's patrol areas since 1970," according to the department.
In the Crescenta Valley Station's jurisdiction, which includes La Canada Flintridge, unincorporated Montrose, La Crescenta and Lake View Terrace, and much of the Angeles National Forest, there were two homicides in 2012, compared with three homicides in 2011. There was one homicide in 2007.
Countywide statistics for all violent crimes indicated a 3.48 percent increase in 2012, compared with 2011. And "serious property crimes" increased by 4.31 percent in 2012, compared with 2011.
Over a five-year period, however, there were about 24 percent fewer violent crimes in 2012 compared to 2007; and "serious property crimes" decreased by about 14 percent.
"Thanks to the trust of the public, community partnerships, and the brave and dedicated efforts of the sheriff's deputies and professional staff of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, we have seen historic lows in crime," Sheriff Lee Baca said.
More than 100 pages of crime statistic details can be viewed on the sheriff's department website by clicking here.
--City News Service contributed to this report.
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