Property crime in Los Angeles, including burglary, motor vehicle theft, larceny-theft, and arson, has fluctuated over the past five years, with an overall decrease of approximately 6.0% from 2020 to 2024. However, significant spikes in certain years highlight ongoing risks for homeowners and businesses.
2020: Property crimes totaled 85,932, with a rate of 2,204.1 per 100,000 residents, reflecting a pandemic-era low not seen since the 1960s.
2021: Property crimes rose to 91,944, a rate of 2,374.7 per 100,000, driven by increases in larceny-theft (54,552 incidents) and motor vehicle theft (24,307 incidents).
2022: The upward trend continued, with 103,171 property crimes, a rate of 2,698.7 per 100,000, including 25,493 motor vehicle thefts and 62,665 larceny-thefts.
2023: Property crimes peaked at 109,025, a 3.5% increase from 2022, with a rate of 2,832.9 per 100,000, including 15,385 burglaries and 26,827 motor vehicle thefts.
2024: Property crimes decreased by 6.7% to approximately 101,766 incidents, with reductions in burglaries (down 1,092 to 14,248), motor vehicle thefts (down 1,963 to 24,864), and thefts from motor vehicles (down 3,988 to 26,800).
Despite the recent decline, the high volume of property crimes—over 100,000 annually—poses a significant risk to residential homes in Pacific Palisades, high-end estates in Bel Air, and commercial properties on Rodeo Drive. Private security solutions like SGV Patrol’s vehicle patrols, nightly lockup services, and mobile surveillance units are critical to deter theft and vandalism in these high-value areas.
Violent Crime Trends in Los Angeles
Violent crime, encompassing homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, has decreased by 14.2% from 2020 to 2024 but remains 29.7% above the national average, necessitating private security for personal and event protection.
2020: Violent crimes totaled 30,126, with a rate of 761.7 per 100,000, including 258 homicides, 2,528 rapes, 10,327 robberies, and 17,013 aggravated assaults.
2021: Violent crimes slightly decreased to 29,400, a rate of 737.6 per 100,000, with 258 homicides and 9,652 robberies.
2022: Violent crimes dropped to 28,882, a rate of 740.8 per 100,000, with 351 homicides and 8,013 robberies.
2023: Violent crimes rose to 30,956, a rate of 799.5 per 100,000, including 401 homicides, 1,505 rapes, 8,696 robberies, and 20,019 aggravated assaults.
2024: Violent crimes decreased to approximately 26,693, with a 14% reduction in homicides (280 incidents), a 19% drop in shooting victims (around 960), 97 fewer rapes (1,408), and 2,371 fewer aggravated assaults (17,671). Robberies remained stable at 8,637.
Despite reductions, high-risk areas like South Los Angeles and Downtown LA, coupled with the city’s above-average violent crime rate, make private security essential. SGV Patrol’s armed guards, bodyguard services, and VIP protection are tailored to safeguard celebrities, athletes, and residents in Hollywood, Century City, and beyond.
Hate Crimes and Religious-Based Incidents
Hate crimes, particularly those targeting religious groups, have surged in Los Angeles, emphasizing the need for specialized security for community institutions and events.
2020: Los Angeles County reported 180 religious-based hate crimes, with anti-Jewish incidents prominent.
2021: Hate crimes increased, though specific religious data is unavailable.
2022: Hate crimes totaled 930 in LA County, with religious-based incidents continuing to rise.
2023: Hate crimes peaked at 1,350, a 45% increase, with religious hate crimes up 90% to 242 incidents, 83% of which (201) were anti-Jewish.
2024: Hate crimes slightly decreased to 1,057 events, with 188 religious-based incidents, including 108 anti-Jewish (down from 201 in 2023) and others targeting Muslims and Catholics.
The spike in hate crimes, especially in areas like West Hollywood and the Arts District, underscores the value of SGV Patrol’s mobile surveillance and community involvement programs to protect places of worship, community centers, and public gatherings.
Other Criminal Trends Highlighting the Need for Private Security
Additional crime statistics further justify private security in Los Angeles:
Arson: Arson incidents rose from 2,994 in 2020 to 3,531 in 2021, then dropped to 179 in 2023, but remain a concern for commercial and residential properties, necessitating SGV Patrol’s firewatch and patrol services.
Organized Retail Theft: In 2024, the LAPD’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force recovered $36 million in stolen merchandise, highlighting retail crime challenges in areas like Rodeo Drive, where SGV Patrol’s lockup and surveillance services can help.
Metal Theft: The LAPD’s Heavy Metal Task Force made over 100 arrests in 2024 for copper wire theft, indicating infrastructure vulnerabilities that SGV Patrol’s construction site security and mobile patrols can address.
LAPD Staffing Shortages and Stretched Resources
The LAPD’s staffing shortages exacerbate the need for private security. As of 2023, the department had approximately 8,967 officers, down from a peak of 10,000, with recruitment struggles and retirements creating gaps. Response times for non-emergency calls averaged 30–60 minutes in high-crime areas like South LA, and even priority calls faced delays in 2024 due to limited resources. These challenges stretch LAPD thin, particularly in high-demand areas like Downtown LA, Hollywood, and Venice Beach, making SGV Patrol’s rapid-response services—such as armed guards, vehicle patrols, and VIP protection—critical for timely protection.
Why Private Security is Essential in Los Angeles
The crime statistics—fluctuating property crimes, elevated violent crime rates, surging hate crimes, and specific risks like arson and retail theft—combined with LAPD’s staffing shortages, make private security a necessity in 2025. SGV Patrol’s services address these challenges for:
Residents: Protecting homes and estates in Bel Air, Pacific Palisades, or Venice Beach from property crimes and hate-motivated incidents with vacation watch and mobile surveillance.
Businesses: Securing retail stores, offices, and construction sites in Downtown LA, Rodeo Drive, or Century City against theft and vandalism with lockup and vehicle patrol services.
High-Profile Individuals: Offering bodyguard services for celebrities, athletes, and dignitaries in Hollywood or West Hollywood, addressing risks like stalking or public disturbances.
Community Institutions: Safeguarding places of worship and community centers in the Arts District from hate crimes with surveillance and community involvement programs.
FAQs on Los Angeles Crime and Private Security
Is Los Angeles safe in 2025?
While violent crime has decreased by 14.2% from 2020 to 2024, Los Angeles’s violent crime rate remains 29.7% above the national average, and property crimes exceed 100,000 annually. Private security enhances safety in high-risk areas like Downtown LA and South LA.
Why is private security necessary with LAPD present?
LAPD’s staffing shortages (down to 8,967 officers in 2023) lead to response times of 30–60 minutes for non-emergencies. SGV Patrol’s services provide immediate protection, filling gaps in areas like Hollywood or Beverly Hills.
How do hate crimes impact the need for security in LA?
The 45% spike in hate crimes in 2023, with 188 religious-based incidents in 2024, highlights the need for private security to protect community centers and religious sites in areas like West Hollywood or the Arts District.
What types of properties benefit from private security?
Residential homes in Pacific Palisades, high-end estates in Bel Air, and commercial properties on Rodeo Drive all benefit from SGV Patrol’s patrols, surveillance, and lockup services to prevent theft and vandalism.
Protect Your Los Angeles Property with SGV Patrol
With Los Angeles’s evolving crime challenges and strained police resources, private security is more critical than ever. SGV Patrol’s tailored solutions—including armed and unarmed guards, vehicle patrols, lockup, firewatch, and VIP protection—provide comprehensive protection for your home, business, or personal safety. Contact us today to create a customized security plan for your needs in Los Angeles, from Griffith Park to Santa Monica.