EDITORIAL

Crime statistics for Huntington Beach turned out to be a mixed, though

mostly encouraging, bag during the first six months of the year.

While overall crime in the city went up 5%, according to the

California Crime Statistics released by state Attorney General Bill

Lockyer, the most worrisome violent crimes all went down more than the

state average. Homicide, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault

all dropped 7.7%, down from 183 incidents to 169. That included no

homicides for the second straight year and compared overall to a state

drop of just 1.5%.

The rise in the crime rate can be attributed entirely to an increase

in property crimes, including burglary and motor theft. That category

climbed 8.4%, up to 747 from 689. While discouraging, those numbers can

easily fluctuate due to a string of car thefts or similar incidents that

have a low potential for physical harm to residents.

Would it be better to see across-the-board decreases? Of course. But

these numbers, collectively, reinforce the fact that the Huntington Beach

Police Department is doing its job in keeping residents safe. Their

policies and programs are working, including during challenging holiday

celebrations such as the Fourth of July, which is no longer the chaotic

scene it once was. They deserve thanks and praise.

Residents, too, deserve applause for doing their part to contribute to

the safety of the city. Watching out for neighbors and being smart and

safe in potentially dangerous situations are the best ways to keep

Huntington Beach safe. Given our tense times following the Sept. 11

attacks, it has never been more necessary that we remain alert and

conscientious as we go about our routines.

Huntington Beach Police and residents have proven they are capable of

doing so. We should all keep it up.