Rape defies downturn in crime rate

Deepa Bharath

Amid a significant drop in crime overall in the first six half of

2003 compared to the same time in 2002, 22 rapes were recorded, an

increase of 340%, according to a report released Wednesday by the

state attorney general.

Overall, crime dropped by 6.1% in Costa Mesa between January and

June compared to 2002, according to the report. Violent crimes --

murder, rape, robbery and assault -- were down by 10.8% overall.

Property crimes -- burglaries and auto thefts -- showed a 6.4%

decrease.

The biggest drop was in assaults, which nose-dived by 25.7%. The

next significant decline was in robberies, which were down by 22%.

Costa Mesa Police Chief John Hensley said he views the numbers as

“a report card that helps us match our performance against other

similar cities.”

“I don’t know if it’s any one thing that has caused crime to

drop,” he said. “It’s a combination of things. We’re still listening

to the people and working closely with the community. The three

strikes law is working and keeping people in jail.”

The economy has “leveled out,” and more people are employed, which

always helps keep crime down, Hensley said.

“Demographically, we’re looking here at the calm before the

storm,” he said. “Most of our population is between 10 and 15 years

old.”

The “at-risk” age is between 17 and 25, he said.

“So, we’re heading toward that and could see an increase in a few

years,” Hensley said. “But at this point, crime is steadily

decreasing.”

The chief has also reorganized his department and has put together

a plan for community policing in the city.

“We’re reorganizing our beats so officers have ownership of their

beats,” he said. “People must get to know the officers assigned to

their area.”

Hensley is also trying to get all officers involved in community

policing instead of only five or six officers.

“It’s more in-your-face kind of policing,” he said. “It’s not just

a police officer driving 25 mph down your street.”