Valley Violent Crimes Dipped Slightly in ‘93, Statistics Show

Violent crime declined slightly in the San Fernando Valley last year, in line with an overall drop in criminal activity throughout the city, according to statistics released Wednesday by the Los Angeles Police Department.

Across the Valley, there was a 2.1% drop in homicides to 138 from 141 in 1992.

The Foothill Division led all Valley stations in homicides, with 38 reported this year compared to 41 a year ago, according to the report. But the number of homicides at the Devonshire station, located in the Valley’s more affluent northwest section, showed the largest percentage increase, nearly doubling to 33 from 17 in 1992.

“We’re down on everything except on the homicides,” said Capt. Bruce Crosley, who commands the Devonshire station. “And a good chunk of those are at the southeast section of our division.”

Detective Kyle Jackson, who heads the station’s detective detail, said analysis of the homicides showed that gang- and drug-related activities are responsible for the rise in homicides, which are centered around the Sepulveda Corridor area in North Hills.

The station’s CRASH unit is focused on gathering more information to identify gang members, their favorite haunts and popular street drug sale spots, he said.

Assaults, robbery and burglaries in the Valley also declined from the previous year and only rape, which rose about 5.6% to 488 reported incidents from 462 the previous year, increased among those categories listed under violent crimes.

Assaults fell 6.8% to 10,332 from 11,080, while robbery dropped off similarly about 6.5% to 6,758 from 7,229, according to the report. Burglaries fell 9.4% to 16,241 incidents from 17,931.

Throughout the city of Los Angeles, crime fell in nine of 10 major categories, with only a small increase in auto thefts to 16,661 from 16,344, the report said.

In the Valley, auto theft fell 9.8% to 20,159 from 22,342.

In the Foothill, Van Nuys and North Hollywood divisions, overall violent crimes fell for the second consecutive year, the report showed.