State report: violent crimes increased in 2015

According to a series of reports issued Friday by State Attorney General Kamala Harris, Monterey County had the highest homicide rate in California in 2015.

Monterey County recorded 60 homicides in 2015 (a rate of 13.8 per 100,000 residents) compared with 1,861 reported homicides statewide (a rate of 4.8 per 100,000 residents).

Overall, California’s homicide rate increased nearly 10 percent in 2015. Over eighty-two percent of homicide victims were male, and the largest proportion of victims was Hispanic.

Violent crimes in California jumped 10 percent last year, and robberies, aggravated assaults and property crimes were up by more than 8 percent. The increases reverse several years of declines.

One bright spot centers on juvenile arrests, which decreased for the seventh consecutive year to reach their lowest levels ever. Law enforcement agencies reported 71,923 juvenile arrests in 2015, down 17% from 2014.

A complete copy of the reports can be found here: http://openjustice.doj.ca.gov/publications