Violent Crime in L.A. School District Dropped, Report Finds

An annual report on violent crime in the Los Angeles Unified School District released Monday showed marked decreases in most categories, ranging from weapon possession to robbery.

But the 1995-96 school year brought increases in some categories, including robbery and vandalism of school property, and a 38% increase in drug and alcohol offenses committed on or near campuses.

Assistant Supt. Dan Isaacs attributed the decline in violent crime to growing awareness about the district’s strict expulsion policies for possession of a weapon.