Kansas City, Mo ? Violent crime in Kansas City dropped by 13 percent during the first half of 2002, and city officials credited tougher enforcement and the vigilance of citizens.

Property crimes were down about 9 percent, according to statistics presented Tuesday to the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners.

“Crime is down, and enforcement is up,” said Board President Stacey Daniels-Young. “That’s what you like to see.”

Kansas City Police Department officials were particularly pleased with the drop in homicides.

Tuesday’s figures only counted reported crimes through June, but the department keeps up-to-date homicide figures.

As of Tuesday, the city had recorded 56 homicides, compared with 76 at the same time last year a 26 percent decline.

Homicide Capt. Randy Hopkins said violent crimes might be down because of a program that brought crime units together to share intelligence.