By Linda Taaffe

Los Altos reported the lowest crime rate in Santa Clara County and ranked better than the national average in every crime category reported in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s annual Uniform Crime Report recently released for 2002. The report compiles national crime statistics for specific categories from more than 17,000 police agencies throughout the country. All crime numbers are calculated per 100,000 people in order to make equal comparisons. Only Category I crimes - rape, assault, murder, robbery - are included in the report.

With just under 29,000 residents, Los Altos was the only city in Santa Clara County to report fewer than 1,000 crimes during 2002. Police reported 930 crimes per 100,000 people during the 12-month period. That number dropped by 226 from the previous year.

Saratoga reported the second lowest crime rate in the county with 1,128 per 100,000. Gilroy reported the most crimes, with 4,085 per 100,000.

In San Mateo County, Hillsborough was the only city with fewer reported crimes than Los Altos, with 864. Hillsborough has 2.1 officers for every 1,000 residents. Los Altos has one officer for every 1,000 residents.

Theft and burglary were the highest reported crimes in Los Altos. Police reported 571 thefts and 257 burglaries. Rape and murder were the lowest crimes, with one and zero reported respectively.

Nationally, crime has decreased 16 percent compared with 15 years ago. Violent crimes decreased 1.4 percent over the past year. Property crimes have remained at the same level.