Bass Claims 47% Drop in Homicides as LAPD Promises Neighborhood Data

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass held a press conference on Monday outside the Van Nuys Police Station to argue that her administration has reduced crime rates. The event took place one week before the mayoral election. Bass stated that the city is safer than it was when she took office. She specifically pointed to a new set of figures released by the city.

The city's data compares crime in October 2026 with the same period in October 2022. Bass highlighted a 47% decrease in homicides during that four-year span. An independent analysis by ABC7 compared October 2026 data with the previous year. That review found overall crime down by 9.6% and homicides down by 13.8%. Bass also noted that burglaries in the San Fernando Valley fell by 41% compared to last year.

Two City Councilmembers from the San Fernando Valley joined the mayor at the podium. They highlighted the reduction in local crime rates. Nithya Raman, a Valley councilmember and Bass' opponent in the mayoral race, did not attend the event. Raman represents part of the same district as the councilmembers present.

Rob Glushon, president of the Encino Property Owner's Association, used the platform to criticize Raman. He recalled a surge in burglaries in Encino eighteen months ago. Glushon said Raman was missing in action during that period. He contrasted that with Bass' current focus on Valley safety.

In response, Raman's office issued a statement to Eyewitness News. The statement said Raman worked with the LAPD's West Valley Division and city departments to create a crime suppression strategy for Encino. The office also noted that Raman sent safety updates and resources directly to constituents.

The LAPD has faced questions about its neighborhood-level crime maps. The department stopped releasing this detailed data in 2025. News organizations and research groups have argued the data is necessary for public oversight. The crime data aggregator SpotCrime filed a lawsuit against the LAPD. The suit accused the police department of an unlawful pattern of delaying tactics.

LAPD Assistant Chief Michael Rimkunas said the department is working to release the data again. He acknowledged delays related to mapping and map creation. Rimkunas stated that the department believes the data fully needs to be put out.

The mayor's office released the comparative figures on Monday. The election is scheduled for next week. Bass plans to continue campaigning in the San Fernando Valley.