New figures show that violent crimes have dropped in both the city and county of Los Angeles. Police say the overall number of violent crimes reported dropped more than 11 percent in the first half of this year compared with the same six months in 2009. There were 151 homicides in the city—a 3 percent increase—but that included the slayings of four people during a fight at a North Hollywood restaurant in April.

In the county, the Sheriff's Department says violent crime for January through June dipped by nearly 4 percent compared with the same 2009 period. There were 85 homicides reported—a 17 percent drop. That continues a five-year trend of declining homicide rates in unincorporated areas and 40 cities policed by sheriffs.