The Region - News from April 19, 1987

Police officials credit a 2.5% drop in major reported crime in Los Angeles so far this year to $8 million in city funding for overtime pay that has put about 200 additional officers on the streets since February. Although some crime categories are up, such as homicides, which increased 1.3%, traffic deaths fell by 10% with a 13.6% decrease in fatal accidents. The greatest declines were in the Western and San Fernando Valley divisions. Nine of the department’s 18 divisions reported overall decreases in crime, led by Hollywood, with an 11.5% drop. The worst rise in reported major crime was in the Southeast Division, up 9.2%.