I have to commend the Jersey City Independent site for always reporting something of substance. They have a story from NJ.com stating how Jersey City is touting a report that states there is a "big decrease" in the crime rates for the year 2009 compared to year 2010. But they follow this up with a letter from the ACLU-NJ educating residents on how to read these reports and how to ask the "right questions" to find out if the city is just painting a false picture or reporting the right information. I recommend that everyone check out the report and the information from the ACLU-NJ.

JC Independent/ACLU-NJ Mailbag

News Report from NJ.com

Numbers of reported crimes in Hudson County continue to fall; 14 percent countywide, 20 percent in Jersey City; 16 percent in West New York
Friday, November 19, 2010
By MICHAELANGELO CONTE and MELISSA HAYES
JOURNAL STAFF WRITERS

Only Hoboken and East Newark saw slight bumps in reported crime, according to the report. Overall, crime fell 13.8 percent countywide, from 18,994 incidents in 2008 to 16,368 in 2009. The overall crime rate, measured by the number of crimes per 1,000 residents, dropped from 31.8 to 27.5.

Violent crime dropped 17 percent, from 3,579 to 2,967, and nonviolent crime fell 13 percent, from 15,415 reported incidents to 13,401.

Murders dropped by five, from 35 to 30. Rapes were down to 73, from 80. Robberies sank from 1,871 to 1,386; and aggravated assaults, from 1,593 to 1,478.

In terms of nonviolent crimes, there were 2,786 burglaries, down from 3,506; 8,972 larcenies, down from 9,798; and 1,643 motor vehicle thefts, down from 2,111.

There were 25,975 arrests in Hudson County in 2009, a 12 percent decrease from 2008.

Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio, the county's highest-ranking law enforcement officer, said cooperation and communication among law enforcement agencies played a role in the downward numbers, which was a statewide phenomena.

"We have to continue our efforts, but it will not become easier when resources are reduced," DeFazio said. "I think we have to be concerned about what may happen due to the economy's impact."

Jersey City saw the biggest decrease in crime, with overall incidents falling from 9,913 in 2008 to 7,920 in 2009.

Violent crimes in Jersey City fell from 2,314 to 1,827, and nonviolent crimes from 7,598 to 6,093. There were 28 murders in the city in 2009, two more than the previous year. Robberies fell from 1,268 to 885, and there were 865 aggravated assaults in 2009, down from 972.

Jersey City Police Chief Tom Comey said the numbers prove the plan he put in place four years ago works.

"It's nice to see the drop in crime finally reported," Comey said. "It shows we are making the streets safe."

Comey also fears that cutbacks could hinder the progress, noting that due to budget shortfalls, 80 officers in the city face being laid off.

Reported crime in West New York dropped by about 16 percent in 2009.

"I think the work our Police Department is doing is excellent and (the drop in crime) is a tribute to the community that works together with the police force," Mayor Sal Vega said.

Hoboken saw an uptick in overall reported crimes, from 1,186 to 1,252. But violent crimes in the city fell, 149 incidents in 2009 compared with 156 in 2008.

Bayonne, Guttenberg, Harrison, North Bergen, Secaucus, Union City and Weehawken also saw decreases in crime.

East Newark increased from 26 overall crimes in 2008 to 30 in 2009. The increase was in nonviolent crimes.