VIOLENT CRIME is up in eight large Orange County cities, including Garden Grove and Huntington Beach.

Violent crime rose in the first half of 2017 for four of Orange County’s largest cities, according to a preliminary report issued by the FBI.

The report covered cities across the United States with a population of 100,000 and over. Violent crimes are considered murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault.

Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Fullerton and Santa Ana showed decreases. Increases were reported in Garden Grove (up 22.5 percent), Huntington Beach (20.5 percent), Irvine (8 percent) and Orange (up 18.7).

Property crime was up in four of the eight cities. They are Fullerton, Garden Grove, Orange and Santa Ana. The other four – Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach and Irvine – showed decreases.

The numbers for January to June 2017 were compared to similar dates in the first half of 2016. Overall, violent crime was down nationally by 0.8 percent, while property crime fell 2.9 percent.

For the complete figures, including a breakdown by offense, go to: https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2017/preliminary-report/tables/table-4/state-cuts/alabama-through-california.xls