COSTA MESA
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Statistics released Tuesday reflected another dip in the city’s overall crime during the first nine months of 1999, although the number of murders and rapes increased.
The city posted a 19% decline in violent and property crimes compared to the same time period in 1998, better than the state’s 14.7% drop. Violent crime was slightly down from 1998 figures, only four-tenths of a percent.
However, four people were murdered in Costa Mesa last year, and only one in 1998. All of the murder victims were children; three were younger than 5. Reports of rape also increased from 13 in 1998 to 23 in 1999.
Police Chief David L. Snowden was pleased with the overall figures but said preventing murders and rapes is difficult.
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