The Mayor's Column

Township Crime Rate is Impressive

During the past 42 years, the annual publication of “Crime in New Jersey” has been used as a means of presenting an impartial and accurate account of the status of crime in the State.

The report is prepared and issued by the Division of State Police Uniform Crime Reporting Unit.

The recently released statistics show Monroe Township’s crime rate was 7.3 per 1,000 residents. Compared to the other 24 municipalities in Middlesex County, the crime rate in Monroe is the second lowest (tiny Helmetta has an index rate of 4.5 and a total of 12 crimes in 2008).

The 2008 average crime rate for all municipalities in Middlesex County was 22.5 offenses per 1,000 people, which is approximately three times greater than Monroe Township’s crime rate of 7.3.

The facts in the annual statewide crime report are obtained by the New Jersey Uniform Crime Reporting System, which is based upon the compilation, classification and analysis of crime data reported by all New Jersey Police agencies in accordance with the regulations prescribed by law. All law enforcement agencies in the state are responsible for submitting monthly and annual summary crime reports. All reported offenses are compiled from records of all criminal complaints received by police during routine operations.

Chief John Kraivec and the Monroe Township Police Department work diligently to keep the crime rate as low as possible. Their efforts include providing training and educating our Police Department on the current crime trends in our area. Officers that have been assigned as liaisons to our County Task Force bring back critical information to share, so we may combat crime as effectively and efficiently as possible. The Police Department has added Mobile Data Computers to almost every patrol car so officers car remain out on patrol while they write their reports.

We have a proactive Traffic Enforcement Unit, which also assists in high-visibility policing. Our Detective Bureau reaches out to and responds to requests for speakers and information on crime prevention. During a typical year, several dozen informative talks with the public are conducted and include topics such as home safety, personal safety, computer internet safety and general crime prevention.
 

The Monroe Township Police Department should be commended for its outstanding service, especially for the programs and activities developed in the area of crime prevention. The D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program, which has been a cooperative effort between the police and the School District, educates our children at a very young age about drugs and is the type of prevention program that helps reduce crime.

In August, the Police Department held its annual National Night Out event in Thompson Park. The gathering provides residents with an opportunity to meet one-on-one with police and urges residents to get involved in Neighborhood Watch Programs and strengthen relationship between the community and police and other emergency management personnel.

The Police Department will continue to forge relationships with our residents and help keep Monroe a safe place to live, raise a family and retire. 
 

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