CRIME HIT A.V. CITIES HARD IN '97; POPULATION GROWTH, AGE CITED FOR HIGHER NUMBERS.

Byline: Karen Maeshiro Daily News Staff Writer

Lancaster and Palmdale were the only two Los Angeles County cities with populations of more than 100,000 to report increases in serious crime in 1997, according to FBI statistics.

The number of crimes jumped from 5,947 in 1996 to 6,507 during 1997 in Lancaster and from 5,311 to 5,623 in Palmdale.

Officials of both cities attributed the higher numbers of reported crimes to population growth, the young average age of residents and enhanced reporting procedures at schools. They also said aggressive policing is reducing crime so far in 1998, and crime rates are going down.

Lancaster city and sheriff's officials said programs that target certain crimes and areas, such as the Target-Oriented Policing program with two-deputy patrol cars, led to a 5 percent reduction in major crimes during the first quarter of 1998, compared with the same period last year.

There were 67 robberies in the first quarter this year and 97 in the same period of 1997.

``That's indicative that aggressive police work is working,'' said Lancaster Mayor Frank Roberts.

Palmdale Councilman David Myers said the FBI numbers do not take into account that Palmdale was the fourth-fastest-growing city in the country since 1990.

``I think it has to do with demographics. We have a young population,'' Myers said. ``Look at the folks coming. They are young people. Our average age is quite low. Crime tends to happen when you have a young population. Where you see aging populations, you see numbers going down.''

Lancaster's population grew 3.2 percent over the past year, climbing to 127,136, while Palmdale's population increased 2.1 percent to 117,324.

Neighboring Santa Clarita's population jumped nearly 10 percent in 1997 to 143,835, making it the fastest-growing city in Los Angeles County last year, but its crime went down - from 3,255 in 1996 to 2,914 in 1997.

Lancaster Assistant City Manager Dennis Davenport attributed Santa Clarita's low crime numbers to that city's being newer, with a relatively affluent population.

``Environmentally they are better off. They have higher incomes than does our community,'' Davenport said.

Lt. Dave Collin of the Palmdale sheriff's station said the number of crimes in Palmdale steadily decreased from 1992 until the 5.8 percent jump between 1996 and 1997.

``The crime rate of 1997 is still 17.9 percent less than it was in 1992,'' Collin said.

At the Lancaster station, Lt. Rod Penner said the increase in crime in part reflects changes in reporting procedures at schools, which now turn in official reports to law enforcement agencies about offenses traditionally handled informally by the school or with informal help from officers.

``Primarily we see most of the increase in high schools,'' Penner said.

Penner also cited a risk-assessment program that uses history and other factors to gauge the probability of further domestic violence in a relationship. The program has encouraged more victims to report domestic violence, he said.

Nationwide, serious crime reported to police in 1997 declined for a sixth consecutive year. Reductions in every region included a plunge of more than 10 percent in murder in larger cities and suburban counties.

Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and Santa Clarita remained among the nation's safest cities with populations of more than 100,000. The numbers dropped from 2,401 in 1996 to 2,147 in 1997 in Simi Valley and from 2,547 to 2,211 in Thousand Oaks.

Of California's 51 most populous cities, Lancaster and Palmdale were among 10 that reported crime increases. Others were Bakersfield, Chula Vista, Escondido, Fremont, Hayward, Modesto, Sacramento and Santa Rosa.

While homicides fell to their lowest level since 1990, serious crime in the Antelope Valley rose 5.5 percent in 1997, the Daily News reported in May.

Homicides fell 14.3 percent, mainly from a drop in gang-related killings. Assaults and auto thefts rose by 8.2 percent, theft by 6.1 percent, robbery by 5.2 percent and burglary by 2.4 percent, according to 1997 statistics released by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Tracking the serious offenses

Serious crime statistics for Los Angeles County cities over 100,000 population. Serious crimes include murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, auto theft and arson.

1997 1998 % change

Burbank 4,161 3,794 -8.8

Downey 4,785 4,446 -7.1

El Monte 4,597 4,087 -11.1

Glendale 6,966 5,815 -16.5

Inglewood 6,241 5,601 -10.3

Lancaster 5,947 6,507 +9.4

Long Beach 26,308 21,817 -17.1

Norwalk 4,388 4,289 -2.3

Palmdale 5,311 5,623 +5.9

Pasadena 7,423 6,401 -13.8

Pomona 7,789 6,870 -11.8

Santa Clarita 3,255 2,914 -10.5

Torrance 7,054 5,699 -19.3

West Covina 4,968 4,957 -0.3

CAPTION(S):

Box

BOX: TRACKING THE SERIOUS OFFENSES (See text)