Newark marks its first murder-free month in 44 years

[The Straight Story]

Newark marks its first murder-free month in 44 years

For the first time in 44 years, Newark, N.J., has not recorded a single homicide during a full calendar month, The Star-Ledger reports.

The last homicide occurred 32 days ago, besting a 1966 record, says Police Director Garry McCarthy, who is now eyeing a 50-year record of 43 murder-free days.

While many factors are involved, the statistics reflect an aggressive effort by Mayor Cory Booker to lower the crime rate.

Booker applauded the murder-free month on his Facebook page.

The Star-Ledger also notes that the murder rate for the quarter is the second best since 1941 and says major crime rates for shootings, aggravated assaults, robberies and carjacking are also down for the first quarter compared with 2009.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2010/04/newark-marks-its-first-murder-free-month-in-44-years/1

[ensho]

1. congratulations - may it happen more and more

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[TheWraith]

3. Actually, that's well known to people who don't fear firearms.

The number of guns has spiked in this country at the same time as crime has been dropping. That's why people laugh at the assertion that more guns equals more crime.

[The Straight Story]

4. Shhh Some people think guns cause crime, not people. Don't spoil their fantasy! (nt)

[jazzhound]

10. The notion that more guns = more crime began in the early 60's

when there was an actual correlation between the number of guns and the number of violent crimes. That correlation ended decades ago, however.

There are lots of guns in the U.S. There is a significant amount of violent crime in the U.S. Ergo, the guns CAUSE the crime. Isn't it astounding that otherwise intelligent people who would never reason in this fashion suddenly do so when it comes to emotionally charged issues like gun control? I actually have a good friend that is such an extreme hater he can't *begin* to think straight on this issue.

The Neanderthal observed: "I had a very successful hunt today. Hmmm..........I smacked my woman this morning. Obviously I have to smack my woman prior to hunting every day!"

[LeftinOH]

5. 1966? Maybe there's just nobody left to murder. n/t

[tburnsten]

6. I think you nailed it! N/T

[PavePusher]

7. Nawww...

Honest murderers wouldn't be caught dead in Newark...



Thanks folks, I'm here all night. Please tip your wait-staff....

[jazzhound]

8. Yes!!! I agree ---- may it happen more and more

Just may go to show that when you do the heavy lifting required to attempt to solve this problem -- as Mayor Booker apparently has -- you get results. Beats the hell out of spinning your wheels scapegoating guns.

[aikoaiko]

9. As someone who grew up in northern Jersey, this makes me happy

Its time for a Newark renaissance.