Score one for the good guys

County and local officials in our area are rightfully pleased by the significant declines registered in the crime statistics reported for 2005 (read the full report referred to in the Record article here). Teaneck was among the many Bergen County municipalities that saw a notable decline in the crime rate, with crimes per 1,000 residents dropping from 20.6 in 2004 to only 17.3 in 2005.

Drilling down into the statistics, it is evident that the fall in the Teaneck crime rate was wholly attributable to reductions in non-violent crimes, especially burglary and larceny. The violent crime rate was unchanged at 1.9 incidents 1,000 (which consisted of one murder, three rapes, 37 robberies, and 33 aggravated assaults).

There is no disputing that these statistics are encouraging, but it is also clear that they do not tell the whole story. Recent headlines on other types of crimes (not captured by the statistics) that have been perpetrated in Teaneck, the growing threat of gang activity as evidenced by the murder of Ricky Lee Smith, plus an (anecdotal, yet alarming) rise in vandalism and other more minor incidents in Teaneck's residential neighborhoods make it clear that both residents and law enforcement personnel need to remain vigilant to safeguard our families, our property, and the peaceful atmosphere of our neighborhoods from those who would threaten them.