MAJOR CRIME DROPS 26.7 PERCENT AT LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IN 2012

major CRIME DROPS 26.7 PERCENT AT los ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT in 2012

            (Los Angeles, California – January 7, 2013)  The number of major crimes which are inclusive of all Part I Crimes reported at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) dropped 26.7 percent last year, and overall crime continues to decline as well, according to 2012 statistics released today by Los Angeles Airport Police. 

The drop in crime occurred while passenger volume is estimated to have increased almost 2.5 percent to nearly 63.4 million passengers last year from 61.8 million passengers in 2011. 

            "Safety doesn’t happen by accident,” Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said.  “The

crime reduction at LAX is a result of our steadfast commitment to the safety of all Angelenos and

the visitors who pass through our city.  We have continually invested in layers of security to ensure

safe, efficient travel for the tens of millions of people who fly through Los Angeles each year.”

            Los Angeles World Airports Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey said, “As we continue to spend billions of dollars to modernize, improve facilities and passenger services at LAX, we are also investing in and increasing our public safety efforts.  We remain committed to ensuring the personal safety and security of everyone at LAX.”

            Total number of all reported Part I Crimes and Miscellaneous Offenses at LAX dropped 13.3 percent to 1,382 in 2012 from 1,594 in 2011.  Part I Crime decreased by 26.7 percent to 359 incidents in 2012 from 490 incidents in 2011.  Miscellaneous offenses decreased by 7.3 percent to 1,023 incidents in 2012 from 1,104 incidents in 2011.  Total number of arrests decreased by 3.5 percent to 1,057 in 2012 compared to 1,095 in 2011.  

Los Angeles Airport Police Chief Patrick Gannon said, “LAX is one of the safest, high-density and high-traffic areas in the City of Los Angeles.  The total number of crimes is remarkably low, given over 200,000 people – travelers, visitors and workers – come to LAX every day.  The 2012 crime statistics are a direct testament to the dedicated hard work provided by every sworn police officer and security officer working together to ensure people and their property are safe and secure while at LAX.”

In the category of Part-I Crime, which includes all major categories of violent crime, there were no homicides or rapes reported.  One robbery was reported last year compared to three robberies in 2011.  Two aggravated assaults reported in 2012, which resulted in arrests, remained consistent when compared to two reported aggravated assaults in 2011.

Reports of Part 1-Property Crime, the more common type of crime that affects the quality of passengers’ experiences at LAX, decreased 26.6 percent to 356 incidents in 2012 compared to 485 in 2011.  Larceny (theft from individuals), the largest category of property crime, dropped 28.3 percent to 304 incidents in 2012 compared to 424 in 2011.  There were eight reports of commercial burglary in 2012, a decrease of 46.7 percent when compared to the 15 reports in 2011.

            Of the nearly 6.2 million vehicles parked in LAX public parking facilities in 2012, there were 17reports of burglary from locked vehicles, a decrease of 10.5 percent compared to 19incidents in 2011.  Property theft from unlocked/unsecured vehicles decreased 17.3 percent to 19 reported incidents in 2012 from 23incidents in 2011.  There were eight reports of motor vehicle theft (grand theft auto) in 2012, four greater than in 2011. 

Miscellaneous Offenses dropped 7.3 percent to 1,023 in 2012 compared to 1,104 in 2011.  The drop in crime comes as a result of increased proactive law enforcement and federal passenger and checked-luggage screening measures.  This category includes but is not limited to prohibited / weapon violations, drug-related offenses, loitering / Illegal lodging, operating vehicle for hire without authority, drunk in public, driving with a suspended or without a valid license, and solicitor violations.

Reports of battery decreased 26.5 percent from 49 in 2011 to 36 in 2012.  Reports of vehicle vandalism from all airport parking facilities, including employee parking lots, decreased 32.5 percent from 43 in 2011 to 29 incidents in 2012.  

*Other Miscellaneous Offenses include but are not limited to prohibited / weapon violations, drug-related offenses, loitering/illegal lodging, operating for hire vehicles without authority, drunk in public, driving with a suspended license or without a valid license, and solicitor violations.

Airport Police statistics cover the approximately 3,600 acres of LAX property, including passenger terminals, parking facilities, aircraft ramps, offices and cargo areas.

Los Angeles Airport Police, a division of Los Angeles World Airports, is the fourth largest law enforcement agency in Los Angeles County with more than 1,200 law enforcement, security and staff personnel.

About Los Angeles International Airport  

LAX is the sixth busiest airport in the world and third in the United States, offering more than 600 daily flights to 91 domestic cities and more than 1,000 weekly nonstop flights to 58 cities in 32 countries on nearly 75 air carriers.  It ranks 13^th in the world in air cargo tonnage processed.