Going by the messages and posts on JClist, Mayor Healy should also credit the community groups and even JClist for the reduction in crime.

If individuals are being more vigil with security (Private CCTV - Car and Home alarms) and working as a community to dissuade criminals to their area, then it should be acknowledged. I find JClist a positive tool to share tips and advice to counter or prevent criminal acts and anti-social behaviour.

Mayor credits cops for drop in crime

Friday, June 08, 2007
By MICHAELANGELO CONTE
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Jersey City police say crime in the city has dropped dramatically during the first four months of the year as compared to the first four months of 2006.

"How can you not be pleased with the success our Police Department has had this year, and last year as well in 2006, when crime also dropped significantly?" Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy said in a statement.

During the first four months of this year, violent crime in Jersey City dropped by 17 percent as compared to the same period in 2006, city spokesman Stan H. Eason said. Eason said that drop represents a decrease of 311 incidents in the crime categories of murder, robbery, assault and rape.

The greatest drop is in homicides, which are down 40 percent, Eason said. In the first four months of last year there were 10 homicides as compared to only six this year.

There was also a 34 percent drop in the number of street robberies - 357 were reported in the first four months of 2007 compared to 543 during that period last year, Eason said.

Non-violent crime, or property crime, dropped by 24 percent in the first four months of this year as compared to that period last year, Eason said. In these crimes, which include burglary, theft, arson and car theft, there was a total of 2,483 incidents in the first four months of 2006 and 1,899 during the same period of this year.

In 2006, there were 24 homicides in Jersey City and so far this year there have been nine, said Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio.

Eason noted that in 2006, homicides were down by 39 percent compared to 2005, robberies were down by 6 percent and assaults were down by 5 percent.

Healy said the strong efforts of the city and Police Department are responsible for the decrease in crime.

"We've reorganized our Police Department and its leadership, increased our police presence significantly by hiring more than 200 new police officers, and we've modernized the tactics we employ to offset crime trends," Healy said. The mayor also noted that "one homicide, one assault, one robbery is far too many."

There are now 891 officers on the force, Eason said.

DeFazio said the level of gun violence remains unacceptable in certain areas of Jersey City, adding that the availability of weapons, especially semiautomatic pistols, is compounding the problem.

DeFazio also said homicide victims and perpetrators are usually men in the 18-to 35-year-old range.

"This is more than a police, prosecution, criminal justice system issue," DeFazio said yesterday. "This is a social problem, and fighting it requires other components such as family, friends, education, religious institutions."