FOUNTAIN VALLEY

Violent acts and property crime dropped nearly 10% in the city last year, continuing a downward trend that began six years ago, Police Chief Elvin G. Miali said. The biggest drop came in rape cases. Seven sexual assaults were reported in 1997, compared to four in 1998, according to the department’s records. Incidents of robbery, aggravated assault, residential burglary, auto theft, larceny and arson also declined. But troubling increases occurred in two categories: homicides and commercial burglaries. There were no homicides in 1997, compared to two in 1998, while commercial burglaries increased from 112 in 1997 to 138 in 1998.