Public Safety

Asbury Park is considered a high-crime city compared to the rest of New Jersey and the U.S. average. The West Side in particular is more dangerous than the rest of the city, not only in terms of resident perception but also according to geolocated crime data. Crime and public safety has consistently been raised by West Side residents as one of the major issues that needs to be addressed.

The Asbury Park Police Department has been implementing new and enhanced strategies in the West Side in addition to making a concerted effort to form more productive and friendly relationships with residents.

To join this working group, click here.

top issues identified by working group

  • Crime hotspots
  • Diversity in the police department
  • Police/community relations
  • Stayed about the Same
  • Declined Some or a Lot
  • Improved Some or a Lot
Survey on West Side Neighborhood Safety Over Time, 2008-2012*
Citywide Crime Statistics

Citywide Crime Statistics

  1. THEFT
  2. ASSAULT
  3. BURGLARY
  • Asbury Park
  • U.S. Average
Crime Index, 2010-2014
Violent Crimes per 1,000 Residents
Property Crimes per 1,000 Residents

Sources: neighborhoodscout.com, city-data.com, spotcrime.com, Asbury Park resident surveys

Crime Heat Map

0%
... of respondents to a 2012 West Side resident survey said that public safety was the characteristic they liked least about their community.*
0%
... of respondents to a 2012 West Side resident survey said that they would recommend the neighborhood to families with children.*
Recent Asbury Park Police Department Efforts

  • WALKING PATROLS: Officers on foot in trouble areas including Springwood Ave
  • BIKE PATROLS: Up to six bike patrols throughout the city each day
  • STREET CRIMES UNIT: Targets high-crime areas seven days a week, up from four
  • ENHANCED MOBILE PATROLS: Mobile patrols have tripled in trouble areas
  • ENHANCED VISIBILITY: Effort to be more visible to deter potential crime

COPS ON DOTS

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The APPD utilizes mapping and other data to identify crime hotspots and place officers there in order to deter potential crime.

The Community Says...

  • CRIME AND DRUG ACTIVITY are major issues in the West Side, partially due to the large number of vacant lots
  • RELATIONSHIPS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT are improving
  • THE NEIGHBORHOOD has a reputation of being unsafe

Feedback from a September 29, 2016 community listening session

*This survey was conducted in 2012 after a period of elevated violence in the neighborhood, and so it must be kept in mind that recent events may have influenced responses.

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