Reported Crime Drops in Antelope Valley

Reported crime in the Antelope Valley dropped during the first three months of 1991 compared with the first quarter of last year, despite increases in homicides, robberies and assaults, Los Angeles sheriff’s deputies said Thursday.

The number of reported serious crimes fell 12%. The crime rate, which takes into account the population increase in the region, fell 18%.

Homicides increased to eight, up from five reported in the first quarter of 1990. Reported robberies were up 18% and assaults rose 7%. But reported rapes declined 13%, burglaries were down 25%, larceny was down 9%, auto thefts were down 28% and arson declined by 54%, deputies said.

In individual communities, reported crime rose 1% in Palmdale, fell 4% in Lancaster and dropped 59% in unincorporated areas. When adjusted for population increases, however, Palmdale’s crime rate posted a 20% decline and Lancaster a 7% decrease, deputies said.