LAPD Seeks Help As Homicides Spike To Level Not Seen In A Decade

LOS ANGELES, CA — Los Angeles is on pace for one of the deadliest years in more than a decade, with 300 homicides already recorded this year, the Los Angeles police Department announced. It was a particularly violent weekend that brought Los Angeles to this grim milestone — a teenager was shot to death while riding his bike as were a homeless man, a young man and a 41-year-old woman.

The last time homicides topped 300 in the city was in 2009 — another year marked by recession and high unemployment rates. Following the shutdown in March, police began noticing an uptick in killings of homeless people, shootings at house parties, and gang-related homicides plaguing South LA.

According to the LAPD, homicides are up 25 percent over last year and shootings are up more than 30 percent.

Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore told the Los Angeles Times, he is seeing an epidemic of violence mirroring the coronavirus pandemic, but few people are interested in addressing the problem.

“With the health pandemic, we don’t just cross our arms and say, ‘It is what it is.’ We’re taking all types of efforts to flatten the curve, to lower the impact, to save lives. And that’s what I’m asking for us to do with this violent crime,” he told the newspaper. “We have a pandemic of crime right now.”

In an effort to stem the rising number of homicides, the department urged the public to report any useful information to Crimestoppers, a safe and anonymous way to report a crime.

"A number we have not seen in over a decade -- 300 homicides in a year. Senseless violence & tragic loss of life," the LAPD tweeted. "Our people are doing everything they can to stop the violence, but we need your help. If you have any info, report it. You can remain anonymous. http://lacrimestoppers.org."

If an arrest is made in connection with the crime, the reporting party may be able to collect a cash reward.

"I am HEARTBROKEN!!" LAPD Deputy Chief Emada Tingirides tweeted. "It's has been a tragic weekend in Los Angeles to include the murder of a 17 year old riding his motorcycle close to his home. A Weekend like this creates Lasting Trauma in Communities. Praying for South Los Angeles. #WeMustComeTogether."

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.