Los Angeles recorded its lowest homicide total since the 1960s in 2025, even as the Los Angeles Police Department operates with thousands fewer officers than planned.
At a Glance
- 230 homicides in 2025, down 19% from 2024
- Fewest murders since 1966’s 226
- Lowest per-capita murder rate since 1959
- LAPD currently has 8,711 officers, well below Mayor Karen Bass’s goal
Why it matters: The sharp crime drop comes as the city faces looming budget cuts for police hiring and major events including the World Cup, Super Bowl, and 2028 Olympics.
Chief Jim McDonnell delivered the 2025 crime statistics to the Board of Police Commissioners on January 13, 2026, showing broad reductions across violent crime categories.
Record-Low Homicides
“In 2025 the City recorded 230 homicides, representing a 19% reduction from 2024,” McDonnell said.
The tally is the smallest since 1966, when the city logged 226 murders. Adjusted for population growth, the 2025 figure marks the fewest murders per 100,000 residents since 1959.
Other Violent Crime Down
Shootings in which victims survived have fallen below 2007 levels, McDonnell noted. Additional categories showing declines include:
- Robberies
- Burglaries
- Other key indicators the chief referenced but did not specify
The nationwide, multi-year crime decline occurred while the LAPD has fielded fewer officers.
Shrinking Force, Growing Demands
As of this week the department has 8,711 police officers, far fewer than Mayor Karen Bass has envisioned. McDonnell said the lean staffing will be stressed by major upcoming events:
- World Cup Soccer
- Super Bowl
- 2028 Summer Olympic Games
Training Funds Expire Soon
Funding for hiring and training new police officers runs out at the end of January, according to McDonnell. The LA City Council has not identified additional funding to continue training through the end of the City’s fiscal year in June.
News Of Losangeles‘s investigation unit, News Of Losangeles Investigates, focuses on local stories that directly affect the community.
