LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Violent crime in Los Angeles is down 5.2 percent compared to this time last year, police Chief William Bratton said today. Overall crime is down 3.9 percent compared to this time last year, the chief told the five-member Police Commission at its regular Tuesday meeting.

Homicides are down 8.8 percent, while rapes are down 13.9 percent, Bratton said. Robberies are down 2.4 percent, and aggravated assaults are down 7.4 percent, he said. Property crimes declined 3.6 percent compared to this time last year. Burglaries are down 4.3 percent, grand theft is down 5.6 percent and theft from vehicles is down 3 percent, he said.

Gang-related crimes have declined about 11 percent, with gang-related killings down 25 percent and aggravated assaults down 16.7 percent. 'The department is gearing up for a push on gang crime after the beginning of the year; so we'll be announcing that right after the first of the year,'' Bratton said.