LOS ANGELES : LAPD Reports Detail Crime Trends, Profile Victims

In its latest batch of reports analyzing recent crime trends, the Los Angeles Police Department released new statistics Thursday that identify clusters of violence and, in a few cases, highlight people who may be especially vulnerable.

The statistical analyses are part of a training exercise and were prepared to hone the computer skills of police officials who are participating in the department’s look at violent crime. They expand on an earlier set of LAPD reports, made public this month, which analyzed crime hot spots in the city.

The reports are being prepared by each of the LAPD’s 18 police stations and vary widely in thoroughness. But some, such as those prepared by the department’s Wilshire and North Hollywood divisions, go into great detail.

In several reports, analysts probed the racial and gender breakdown of crime victims and perpetrators. In the Wilshire Division, for instance, analysts noted that Asian American residents were often victimized at night. “Our research has found that (Asians) often carry large sums of money and often wear expensive jewelry,” the report states.

The statistical analyses were not intended to influence police deployments but will form the basis for the more complete reports now being written, according to department officials. Assistant Chief Bernard Parks has asked officials at each of the city’s police stations to complete that work and submit it to him next month.