EDITORIAL:

It seems as though there is a bad bit of luck to add to the more pressing problems that exist in Costa Mesa.

Among the alarming problems? Crime, including gang-related incidents, appears to be on the rise. Most tragically and most noticeably, there have been more shootings in the city this year, including the one earlier this month that claimed the life of 23-year-old Israel Maciel.

The bit of bad luck? The Costa Mesa Police Department is understaffed — somewhere around 17 of 165 positions are unfilled — but not able to just fill those positions by next week. Most of the empty spots have people hired and in training. But that training will take through the end of the year, and those new officers won’t be able to hit the streets until 2007.

They will be more than welcome then, but there is the growing sense they are needed right now. The department — to its credit — held two meetings last week in which officers met with members of the community to discuss the rise in gang violence and gang-related crime. According to police, gang-related crimes this year include at least one homicide, 15 assaults and 506 reports of graffiti.

Residents, understandably, are concerned. And while officers are right that getting information out to residents is an important component to keeping the community safe and secure, so too is ensuring that patrols are on the streets and detectives are investigating crimes. Officers assure that the openings have not forced a reduction in the number of police on the city’s gang unit or its DUI team, but it is disquieting to know that the force is not at full strength during a time of rising crime.

Such is the challenge facing the department, which also is without a chief as the City Council continues its search for a replacement for former Chief John Hensley. Last week’s community outreach is a useful part in tackling that challenge. But, probably nothing short of extra hours and hard work will really have an effect on crime in Costa Mesa.