LAPD chief William Bratton's monthly report for February says that homicide and most serious reported crimes are down substantially from last year. Only robbery is up:

CRIME STATISTICS - CITY-WIDE

Year to Date as of February 25, 2006

Homicide Down -23.5%
Rape Down -14.3%
Robbery Up 7.8%
Aggravated Assault Down -13.8%
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TOTAL VIOLENT CRIMES Down -4.6%

Burglary Down -13.8%
Burglary/Theft from Vehicle Down -18.9%
Personal/Other Theft Down -19.5%
Auto Theft Down -10.0%
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TOTAL PROPERTY CRIMES Down -16.0%

TOTAL PART 1 CRIMES Down -13.6%

WILLIAM J. BRATTON
Chief of Police

He also praises new TASER technology that will allow officers to keep an electric stun gun on their belts, and other training advances.