Reported crime decreased in Los Angeles in 2023, and for the first time in nine years the city saw more traffic-related deaths than homicides, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Mayor Karen Bass and Chief Michel Moore highlighted what they called the positive strides the department has taken in reducing overall crime at a Wednesday news conference at LAPD Headquarters.

“We saw in 2023 a significant increase in traffic fatalities, fatal hit-and-runs, as well as fatal pedestrian and bicycle collisions,” Moore said.

The chief said the department will add uniform and traffic officers to increase enforcement of speed limits in the most impacted communities and to go after impaired drivers and hit-and-run violators.

Most traffic-related deaths were the result of impaired driving.

Felony hit-and-run traffic crashes resulting in fatalities rose by 23% compared to 2022, and DUI-related crashes rose by 32%.

Crashes in which a pedestrian was fatally struck increased by nearly 13%.

Moore lauded the department’s achievements in reducing overall crime.

“Los Angeles in 2023 achieved a 3% reduction in violent crime … with just over 1,000 fewer victims of violent crime,” Moore said. “Most significant was the success of seeing 65 fewer homicides, which is a 17% reduction (compared to 2022).”

The department logged a total of 327 homicides in 2023.

The South Bureau, which covers LAPD operations in the Southwest, Harbor, 77th Street and Southeast stations, experienced the largest drop, with a 23% decrease in homicides in 2023.

Additionally, Moore said police solved 76% of the homicide cases.

“Our analysis of our homicides, when we look to see where these reductions occurred, we see a 26% reduction in gang-related homicides,” Moore added.

The department’s patrol area had 127 fewer shooting victims in 2023 as well, a four-year low.On the downside, property crimes increased by 3.5%.

Moore noted that Bass’ Inside Safe initiative has led to the removal of several encampments, resulting in a nearly 10% reduction in crimes involving homeless people.

The mayor noted the overall reduction in crime, including the city’s efforts to hire more police officers, and highlighted the recent labor agreement with the union representing LAPD officers as a means to attract and retain members of the department.

Bass also credited the city’s unarmed response program, which she said responded to 9,000 calls, many involving homeless individuals and mental-health cases.

“When we divest, when we don’t fund programs like that, things fall through the cracks,” Bass said. “And it has been unfair for far too long that we expect police officers to pick up pieces and address social and health issues.”