Violent Crime Surges in Paterson, Despite Overall Drop in Crime

Violent crime increased significantly in Paterson in 2005, with 20 murders, 34 rapes, and 776 aggravated assaults reported. This marks a notable spike from the previous year, when there were 12 murders, 22 rapes, and 553 aggravated assaults. Meanwhile, property crime, such as car theft and arson, decreased. According to the Paterson Police Department's report, overall crime dropped by 3 percent, from 5,961 to 5,804.

Key Takeaways:

• Violent crime surged in Paterson in 2005, with a significant increase in murders, rapes, and aggravated assaults, compared to the previous year.
• The Paterson Police Department reported 20 murders, 34 rapes, and 776 aggravated assaults in 2005, up from 12 murders, 22 rapes, and 553 aggravated assaults in 2004.
• Property crime, such as car theft and arson, decreased in 2005, contributing to a 3 percent overall decrease in crime from 5,961 to 5,804.
• Police Director Michael Walker attributed the increase in violent crime to the city's drug trade and gang problems.
• Sgt. Anthony Traina explained that the increase in reported sexual assaults resulted from improved reporting of "statutory rape" by family, schools, and the Department of Youth and Family Services.
• Changes in how aggravated assaults are reported by police also contributed to the increase in reported incidents in 2005.
• Walker stated that the department is doubling the size of the narcotics and vice division and focusing on high-crime areas, but acknowledged that increased manpower may not necessarily decrease violent crimes.
• Walker emphasized that most violent crimes occur at night, between people who know each other, and typically involve individuals in their upper teens or early 20s.
• The department is instead focusing on social clubs and places that serve illegal alcohol as potential hotspots for violent crime.

Statistics:

• 20 murders were reported in 2005, compared to 12 in 2004 (Source: Paterson Police Department)
• 34 rapes were reported in 2005, compared to 22 in 2004 (Source: Paterson Police Department)
• 776 aggravated assaults were reported in 2005, compared to 553 in 2004 (Source: Paterson Police Department)
• Overall crime decreased by 3 percent, from 5,961 to 5,804 (Source: Paterson Police Department)
• The Paterson Police Department's narcotics and vice division is doubling in size to focus on high-crime areas (Source: Police Director Michael Walker)

Sources:

• Byline: CRISTIAN SALAZAR, SPECIAL TO THE RECORD PATERSON
• E-mail: salazarc@northjersey.com