Crime & Safety
Overalll Crime, Violent Crime Drop in West Deptford
Data released by the state Attorney General's office shows total crime dropped for the second straight year in the township.
Violent crimes in West Deptford dropped to their lowest level in the last five years, and the overall crime rate dipped slightly from 2009, according to data released as part of the 2010 Uniform Crime Report for New Jersey.
There were a total of 523 crimes reported in the township throughout 2010, with the vast majority of them being thefts, and just 28 violent crimes through the year, down from 44 in 2009.
West Deptford Police Chief Craig Mangano said he was glad to see the overall crime number drop for the second straight year.
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“Given our population, although I'd like to see our crime rate lower, I think we had a good year,” he said.
The overall decrease in crime came despite an increase of about 13 percent in calls for police service by the public–everything from crimes in progress to car crashes to neighbor complaints. The department handled a total of 29,131 calls during all of 2010, up from 25,814.
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“It shows that even though we're busy, handling more calls than prior years, at least the crime rate still went down,” Mangano said.
And though the overall number and violent crimes were down, the number of nonviolent crimes jumped slightly, particular in burglaries, which went from 99 in 2009 up to 117 in 2010. Those trends mirrored the statewide numbers, which saw an increase of about five percent in burglaries and one percent in thefts.
Mangano attributed that at least partly to economics–he pointed out that crimes like shoplifting typically spike when times are tough–but noted burglaries can be crimes of opportunity.
Burglaries of unlocked cars and homes, something West Deptford has seen numerous times in the past several years, are one of the most obvious examples of those crimes of opportunity, Mangano said, and can be combated with just the turn of a key.
“If you take that opportunity away, there's a good chance the crime rate will drop,” he said.
Beyond that, Mangano said residents can help by paying attention to what’s happening in their neighborhoods, or joining a neighborhood watch.
“They do make a difference,” he said. “The police can't be everywhere at one time.”
Ultimately, though, Mangano said it’s most important to have an active, involved police department visible in the community. He praised his officers and detectives for their work to solve crimes and get out to patrol the streets to maintain a presence in the township.
“If your police force has the reputation in the criminal community as a responsive police department, they tend to shy away from your town,” Mangano said.
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