Report: Violent crime declines

Burglaries and car thefts in Costa Mesa increased sharply in the first half of the year compared with the same period in 2004, according to a report released Monday.

The statistics were compiled by the state attorney general’s office for the period of January through June, as reported by police agencies of cities with more than 100,000 residents. Statewide statistics reflected an overall decrease of 1.8% in violent crimes and an increase of 2.9% in property crimes, the report showed.

The number of violent crimes -- murder, rape, robbery and assault -- dropped by 4.4% in Costa Mesa this year, from 135 to 129. Of those, only assaults increased, from 57 to 66.

Property crimes in the city rose overall by nearly 20%. Property crimes include burglary, car theft, larceny-theft and arson.

The rise in the number of reported property crimes can be partially attributed to a new computer system that does a better job of tracking reports, said Costa Mesa Police Sgt. Marty Carver.

The Costa Mesa Police Department switched to a new computer system last year; the old system was not catching all the reports, Carver said.

Of the thefts from homes and vehicles, Carver said police “want to encourage people ... not to leave valuables in plain sight in their vehicle because it becomes just a crime of opportunity.”

Several Costa Mesa apartment complexes have had problems with vehicle thefts, one of them being the PineCreek Village Apartments in the 1300 block of Adams Avenue, Carver said.

“Big complexes ... underground parking is very difficult to patrol because they can hear the officers coming,” Carver said.

Costa Mesa Police have met with private security at PineCreek and have encouraged them to do nighttime patrol within the complex, Carver said.

The decrease in violent crimes was good news to Councilwoman Katrina Foley.

“Crime is still under wraps in Costa Mesa,” Foley said.

“We hope that’s due to our aggressive and proactive enforcement on the streets,” Carver said.

COSTA MESA CRIME STATISTICS