Violent crime is dropping, both in the city of San Diego and across the county. Two new reports say homicides fell more than any other crime this year. KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps has more.
The planning agency SANDAG says the region's violent-crime rate for the first half of '07 is at the lowest point in a decade, down 3 percent from last year. That means fewer reported homicides, rapes, robberies and assaults. The South Bay saw double-digit drops in Chula Vista, National City and Imperial Beach.
The San Diego Police Department has similar good news. Violent crime in the city was down about 2-and-a-half percent from last year.
San Diego Police Chief Bill Lansdowne credits more targeted police patrols.
Lansdowne : It's the presence, it's the police officers really making the contacts that says it's not possible to commit a crime in these areas, because they see the presence.
The city and county also had overall drops in property crimes.
Andrew Phelps, KPBS News.
