West Hollywood saw a large increase in armed robberies during the first six months of this year as compared to the same period the year before, with the majority of those occurring in the city’s gay nightlife district.
A report by the city’s Public Safety Department says armed robbery was up 127% citywide, with 25 incidents in the first half of this year compared to 11 in the same period last year. The increase was 600% (25 incidents) on the city’s Westside, which is home to the bar and nightclub area known as “Boystown.”
The report said that a 28% increase in serious crimes on the city’s Westside “offsets solid reductions in several categories in the City Center and East District. Armed Robbery in the West District increased from 2 incidents to 14 incidents and is the main reason for the 50% increase in Robberies (armed and strong arm) for the whole city.”
Overall, the city experienced a 13% increase in serious crimes in the first six months of this year compared to the same period last year. Of those crimes, 70% can be attributed too car thefts or car break-ins. Crimes against an individual accounted for only 8% of all serious crimes. While it accounted for only a small percentage of overall serious crimes, rape was up 133%, with 14 incidents versus six last year.
Of the nine Part 1 (serious crime) categories, the only decrease was in aggravated assault, which was down 26% (60 incidents) this year. Aggravated assault is an attempt to seriously injure another person. In addition to the 50% increase in robberies, the report notes overall “significant increases” in theft (up 12%) and grand theft auto (up 56%). Robbery is defined as taking something of value from someone through fear or force. Theft is defined as the taking of personal property either by stealing it or engaging in fraud or other illegal activity. The report says that 26% of all robberies in West Hollywood during this period were by a shoplifter who tried to take merchandise and, when confronted, used “force, fear or a weapon to avoid arrest.”
“The City Center had a modest 4.6% increase in Part 1 Crime,” according to the report. “Overall Theft increased 11%, which statistically offset the significant 54% reduction in Aggravated Assault.”
“The East District had a slight 1.78% increase in Part 1 Crime. Aggravated Assault and Burglary showed solid reductions, but Grand Theft Auto increased 64%.”
Another report shows an increase of 128% in the first six months of this year in arrests for possession of methamphetamine, MDMA and ketamine, all illegal drugs. According to the report, 105 arrests were made. Arrests for possession of those illegal drugs for sale increased from five in the first six months of last year to eight in the same period this year.
Arrests for another group of drugs — cocaine, heroin and GHB, increased 45% from 11 to 16. Arrests for possession for sale decreased from six to five.
Arrests for possession of marijuana increased slightly, from two last year to three in the first six months of this year. Arrests for possession for sale increased from seven to nine.
In its report, the Public Safety Department says the city “continues to be a very safe place to live, visit, and work. While West Hollywood’s population is approximately 35,000, on average its daily population more than doubles with the number of people who work and play here.” It also notes that the city is home to a large number of bars and nightclubs and has special events such as LA Pride. There is no data available to determine whether crimes in West Hollywood were committed by local residents or whether the victims of those crimes are local residents or visitors.
