LASD: Violent, Property Crimes Increase in Diamond Bar, Walnut Areas

Violent and property crimes as a whole increased in the Diamond Bar and Walnut areas in 2012, but not every category saw more crimes, according to preliminary crime statistics released this week by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

According to preliminary statistics, "part I crimes"-- which include things like murder, rape, burglary and assault-- increased in the area by 16.17 percent overall in 2012.

However, that crime rate is 12.93 percent lower than it was five years ago.

Part I Crimes Totals for Walnut Station:

• 2007: 2,971 total
• 2011: 2,066 total
• 2012: 2,400 total 

As a whole, homicides in Los Angeles County areas patrolled by the Sheriff's Department decreased slightly in 2012 compared with the previous year.

According to preliminary statistics, there were 166 homicides in sheriff's jurisdiction in 2012, compared with 170 in 2011, a 2.58 percent decrease.

The statistics show a "five-year continuous decrease, resulting in a 37.5 percent decrease in homicides in 2012 compared to five years ago, and the lowest number of homicides in sheriff's patrol areas since 1970," according to the department.

In the Walnut Station's jurisdiction, which includes Diamond Bar, Walnut and nearby unincorporated areas, there were zero homicides in 2012, compared with three homicides in 2011.  

Back in 2007, there were 9 murders in the area, according to data in the report.

Other homicide comparisons:

• East Los Angeles Station, seven homicides in 2012, down from 11 homicides in 2011
• South Los Angeles Station, 17 homicides in 2012, down from 22 homicides in 2011
• Industry Station, five homicides in 2012, down from eight homicides in 2011.

As for other crime stats in the Diamond Bar and Walnut areas, the following categories of crime increased from 2011 to 2012:

• Aggravated assault: 158 in 2012, up from 99 in 2011
• Burglary: 805 in 2012, up from 608 in 2011
• Larceny theft: 1,169, up from 1,075 in 2011
• Arson: 16 in 2012, up from 15 in 2011

The following decreased: 

• Homicide: 0 in 2012, down from 3 in 2011
• Rape: 6 in 2012, down from 12 in 2011
• Robbery: 69 in 2012, down from 71 in 2011
• Grand theft auto: 177 in 2012, down from 183 in 2011

Countywide statistics for all violent crimes indicated a 3.48 percent increase in 2012, compared with 2011. And "serious property crimes" increased by 4.31 percent  in 2012, compared with 2011.

Over a five-year period, however, there were about 24 percent fewer violent crimes in 2012 compared to 2007; and "serious property crimes" decreased by about 14 percent.

"Thanks to the trust of the public, community partnerships, and the brave and dedicated efforts of the sheriff's deputies and professional staff of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, we have seen historic lows in crime," Sheriff Lee Baca said.

Here's the crime breakdown for Diamond Bar and Walnut:

More than 100 pages of crime statistic details can be viewed on the sheriff's department website by clicking here.

--City News Service contributed to this report.