Crime in New Jersey

The Crime Clock

During 1995, there was an average of one murder every day in New Jersey and some violent crime was committed every 11 minutes. Almost half of these crimes occurred within the city limits of Camden, Elizabeth, Jersey City, Newark, Paterson, and Trenton, although these six cities contain only 11% of the State's population. Violent crime is an ever-present threat for families living in New Jersey - especially in our urban neighborhoods.

The Most Violent of Crimes

There were 408 murders in New Jersey during 1995 and 407 during 1985. The graph shows that, during this past decade, there have been some increases and decreases in the number of murders each year, but there is no evident trend. There were 1,924 rapes in 1995, and there were 2,424 rapes reported in 1985, showing a downward trend in the number of these violent offenses.

While the number of murders has not changed appreciably over the last decade, the number of arrests for murder has increased. There are, on average, fewer violent crimes but more violent criminals. The number of juveniles (under 18) arrested for murder has increased 44% over the last decade, from 43 in 1985 to 62 in 1995. The number of adults arrested for murder has jumped 15%, from 283 in 1985 to 325 in 1995

Other violent crimes include aggravated assault and robbery. Over two-thirds of all aggravated assaults and one-half of all robberies are committed with some form of weapon. Aggravated assaults are up almost 20% over the last decade and robberies are up almost 17%. Robberies are classified as violent crime since personal confrontation is included in a robbery.

Crimes Against Property

Burglaries have been decreasing over the last decade, from about 80,000 in 1985 to about 70,000 in 1995 (a 12% decrease). In 1995, 46,506 residences were entered unlawfully and New Jersey families suffered over $50 million in property losses. Also in 1995, 23,041 businesses were entered unlawfully and suffered over $25 million in property losses.

Vehicle thefts have remained almost constant over the last decade with 50,232 vehicles stolen in 1985 and 50,161 in 1995. These thefts do not include the new classification of "carjacking" which is a vehicle theft with driver present. Carjacking offenses are included as robberies.

To put New Jersey's vehicle theft statistics in perspective: in 1995, the value of vehicles stolen in New Jersey exceeded $350 million of which over $120 million remains un-recovered.

Crimes In Our Homes
Crime in New Jersey is not confined to the streets of the large cities; it is not safe at home for many of our residents. The number of reported incidents of domestic violence has more than doubled since 1985. In 86,631 of the crimes which occurred in New Jersey, both perpetrator and victim were in the same family. Children witnessed 45% of the crimes in New Jersey homes during 1995 - almost 40,000 crimes committed in the home while the children were present.

The NJFPC Viewpoint
We lock our doors, we have security systems, we do not walk in our neighborhoods at night, and we never let the kids out after dark. The impact of crime on New Jersey families is significant. We can not fully quantify this impact, but it can not be denied.

Our New Jersey families do not face the dangers alone. The number of police employees has increased about 18% over the last decade with concomitant increase in costs to the families and businesses in New Jersey.

The New Jersey Family Policy Council is grateful to these men and women who place their lives in jeopardy each day to protect our families. The dangers they face can be quantified: during 1995 more police officers were killed in the line of duty than in the previous 8 years combined. We grieve with the families of Andre Motley, John D. McLaughlin, John F. Norcross, and Ippolito Gonzalez, who were killed while in the performance of their duties during 1995.