Burglaries, Vehicle Thefts Increase in 2011
Violent crime sees slight jump, according to report.
The New Jersey State Police Uniform Crime Report showed the number of burglaries, motor vehicle thefts and aggravated assault cases in Washington Township to have increased between 2010 and 2011.
According to the report, released last week, violent crime in the township jumped with one more robbery case (no robberies were reported in 2010) in 2011 and three more aggravated assaults than in the prior year. The number of larcenies in Washington Township decreased slightly while the number of burglaries increased by 13 reported cases.
Washington Township's Crime Index Total increased from 94 in 2010 to 110 in 2011.
The information collected by state police is based on a 2010 estimated population of 18,533 people. Washington Township is classified as a "suburban" community by state police.
The following is a breakdown of Washington Township-specific information included in the report:
| Municipality | Year | Crime Index Total | Violent Crime | Non-violent Crime | Crime rate per 1,000 | Violent crime rate per 1,000 | Nonviolent crime rate per 1,000 |
| Washington Township | 2010 | 94 | 7 | 87 | 5.1 | 0.4 | 4.7 |
| 2011 | 110 | 10 | 100 | 5.9 | 0.5 | 5.4 |
| Violent Crime | Nonviolent Crime | |||||||
| Murder | Rape | Robbery | Aggravated Assault | Burglary | Larceny | Motor Vehicle Theft | Arson | |
| 2010 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 15 | 69 | 3 | 2 |
| 2011 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 28 | 66 | 6 | 1 |
*Information from the New Jersey State Police 2011 Uniform Crime Report.
The report also shows a three percent rise in overall crime, mostly in nonviolent crime, throughout the state. Nonviolent crimes are classified as burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft.
Violent crimes, classified as murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault, stayed the same statewide, according to New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa.
Eileen Stokes
3:18 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Jason, these figures are for Washington Township, Morris County, yes? The illustrated breakdown is marked "Hackettstown."
Ariana Cohn-Sheehan
4:48 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Hi Eileen, That was my error and has since been corrected but yes, the figures are for Washington Township in Morris County.
LV Taxpayer
9:04 am on Thursday, December 20, 2012
And during this time, has our police force increased in numbers, decreased or remained the same?
Jason Koestenblatt
9:20 am on Thursday, December 20, 2012
Hey LV Resident - Thanks for the comment. No, there was no change in the size of the department from 2010 to 2011.
LV Taxpayer
12:36 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012
So, then, pursuant to a previous thread where some folks were suggesting that "more police = less crime", this seems to contradict that theory if the same number of police = more crime.
I suppose the proponents of that 'theory' were under the impression that a heavier police presence would somehow deter crime.
Any thoughts on why we had the increase? More crime targets (no pun intended)? More criminals? Current police officers working on other details, such as traffic 'safety'?
FourScore
10:21 am on Thursday, December 20, 2012
I would venture to guess that the opening of Target in Washington Twp might have something to do with the increase in burglaries and car thefts.
Jason Koestenblatt
10:35 am on Thursday, December 20, 2012
Actually, Hookerman, the numbers say otherwise. Target opened in the fall of 2008. The uniform crime report from '09 to '10, which was reported here: http://patch.com/A-vzF7 shows a major dip in burglaries during that time period, and no change in car thefts.
To that end, though, if you want to say economic conditions led to more theft from the retail store (and many of those police reports were displayed on Long Valley Patch), then I would completely agree with you.
As always, everyone, thanks for the comments.
FourScore
1:22 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012
That’s interesting; I didn’t realize that Target has been around that long. But seeing that the number of burglaries was pretty constant between 2009 and 2011, the dip in 2010 may have been an anomaly. As far as car thefts going up, that’s hard to say unless we know where the six occurred. At least there were no incidents of rape in 2011 as there was in 2010.
Michael K Mc Kell
11:41 am on Thursday, December 20, 2012
Still better the anywhere in Essex county and far less taxes
Bobby39
3:11 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012
That's the answer LV Taxpayer! Blame the cops and traffic "safety" details! Not! Maybe the fact the crime rate both state and nation wide are up! Maybe the fact unemployment is at a all time high! Maybe the fact people don't look out for neighbors! With all that our police force does to protect us and our families you should be a shamed to post a comment like that! think before you write a post!
LV Taxpayer
4:24 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012
No blaming going on here, just looking for opinions.
You can provide yours without exclamation points at the end of each sentance.
Why should I be 'ashamed' to question how our tax dollars are spent?
You act like the police are doing us A FAVOR by doing their job! They're our employees and that's what WE'RE PAYING THEM to do.
Kenny Fisher
4:46 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012
LV Taxpayer, believe me your local police force does the bare minimum where you are concerned. Keep hiding behind your internet pseudonym and leave the policing to the real men.
LV Taxpayer
5:42 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012
@Kenny Fisher: FYI, I'm not a man, and based on your valueless contribution to this thread, neither are you.
Kenny Fisher
9:30 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012
I agree you are not a man, and I guess I'll say I am not one either. Either way you suck.