Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Deputy Mayor of Public Safety LaKeesha Eure, Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda, Sr., Office of Violence Prevention & Trauma Recovery (OVPTR) Director Kyleesha Wingfield-Hill, and Brick City Peace Collective Director Jessiah Paul announced 2024 crime statistics at a press conference held in Newark.
“This year’s crime stats reflect reductions in every crime category when compared to Newark’s crime stats from almost 60 years ago,” Director Miranda said. “Our data shows that Newark experienced 84 murders in 1967. While one murder is one too many, that statistic has been reduced by 56 percent this year. Further, since Mayor Baraka took office 10 years ago, the City of Newark has reported reductions in nearly every crime category. Most notably, this year’s results reflect a 61 percent decrease in murders and a 47 percent decrease in non-fatal shootings when compared to 2014. When comparing 2024 to 2023, we report a 23 percent decrease in murders, reflecting a crime statistic we haven’t seen since the 1940s and resulting in a safer Newark for our residents and visitors,” he added.
“One of the areas where we show a significant reduction this year is in auto thefts,” Director Miranda said. When comparing 2024 to 2023, we show a 35 percent decrease in this property crime category. That’s because our residents heard us when we asked them to refrain from leaving their cars running and unattended. They also took advantage of the free steering wheel locks our Precinct Commanders and Community Service Officers began distributing to owners of targeted vehicles that had been part of a social media auto theft challenge,” he said.
Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery partners in attendance included Until Freedom, Hear My Cries, Rz the Flag, HUBB, PUSHH, United Community Corporation, Be the Change Makers, ONE HOOD, New Direction, All Stars Project, All About the Seniors and Kids, and Community Safe Zone representative Shombay Bandele. #newarknj #publicsafety #police #community #partnership #newjersey #cops #violenceprevention #BackTogetherAgain
