| Photo via Jersey City Public Safety Website
JERSEY CITY, NJ—The city administration has announced that Jersey City has achieved the lowest number of homicides in recorded history, with decreased shootings and other major crime categories. Officials credit this historic milestone with the Fulop Administration’s strategic investments and innovative approaches over the past 11 years.
In 2024, Jersey City’s strategic and community-focused approach to crime prevention has led to several significant milestones:
- The lowest number of homicides in recorded history, with 6.
- Far outpacing last year’s record-low of 11 homicides.
- Jersey City’s homicide rate is half of where New York City currently stands and well below the national urban average.
- Just 10 years ago, Jersey City had 24 homicides in 2014 – a 75% decrease to date.
- Shootings are down 45% from last year.
“This is the first year we achieved single digits for homicides. As one of the most densely populated cities in the U.S., what we have accomplished in Jersey City is a reflection of our strategic and community-focused approach to crime prevention that has redefined what’s possible for mid-sized cities across the state and nation,” Mayor Steven Fulop said. “While one homicide is still too many, our public safety initiatives are clearly making a difference, and we remain committed to working with our residents to drive crime down even further.”
With its consistent year-over-year reductions in crime across the state’s second-largest city, the Fulop administration’s forward-thinking has saved lives and established Jersey City as a national model for crime reduction. In addition, community-driven structural changes have been central to fostering safer neighborhoods and stronger relationships between residents and law enforcement.
According to officials, another key factor leading to the drastic decline in homicides and shootings is the investment made by the mayor and city council to build a robust CCTV camera system. Using the cameras to target crime hotspots has played a key role in the intelligence-driven approach that has proven very effective in investigations and prosecutions, ultimately keeping the most violent offenders behind bars.
Public Safety Director James Shea said his office has put a lot of “emphasis in changing the culture of our police department.” “The driving force behind these historic crime decreases are the men and women in our police and fire departments, as well as our efforts to strengthen our partnerships with the state and federal prosecutorial agencies,” Shea said.
At today’s announcement, city officials broke down crime data across the board to demonstrate the significant decreases in major crime categories and slight upticks in lower-level crimes, such as package thefts.
Fulop also shared Vision Zero’s progress in improving safety for all road users, including over 760-speed humps installed, restricting right turns on red at 225 intersections, over 730 curb ramps built, targeted improvements on high-injury streets, among other safe streets efforts that have proven effective in saving lives and reducing injuries on city streets.
“Our goal is not just for continued success here in Jersey City, but also to help other cities and towns consider these proven tactics to help their neighborhoods achieve the successes,” Police Director Tawana Moody said
–With Ricky Rillera/PDM
