Data:

Newport Beach police saw a significant increase in identity thefts and counterfeiting in 2008 compared to a year before, while, according to FBI statistics, Costa Mesa began seeing fewer property crimes and burglaries in 2008.

According to the FBI’s twice-yearly report released this week, violent crime nationally looks to be decreasing. The bureau compares statistics from the first half of 2007 and first half of 2008 for cities of 100,000 people or more. Data for Newport Beach, which is less than 100,000 in population, were not available through the FBI, but through the police department.

According to the FBI’s numbers, Costa Mesa had 243 burglaries from January to June 2008. That’s fewer than the 267 for the same period a year earlier. Motor vehicle thefts were down, as were property crimes. Costa Mesa police, however, did see a slight uptick in robberies and violent crime.

As a whole, however, the FBI’s numbers show the most violent offenses staying mostly at 2007 levels and a downward trend in various property crimes.

“It’s good investigations and proactive police work knowledgeable of current trends,” said Costa Mesa Sgt. Bryan Glass.

Police officials credit the department’s new approach to area enforcement — assigning officers and their superiors to one half of the city — as leading the charge. Now officers on the streets, sergeants and their supervising lieutenants will continually deal with the same neighborhoods, familiarizing themselves with the area and its issues, Glass said. The new approach began in January 2008.

Newport Beach saw different trends — more counterfeiting and forgery, more DUIs and thefts, but fewer burglaries.

Counterfeiting, forgery and receiving stolen property are all related to identity theft crimes, Newport Beach Lt. Craig Fox said. Those crimes have been rising countywide, and Newport was not spared. There were 40% more counterfeiting and forgeries reported in 2008 than in 2007, when there were only 129 reported.

There were more DUIs in Newport Beach in 2008 than in 2007, but according to the numbers, the pace actually slowed in the second half of the year. Police ramped up enforcement last year and brought on an alcohol-liaison officer in June to work with local bars and restaurants on familiarizing them more with the laws and how to properly serve drinks.

“Based on the fact that this is a self-initiated statistic, you can’t help but think the added focus has resulted in that increased number,” Fox said.

Burglaries dropped 29% from 2007, noticeably so when it came to residential burglaries.

On the other end of the scope, thefts rose 14% to 1,651 in 2008. Officials said a significant portion of those are copper-theft related crimes.

As the value of copper declines in the economy, Fox said the city is looking for fewer of those cases.

BY THE NUMBERS

COSTA MESA first six months total

2007: robbery - 42; burglary - 267; larceny/theft - 1,166

2008: robbery - 45; burglary - 243; larceny/theft - 1,159

NEWPORT BEACH 12-month total

2007: robbery - 54; burglary - 659; larceny/theft - 1,444

2008: robbery - 44; burglary - 470; larceny/theft - 1,651

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at joseph.serna@latimes.com.