Crime drops in Costa Mesa

Greg Risling

COSTA MESA -- Thanks to an improving relationship with the community, the

city saw a 11% drop in crime for the first half of 1999 compared to the

same time period last year, according to FBI statistics.

Although the city boasted another respectable decline in violent crime,

there were three murders in the first six months of this year. There were

no murders reported in Costa Mesa all of last year.

The only other categories in which Costa Mesa showed an increase were

arson, up from five to eight, and forcible rape, up from seven to eight.

Police Chief Dave Snowden credits both his growing police force and an

empowered citizenry for another drop in crime.

“I can’t tell you how important it is to have the citizens’ confidence in

reporting crimes to us,” he said. “By having residents helping us out,

the community is gaining confidence in our ability to solve crimes.”

Snowden also believes community-oriented programs such as offering the

quarterly citizens’ police academies, implementing neighborhood watch

programs and having volunteers strengthen the relationship between the

community and the police department.

As of this January, the police force will be its largest, with 154

officers, since the city was incorporated in 1953.

“More officers allows us to take more reports,” Snowden added. “The more

eyes and ears we have on the street, the better chance there is to reduce

crime.”

But police admit they can’t stop every crime, as evidenced with this

year’s three murders -- all of which were random and involved children.

Two children, 3-year-old Brandon Wiener and 4-year-old Sierra Soto, died

in May after a car driven by a man who allegedly said he was out to “kill

innocent children” plowed into a playground.

A 15-year-old girl was gunned down in a West Side garage later the same

month by a reported gang member bent on retaliation for graffiti that had

appeared in the neighborhood.

Both accused killers are awaiting trial.

The categories where Costa Mesa saw a drop in numbers from the first six

months of last year included robbery, aggravated assault, burglary,

larceny/theft and motor vehicle theft. The biggest drop in any category

was a 35% dip in motor vehicle thefts.

The statistics released over the weekend are for cities that have a

population of more than 100,000. Crime reporting totals weren’t available

for Newport Beach. Year-end totals will be released early next year.