As the city of Los Angeles continued to see an uptick in homicides this year, the county sheriff's department reported that the murder rate was down so far this year for the areas it patrols.

In fact county homicides were down 17 percent through the end of June compared to the same period in 2009, according to the sheriff's department. Eighty-five murders were reported through June 30 versus 104 for that time span last year. The city of Los Angeles has not been so lucky …

Homicides through July 3 were up 2.7 percent, with 151 in 2010 versus 147 for the same time frame last year, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Homicides have been up in other big cities, including New York.

Still, the numbers must represent a thorn in the side of new Los Angeles police Chief Charlie Beck, who took over after top cop William Bratton claimed historic-low crime rates during his tenure.

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