One example of CPD's proactive approach was a special anti-drug effort in Area 4--a neighborhood northeast of Central Square--where plainclothes patrol officers and Special Investigations detectives targeted street dealers over the summer, resulting in 61 arrests, over a third of the total narcotics arrests for the city.

The Area 4 push was a major factor in the 36 percent rise in arrests for narcotics violations.

Meanwhile, the report says violent crime is continuing on a long-term downward trend.

Cambridge's only murder in 1999 occurred early on the morning of Sept. 18. Collin Burton, 30, of Dorchester, was shot outside Hi-Fi Pizza in Central Square following an altercation with the occupants of a green Ford Explorer.

No arrests have been made, and the case is still considered active.

"Hopefully, that will be our last of the year," Pasquarello says.

Other violent crimes are dropping too. Rapes, especially, have dropped dramatically--reported instances are down 41percent. "Stranger rapes," like last Monday's, are anomalies, according to the report--most Cambridge rape victims know their attackers.