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The last seven weeks, the period since July 4, has been the lowest period for crime this year, averaging 87 crimes per week, compared to 111 crimes during the same period last year.

The big drop in crime comes in auto crime.  "We really put the word out over the last year to lock-it-hide-it-keep-it," explained Capt. Todd Chamberlain.  "We've also stepped up our narcotics arrests, which has a direct impact on auto crime."

Typically, drug users break into cars and steal cars for a quick buck to buy drugs and support their habit.  Arresting drug users takes them off the street for  a few days at a time, which has a significant impact on car burglaries. 

"Just think how many cars one crook can break into in one night.  Take that person off the street for a few nights in jail, and a week's worth of crime is cut in half," Capt. Chamberlain explained.

Over the last 4 weeks, police handled nearly 40 fewer car burglaries and 30 fewer car thefts.  That's about 18 fewer crimes per week!

Police also attributed the drop in crime to an innovative measure taken early this year: The Repeat Offender Letter. 

We identified 120 persons arrested more than once in our neighborhoods and we sent them letters, reminding them to stay out of trouble and where to find resources to stay straight.  "It's hard to prove a negative, but we had NO repeat offenders from among those 120 persons arrested this year,"  Chamberlain offered.  "Some of those persons were good for 3 and 4 arrests last year."

LAPD's Mission Area was averaging 98 crimes per week by the middle of last year.  This year, it's averaging 93, and over the last 7 weeks, the average has been 87.

For the year, the Mission Area has seen 200 fewer crimes over last year, a 6.2% reduction.