DA Gascon’s ‘Lower Crime’ Claims False – State Stats Show Increases

Throughout his re-election campaign, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon has claimed that violent crime is actually down, though he has admitted property crime has increased a teensy bit.

Because of these “facts,” Gascon and his backers – like the Los Angeles Times and other progressive political propaganda purveyors – have said that no matter how unsafe LA “feels,” the public is wrong to think that crime and safety have gotten worse under Gascon.

Turns out the public is right to worry, to say the least.

Every year the state attorney general’s office releases its crime statistics report. The current Attorney General Rob Bonta is a formerly fervent ally of Gascon. This year’s report, released about a week ago, shows that – statewide – both violent and property crimes have increased:

The violent crime rate increased 3.3% in 2023 (from 494.6 in 2022 to 511.0 per 100,000 people) in 2023). From 2018 to 2023, the violent crime rate increased 15.1% (from 444.1 in 2018 to 511.0 in 2023.)

The property crime rate decreased 1.8% in 2023 (from 2,313.6 in 2022 to 2,272.7 in 2023). From 2018 to 2023, the property crime rate decreased 3.8% (from 2,362.8 in 2018 to 2,272.7 in 2023.)

And in Los Angeles, the increases are similar and belie Gascon’s claims of the past nine months.

From 2022 to 2023, violent crime went up from 61,016 total incidents to 61,193, an increase of about 3%.

In the same time period, property crimes went from 244,083 to 256, 613, an increase of nearly 5%.

Looking back to the beginning of his term, the increases are even more apparent, with property crimes going up about 20% and violent crimes increasing about 14%.

One of the most publicly notorious type of crime occurring right now is “smash and grab” theft. While the stats don’t break out how the shoplifting occurred, they do show it has increased – a lot. In 2020, the number was 14,714 – in 2023, 34,303 – that’s an increase of 133%.

In what may be an indication of criminals learning from one another that “shoplifting” isn’t a crime, thanks to Proposition 47,  in 2022, there were 21,217 reported incidents of shoplifting, emphasis on the reported.  2023?  34,303.

Gascon’s opponent in November, Nathan Hochman, blasted the DA for his continuing obfuscation.

“This is evidence that the reality we are experiencing every day in L.A. County is not some illusion, that the escalating criminal activity we’ve been seeing, hearing and feeling is supported by the numbers. We are all less safe with George Gascon as D.A.,” said Hochman. “When you stop prosecuting certain crimes, criminals benefit, crime increases, and the public suffers.”

The DA’s office referred questions regarding this matter to the campaign. The campaign did not respond when asked for comment.

“Rather than being good for public safety, Gascon’s policies have failed. Even before these numbers were released, the public knew Gascon’s pro-criminal policies have harmed Los Angeles County,” Hochman said.  “By failing to enforce certain laws, by reducing the penalties for committing crime, we are all less safe.”

Note – Hochman already leads Gascon in the polls and the fundraising numbers. 

These numbers will not help.