Reduction in Nonviolent Crime in South Jersey
Nonviolent crime rates saw significant drops across all counties in South Jersey in 2012, according to the NJ Department of Law and Public Safety’s annual Uniform Crime Report. The report was highlighted by a 4.2 percent reduction in overall crime rate for New Jersey as a whole. This overall figure included a decrease of 4.6 percent in violent crime and 4.1 percent in nonviolent crime respectively.
Some findings in the report show that there is room for improvement in South Jersey as violent crime increased in all counties except Camden County. While Camden County reduced violent crime by 5.4 percent, Burlington County’s rate increased 3.2 percent and Gloucester County’s violent crime rate escalated 7.8 percent. Officials are pleased with the drop in total crime, but plan to use these results to target trouble areas like urban violence.
The Uniform Crime Report keeps tallies of seven categories including the violent crimes of murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The nonviolent crimes include burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft. Compared to their 2011 rates, Camden County and Burlington County’s overall crime went down 4.7 percent and 3.6 percent respectively. Gloucester County did not see a similar improvement, but instead had a 0.2 percent increase in overall crime. Some results from the report can be misleading due to the nature of comparing year-by-year results such as comparing Gloucester County’s seven homicides in 2012 to a historical low of three in 2011.
The city of Camden had its third most-deadly year with a gruesome 67 reported homicides, but still made incredible strides in reducing crime as the total crime rate dropped 9.3 percent. These 2012 results may raise concerns over the decision to replace the city force with a county-run police department in May 2013. However, positive improvements should continue for Camden as 89 officers were added to the Camden County force this past December. With a 10.2 percent drop in nonviolent offenses, strong efforts must be centered on curbing the growing rate of rape and murder incidents.
South Jersey Criminal Defense Attorney Michele Finizio Devotes Full Effort to Fighting Your Criminal Charges in NJ
The New Jersey criminal justice system is complex and an effective criminal defense will depend on an experienced New Jersey criminal law attorney from the start. Michele Finizio, Esq. represents clients facing a wide range of charges that include robbery, assault, drug offenses, and gun crimes. If you are charged with a crime, call her office at 856-888-9059 or contact her online to get the representation you need today.
The Law Offices of Michele Finizio is located in Moorestown, New Jersey and serve clients in Camden County, Burlington County, Atlantic County, Mercer County, Gloucester County, Cape May County and Salem County.
