TRENTON — The chairmen of the state Legislature’s public-safety committees are calling on Gov. Chris Christie and Attorney General Paula Dow to address an almost 14 percent rise in homicides throughout New Jersey last year. Sen. John Girgenti (D-Passaic) and Assemblyman Gordon Johnson (D-Bergen) said in a joint press release today that statewide police layoffs and a stagnant economy...
Officers patrol the scene of a Newark homicide in September. Newark saw a rise in homicides this year up from 80 in 2009.
TRENTON — The chairmen of the state Legislature’s public-safety committees are calling on Gov. Chris Christie and Attorney General Paula Dow to address an almost 14 percent rise in homicides throughout New Jersey last year.
Sen. John Girgenti (D-Passaic) and Assemblyman Gordon Johnson (D-Bergen) said in a joint press release today that statewide police layoffs and a stagnant economy could lead to a continued increase in crime this year and asked the Christie administration to come up with a formal plan to stifle violent crime in New Jersey.
"While the spike in homicides this year is truly disturbing, it is not altogether surprising, especially given the significant cuts in state aid that are causing massive layoffs in law enforcement in some of our largest cities," Girgenti said. "Cost-saving measures cannot trump public safety in the end."
On Saturday, The Star-Ledger reported New Jersey saw 364 homicides last year, compared with 320 in 2009, according to a survey of county prosecutor’s offices. Slayings had not risen annually across the state since 2006, according to statistics, and the survey showed homicides jumped in 12 of New Jersey’s 21 counties.
Johnson said a "coordinated crackdown on crime" could help boost the state’s sluggish economy.
"Businesses and residents alike want to have confidence that their government is doing all it can to make New Jersey a successful place to locate and flourish," he said.
Paul Loriquet, spokesman for the Attorney General’s Office, said Dow takes the homicide spike "very seriously" and state officials have also met with regional law enforcement leaders to discuss it.
"Keep in mind what constitutes a rise or dip in violent crime is a complex and multifaceted issue. New Jersey is not alone with an increase in violent crime," he said. "In light of a national economic downturn, several states are facing similar rises in crime."
Girgenti, Johnson and a Christie spokesman could not be reached for further comment tonight.
Previous coverage:
• New Jersey sees 14-percent spike in homicides over past year
• Devastated Newark families spend holiday mourning lost teenagers after string of shootings
• Large cuts in staff for Camden, Newark police could threaten anti-crime progress
• Newark anti-violence group holds 1-year anniversary march
• Newark sees spike in shooting, homicide rates over summer
• Elizabeth community remembers 16-year-old boy killed in shooting