Crime Rate Drops in Ridgewood

Overall crime declined in 2011 over the previous year in Ridgewood, according to recently released state police data. 

The 193 overall incidents reported in 2011 was down from 222 in 2010, the state Uniform Crime Report showed. Violent crime reported in the village saw a slight increase with 8 incidents in 2011, up from 7 in 2010. 

The data, compiled and reported by the NJ State Police, tracked reports of murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft and motor vehicle theft, known as "index crimes."

There were no murders or rapes in Ridgewood for 2010 or 2011. One robbery was reported in 2011, up from zero reports the year prior. Seven aggravated assaults were reported in both years.

Non-violent crime also fell in Ridgewood over the previous year from 215 incidents to 185.

Countywide, the report showed Bergen also saw an increase in burglary last year. But 36 burglaries were reported in 2011 in Ridgewood, down from 50 in 2010.

Larceny reports also plunged from 165 to 144 incidents. Five cars were stolen however, where none were snatched up in 2010. Two reports of arson were recorded in 2011, over one the previous year.

Overall crime per 1,000 people fell from 8.9 to 7.7. It also bucked the trend across New Jersey.

There were 217,073 reported crimes in New Jersey in 2011. . 

According to the report, there was a crime committed once every 2 minutes and 25 seconds in 2011, and males accounted for 69 percent of arrests.