Crime Down in Morris County

Morris County reported the largest year-to-year drop in reported crimes of all 21 New Jersey counties in 2010.

The 2010 Uniform Crime Reports were released Friday by New Jersey State Police. The data is collected from municipal police departments statewide. Morris County recorded 5,644 offenses in 2010—a 5.62 percent decrease from 2009.

The county overall crime rate was measured at 11.5 victims per 1,000 residents.

The state report said violent crime was down 8.27 percent, from 387 to 355 incidents. Rape decreased 29.73 percent, from 37 to 26 incidents. Robbery dropped from 100 to 91, or 9 percent. Aggravated assault decreased 4.84 percent, from 248 to 236. Larceny dropped 7.07 percent, from 4,329 to 4,023. Motor vehicle thefts dropped 29.33 percent, from 208 to 147.

"This is a direct reflection of the tenacious work of the Morris County law enforcement community," said Morris County Prosecutor Robert Bianchi. "We have all worked hard with the Morris Countywide Crime Plan  to gather meaningful crime intelligence, and conduct fruitful investigations and prosecutions to eradicate those persons who pose the greatest threat to the community."

The drop in total countywide crime was also reflected in many of the individual Morris towns.

Chatham Township had a drop of 11.5 percent as reported incidents went from 52 in 2009 to 46 in 2010. Burglaries were up from 7 to 15, while larcenies dropped from 44 to 31. Domestic violence complaints were up from 20 in 2009 to 32 in 2010.

Jefferson had a drop of 18.3 percent overall as the number of reported incidents dropped from 278 to 228. Violent crime incidents increased from 19 to 22, while non-violent crimes dropped from 260 to 206. Burglaries dropped from 83 to 53. Larcenies dropped from 173 to 150. Domestic violence complaints dropped from 119 to 112.

Madison saw the number of reported incidents drop from 148 to 123, or 17 percent. Violent crime incidents dropped from 14 to 5. Non-violent incidents dropped from 134 to 118. Burglaries increased from 19 to 35. Larcenies dropped 108 to 83. Domestic violence complaints dropped from 55 to 30.

Montville saw reported incidents drop from 168 to 134.

Mendham Township saw a drop from 33 incidents to 27, but Mendham borough's reported incidents rose  from 22 to 26, led by an increase in larcenies from 17 to 21 and increase in domestic violence incidents from nine to 11.

Morris Township saw a drop in reported incidents of  166 to 133, or 20 percent. Morris Plains recorded a drop in total incidents from 116 to 92.

Morristown recorded a drop in total incidents from 555 to 534, which included drops in larcenies from 378 to 347, and domestic violence complaints from 206 to 127. Burgalries increased from 79 to 95.

Mountain Lakes reported a slight drop from 65 total incidents in 2009 to 62. Long Hill saw a drop from 87 to 70. Washington Township dropped from 101 to 94.

Parsippany had a drop of 18.8 pecent in recorded incidents, from 786 in 2009 to 638. Morris County's largest municipality had the largest number of reported car thefts, with 27, an increase of one from 2009. Burglaries dropped from 233 to 212, and larcenies dropped from 486 to 373, but domestic violence complaints rose from 235 to 27.

Among county towns with reported crime increases were Butler, which saw an increase in reported incidents from 100 in 2009 to 112; and Denville, which had an increase of 35 incidents to 166, with larcenies increasing from 92 in 2009 to 119. Kinnelon also had an incease in reported incidents, from 57 in 2009 to 82, an increase of 43.8 percent.

State police attributed the changes in crime rates to several factors, including more police foot patrols in high crime areas, better lighting in many areas, more citizen reporting of suspicious activity, and such initiatives as Safe Streets efforts.

The drop in the number of car thefts was attributed to modern locking systems, but the state police said that many cars were being stolen for parts.