Crime in Orange County cities

Reported crime in Orange County’s major cities increased during the first nine months of 2002, with violent crimes -- particularly homicides -- rising at higher than statewide rates. The local increase in property crimes was slightly lower than the state average. In announcing the latest crime statistics last week, Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer said he was especially concerned about the state’s rising homicide rate.

* The statewide total is for police jurisdictions with more than 100,000 residents, and unincorporated areas of major counties patrolled by sheriffs.

*--* Homicides (Jan.-Sept.) City/area 2001 2002 % chg Anaheim 613 116.7% Costa Mesa 2 2 - Fullerton 1 1 - Garden Grove 3 4% 33.3 Huntington Beach 0 3% n/a Irvine 0 0 - Orange 0 0 - Santa Ana 19 18 -5.3% Unincorporated 2 1 -50% Total selected O.C. areas 33 42 27.3% Total statewide* 1,248 1,412 13.1% Violent crimes (Jan.-Sept.) City/area 2001 2002 % chg Anaheim 965 1,029 6.6% Costa Mesa 270 202 -25.2% Fullerton 245 270 10.2% Garden Grove 587 605 3.1% Huntington Beach 259 263 1.5% Irvine 94 117 24.5% Orange 247 210 -15.0% Santa Ana 1,369 1,454 6.2% Unincorporated 204 161 -21.1% Total selected O.C. areas 4,240 4,311 1.7% Total statewide* 113,579 114,508 0.8% Property crimes (Jan.-Sept.) City/area 2001 2002 % chg Anaheim 2,555 2,874 12.5% Costa Mesa 777 690 -11.2% Fullerton 892 1,001 12.2% Garden Grove 1,148 1,308 13.9% Huntington Beach 1,145 988 -13.7% Irvine 886 940 6.1% Orange 661 904 36.8% Santa Ana 3,024 2,743 -9.3% Unincorporated 486 370 -23.9% Total selected O.C. areas 11,574 11,818 2.1% Total statewide* 197,340 212,969 7.9%

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NOTE: Violent crimes include homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault. Burglary and auto theft are property crimes.

Sources: California attorney general’s office