The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) datareport by LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia was published. According to the document, Latinos and blacks were arrested at a “disproportionate rate” between the years 2019 and 2022.

The data reveals that while blacks make up only 8 percent of the county's population, they accounted for 27 percent of all arrests during the reporting period. Latinos, who make up nearly half (48 percent) of Los Angeles’ population, accounted for 51 percent of all arrests. When combined, these two groups make up 56 percent of the county’s population but accounted for more than two-thirds of all arrests, accounting for 78.26 percent of the total.

In contrast, whites, who make up 29 percent of the county’s population, accounted for 16 percent of arrests.

Henry Perez, executive director of the nonprofit InnerCity Struggle, said the report is alarming but not surprising. He pointed out that the community the organization represents, located in East Los Angeles neighborhoods, has historically suffered from “overpolicing”. Perez pointed out that most of the arrests were for infractions and misdemeanors, not for violent or drug-related crimes, and that this can lead to very precarious situations, especially for blacks and Latinos, according to a report by NBC News.

According to NBC, this analysis marks the first time the Los Angeles Police Department has made its arrest data available to the public without limitations, including maps and detailed locations of nearly 300,000 arrests over the past four years.

The numbers show that the districts of the LA City Council recorded the highest number of arrests, most notably District 14 led by Kevin de León, which includes predominantly Latino neighborhoods.

“De León’s district consists of predominantly Latino neighborhoods such as Boyle Heights, Lincoln Heights and El Sereno, all of which comprise much of the Eastside”, according to InnerCity Struggle’s website.

According to Perez of InnerCity Struggle, there is a need to address “overpolicing” issues and promote holistic support for students and community residents to reach safer schools and communities.

The analysis also points out that the LAPD recorded more arrests for misdemeanor and infraction offenses than for serious offenses during the reporting period. In addition, at least 400 arrests were made annually in the “dependent” category, which raises questions about how often children and youth come into contact with the LAPD, although available data are unclear about the nature of these interactions.

NBC News reported that it reached out to the LAPD for comment on the report, but did not receive an immediate response.