Costa Mesa’s violent, property crimes drop

Serious violent and property crimes in Costa Mesa have likely declined by about 10% from 2005 to 2006, according to preliminary statistics compiled by the Costa Mesa Police Department. Police credit the decrease to a concerted effort to reduce thefts and burglaries.

The crimes that were tabulated were homicides, assaults and rapes, as well as property crimes like thefts, burglaries and larcenies. Police only had statistics for incidents through November and don’t expect December’s numbers to dramatically change the percentages.

California police departments are required to report statistics on these crimes to the California Department of Justice annually, Costa Mesa Police Sgt. Marty Carver said.

The biggest declines were in property crime, Carver said. There were 521 vehicle thefts in 2005, and through November of this year there were 381. There were 542 burglaries last year and 478 through November of this year.

Officers did everything they could this year to curb theft and burglary, Carver said. They put significant resources into instructing residents how to avoid being an easy target, and they worked closely with neighborhood watch groups to identify thieves and burglars. At the same time, they kept patrols out on the streets in problem neighborhoods to deter crime.

“We’ve really tried hard,” he said. “We spent a lot of time on the education effort.”

Costa Mesa Mayor Allan Mansoor said that he had not seen the statistics but that a decrease in crime is always welcome.

“That’s outstanding,” he said. “I think it’s a goal that everyone shares, and I’m glad to hear that we’re reaching it.”

But not all the news was good.

There have been five homicides in 2006, while there were only three in 2005. But when you’re dealing with such a small number of incidents year to year, the statistics are subject to chance, Carver said.

“They were mostly crimes in the heat of passion,” he said. “It’s almost impossible to prevent something like that.”

When informed of the likely decrease in crime, Councilman Eric Bever said it was a positive trend and a reason to try even harder. He said he looks forward to Costa Mesa becoming the safest city in Orange County.

Homicides in 2005: 3

Homicides in 2006, through November: 5

Percent change in homicides, 2005 to 2006 through November: +67%

Thefts from vehicles in 2005: 521

Thefts from vehicles in 2006, through November: 381

Percent change in vehicle thefts, 2005 to 2006 through November: -26.8%

Burglaries in 2005: 542

Burglaries in 2006, through November: 478

Percent change in burglaries, 2005 to 2006 through November: -11.8%

Percent change in serious crimes reported to the California Department of Justice, 2005 to 2006 through November: -10.26%

— Source: Costa Mesa Police Department