COSTA MESA
Violent crime rose by about 15% last year in Costa Mesa, according to statistics recently released by the FBI. Among various categories, the 1999 Uniform Crime Report showed incidents of forcible rape in the city increased from 17 in 1998 to 29 in 1999. Aggravated assaults were up from 158 to 180 incidents. There were four murders in 1999 compared to one in 1998.
However, the numbers released Sunday showed robberies were down 11% and property crimes decreased by about 15%.
The increase in violent crime is “not very significant,” said Costa Mesa police Lt. John FitzPatrick.
“If you look at it, it’s only an increase of two more incidents a month,” he said. “That is not something to be alarmed about.”
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