Comparing characteristics of gang-related and other homicides in Los Angeles County from 2010-11 using CalEVDRS data

Background

Rates of violence have been decreasing nationwide since the 1990s. Some communities remain disproportionately impacted, particularly youth and young adults ages 15-24. We compared characteristics of gang-related and other homicides in Los Angeles County (LAC) using 2010-2011 data.

Methods

Using data from the California Electronic Violent Death Reporting System (CalEVDRS), a state system modeled after NVDRS, we compared demographics and circumstances of gang-related with other homicides occurring in LAC from 2010-2011. Geography of these violent deaths was also compared, including zip code-level distribution of high rates, and proximity of victim injury location to residence location.

Results

There were a total of 1,195 homicides in Los Angeles County from 2010-2011; 35% of these were gang-related. Gang-related homicide victims were more likely to be age 15-29 (75% versus 39%), Black or Hispanic/Latino (95% versus 78%), male (95% versus 77%) and involve a firearm (97% versus 65%) compared with other homicides. Gang-related homicides were also more likely to take place on a street/sidewalk/alley, occur in the late evening, and on weekends. Gang-related homicides were more geographically concentrated than other homicides. The proximity of injury location to victim residence was similar for both groups.

Conclusions

Characteristics of gang-related homicides are unique. Local geographical patterns and trends of homicides and comparison of youth victims and adults can help understand changing trends in gang-related crime and warrant further analysis. Surveillance systems like CalEVDRS are critical to identify local hot spots, common precipitating circumstances and develop targeted prevention and intervention strategies.