County Crime Sees First-Half, Double-Digit Drop

TRENTON — Cape May County had the biggest percentage drop in crime throughout the state in the first six months last year compared to the first half of 2007.
According to the state Uniform Crime Report, this county saw an 11-percent reduction in indexed crimes from 2,128 during January through June 2007 to 1,897 during the same period last year.
Indexed crimes are broken down into violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault) and nonviolent crimes (burglary, larceny-theft and motor vehicle theft).
In the first half of 2007, this county had no murders, 15 rapes, 51 robberies and 111 aggravated assaults for a total of 177 violent crimes. During the same period of 2008 however, the county reported no murders, 20 rapes, 29 robberies and 105 aggravated assaults for a total of 154 violent crimes.
Similarly, the county reported fewer nonviolent crimes. From January to June 2007, there were 465 burglaries, 1,426 larceny-thefts and 60 car thefts, for a nonviolent total of 1,951. During the first half of 2008, there were 405 burglaries, 1,284 larceny-thefts and 54 car thefts for a total of 1,743 nonviolent crimes.
Statewide, there was a 5-percent increase in the total crime index due to a 6-percent bump in nonviolent crimes and despite a 3-percent drop in violent reports.
“This is the second year in a row that the violent crime rate has dropped in the first half of a year,’’ Attorney General Anne Milgram said in a release. “But it is clear that the overall rise in crime means law enforcement must remain ever vigilant in protecting our state’s neighborhoods and communities.”
This county’s 11-percent drop in crime was the largest in the state followed by Morris County with a 5-percent drop and Somerset County with a 4-percent decrease. Neighboring Cumberland County, 3 percent, and Atlantic County, 1 percent, also had slight decreases.
Four counties saw double-digit increases in crime including: Gloucester County, 19 percent; Warren County, 17 percent; Sussex County, 15 percent; and Ocean County, 14 percent.
The report also looks at arson, domestic violence and bias incident reports.
In this county, arsons increased from four in 2007 to nine last year; domestic violence offenses decreased from 483 to 407; and bias incident reports dropped from eight to two.
Statewide, the number of reported incidents of arson dropped, as did domestic violence reports. However, the number of reported bias incidents increased.
Click here to read the full report.
Contact Hart at (609) 886-8600 Ext 35 or at: jhart@cmcherald.com