State officials say that violent and property crimes dropped significantly across California last year.
The state Department of Justice says the violent crime rate per 100,000 residents decreased in 2013 to its lowest level since 1967. Violent crimes were down 6.5 percent from 2012, while property crimes were down nearly 4 percent.
The state's crime rate has been under closer scrutiny since a criminal justice reform pushed by Gov. Jerry Brown took effect three years ago.
Under the so-called realignment, lower-level criminals are sentenced to county jails instead of state prisons.
Critics have said the resulting jail overcrowding is forcing many counties to release dangerous felons early.
A separate report found the number of hate crimes also dropped about 7 percent across California last year.
