Many law enforcers throughout the region expect reports of serious crime in their communities in 2003 to either hold steady or dip when compared with 2002.

Most authorities are still compiling the reports of murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assaults, burglary, theft and auto theft for a final number. But a sampling of area departments shows:

Booming West Chester Township, which has recorded 10 percent increases annually in serious and violent crime, saw a drop of less than 1 percent in serious crimes last year.

"It's certainly the first time in a long time that we've shown a decrease in these areas of crime," Chief John Bruce said. "It's very encouraging."

Fairfax recorded 79 reports of serious crimes in 2003, compared with 85 in 2002, a 7 percent drop.

Blue Ash officials are still compiling 2003 numbers, but police there say they expect crime reports to hold steady.

"I think violent crime is going to be either the same or lower," Capt. John Pohlman said. "Generally speaking our violent crime has not increased over (2002)."

The Hamilton County Sheriff's office, which compiles crime reports in 10 townships and one village, recorded a 1 percent increase in serious crimes in 2003.

In Covington, officials expect serious crime will show declines when the department finishes its 2003 crime analysis in a few weeks.

In Campbell County, Chief David Sandfoss also anticipates a reduction when his statistics are compiled in February.

"We aren't getting as many crimes reported to us and it's not just us, it's the whole area," he said.

In Florence, Lt. Tim Chesser said that city has seen a decline in serious crimes for the past two years.

"That seems to be the trend," he said, "and that is a good thing,"

Jim Hannah, Brenna R. Kelly and David Eck contributed.