Rape Is on the Rise in Los Angeles County

By Simone Wilson Wed., Jul. 11 2012 at 2:05 PM

partyearth.com

A back-alley rape near this Melrose bar went virtually unreported in May.

L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck held their biannual crime-stats press conference today in typical feel-good fashion: They were proud to announce that for the first half of 2012, violent crimes were down 8.8 percent from last year.

But the same cannot be said for reported rapes over the last six months. For the first time in years, the rape count has shot up 3.6 percent (to a total of 374 rapes).

And the numbers are even worse for L.A. County:

A sheriff's report released at the end of June shows that rapes throughout the county are up 6.33 percent from last year.

Areas of particularly sharp increase include Lancaster, Lynwood, South L.A. and -- most unexpectedly -- the middle-class Santa Clarita Valley, where a chilling 18 rapes were reported in the first half of 2012.

Within L.A. city limits, the the Los Angeles Police Foundation has finally acknowledged that Hollywood is a new problem area for sexual assaults. Officials released the following PSA about two weeks ago "in response to a rise in sexual assaults in the Hollywood area." (It took long enough -- City Hall activist John Walsh has been harping about a Hollywood Boulevard rape surge for months.)

Here is a rough LAPD map with locations and details on the year's reported rapes so far.

So what's fueling this surge in sex crimes?

At today's press conference, Chief Beck blamed some of the 2012 crime increases (which also include car break-ins and personal thefts) on the state's new policy of transferring non-violent prisoners from state prisons to county jails, or even releasing them early.

"To say that [prison realignment] has not had an effect would be hiding from the reality of this subject,'' said the chief.

And in a press release, L.A. County Supervisor Mike Antonovich provided similar rationale for countywide crime rates, which are up almost across the board:

"The District Attorney was right when he predicted that there would be a spike in crime as a result of the Governor's irresponsible realignment program. This law needs to be changed -- our cities and counties are being victimized by it."

L.A. city officials have been known to stretch their crime statistics and exaggerate the level of safety we've reached through ace policing. But they'll have a tough time politicking their way out of this one.

Any theories, Los Angeles, on what could be prompting more predators to pounce?

[@simone_electra / swilson@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]

Tags:

Charlie Beck, crime statistics, rape

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susanhunter510

I was drugged and sexually assaulted February 22nd of this year. I was wearing jeans and a tshirt. I thought that I would report it, a kit would be done, evidence found, and the rapist put away. That's not how our system works at all. I sat in an ER waiting room for 5 hours only to be told a kit couldn't be done there. The drugs dissipated in my system and my rapist walked. He still on the streets today. Out of 100 reported rapes, only one rapist will spend any time in jail, and that can be limited to one day. I want to educate people on how the system really works. Read my journal injusticewillbeserved.blogspot.com and see for yourself how we don't prosecute rapes and let rapists and pedophiles plea bargain back onto the streets and not on sex offender lists.

Guest

As much as I'm disgusted by rape, how do we know that it's not just the number of allegations going up? Seeing as there is virtually minimal to no consequence nor necessity of evidence beyond hearsay for a girl to accuse a guy of rape.

Bewford

Who dont exist on paper.. first paragraph..

Bewford

So woman have no responsibilty to protect themselves? Or the burden needs to be soley with the male? Millions in California who exist on paper? I would very much enjoy to draw additional conclusions, but the story lacks many statistics that could assist targeting a specific group of women to help. As far as outting people in check, I'm married, hang witn married men and havent come across a guy EVER in my life I need 'to check' for preventing this type of crime. However, I know and see plenty of 'girls' that need to be checked everyday...

STFUplease

If the male wants to rape said females then YES!!!!... The resposibility falls on the male. Full Stop. It doesn matter what shes wearing or how she acting. If she doesnt want to have sex with you, back the fuck off. Its really not that complicated.

eatit

Fits the rising demographics to a t. Stay tuned for slayings to be reported as being on the rise, and "honor killings" as well.

STFU please

A "girl" should be able to dress however she wants without some fucktard trying to assualt her. Point. Blank. Period. There are prenty of women/girls who don't dress provocatively and still get raped by sickos. You wanna be a protector of women? Put dudes in check every chance you get.

Bewford

A horrible crime against a woman and these days, many girls have no identity and dress like movie stars. And mothers encourage this at too young an age. Does this justify pedophilia or rape. Hell no.. Unemployed weak men, parent(s) sending out girls dress like ho's into the streets alone all hours of the day and night, girls drinking alcohol; girls wanna be tough like the images portrayed by these 'tough pretty skinny women' on TV contributes to these horrific crimes against women. Women shouldn't have to dress like they are in the middle east, but damn, leave just a little room for a man's imgination.. Am I a male chauvinist? No, but I do consider myself a protector of women.