For the third consecutive year, New Jersey has recorded its lowest number of shooting victims since statewide tracking began in 2009. In 2025, the state reported 559 gunshot injury victims, marking a 28% decrease from the previous year’s record low of 778. Fatalities among those shot also dropped by 31%, with 107 deaths reported.
The announcement was made at a press conference in East Rutherford attended by Governor Phil Murphy, Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, and New Jersey State Police Acting Superintendent Lieutenant Colonel Dave Sierotowicz. Officials highlighted that nearly all major cities—including Atlantic City, Camden, Newark, Paterson, and Trenton—experienced significant reductions in shooting victims. Atlantic City and Paterson saw drops of more than 50%, while Camden, Newark, and Trenton reported decreases between 23% and 31%.
The number of shooting murder victims has now fallen for four consecutive years to an all-time low. The total number of people killed by gunfire is down over 60% compared to the peak in 2016.
Statewide auto thefts have also declined. In 2025, there were 13,693 vehicles stolen—a reduction of 9% from the previous year’s total of 15,041. Officials attribute many violent crimes to connections with auto thefts.
Governor Murphy stated: “Today, we recognize sustained progress in public safety, with shootings and auto thefts continuing to decline across New Jersey in 2025. This progress reflects the strong leadership of the Office of the Attorney General, New Jersey State Police, dedicated law enforcement professionals, and community partners working together across our state. Since 2018, we have reduced crime, protected communities, and saved lives. As we recognize these accomplishments, we are also proud to have established the tools, practices, and initiatives that will support continued success in the years ahead. Even as we acknowledge this progress, we remain mindful of the victims of violence and their loved ones, as the work continues to make New Jersey safer for all.”
Lieutenant Governor Way added: “New Jersey residents are seeing the results of eight years of deliberate investment in public safety, with shootings and auto thefts continuing to decline in 2025. This progress reflects a broad statewide effort between the Governor’s Office, State Legislature, Office of the Attorney General, New Jersey State Police, law enforcement and community partners working together to reduce violence and prevent crime. While there is more work to be done this moment underscores the strength of the tools practices and initiatives that have been put in place during the Murphy Administration to protect residents and support lasting public safety across our state.”
Attorney General Platkin commented: “Consistent progress like this is only possible because of the outstanding collaboration among all of our law enforcement partners. We have taken new and strategic approaches to public safety,and they have yielded positive results in making our residents safer.Whether through community-based violence intervention programs or the continuing developmentof ARRIVE Together initiative,we are making a difference.We are handing over tothe incoming administration positive established trends,and I know this important work will continue.”
Lieutenant Colonel Sierotowicz said: “The decline in shooting victimsand auto theftsis direct resultof law enforcement agencies working togetherand using intelligence-led policingto drive our decisions.By coordinating efforts,targeting right offenders,and deploying resources strategically,we are seeing real measurable reductionsin crimeandsafer communitiesacross NewJersey.”
Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco noted: “Bergen County continues to rank amongthe safest countiesin thenation,andthat’sa testamenttothe dedicationofourlawenforcementofficers first respondersandcommunity stakeholders.Governor Murphy’s leadershipandstrong partnershipwithcountieslikeours havemadepublic safety aclear priorityacrossNewJersey,and togetherweremaincommittedtokeepingourcommunitiessafeandwelcomingforeveryonewhocallsourstatehome.”
Officials credited technology-driven decision-making for supporting local,state,and federal agenciesin reducingshooting incidents.The Gun Violence Reduction Task Force (GVRTF),ledbythe AttorneyGeneral’sOffice,is describedasa statewideintelligence-sharing network spanningall21counties.Itenablescollaborationamonglawenforcementagenciesandprosecutorsatalllevels.Strategic focusisplacedonindividualsandfactorsdrivingviolence.
Since2017—theyearbeforeGovernorMurphytookoffice—thetotalnumberofshootingvictimsdeclinedby59%.From2021,theyearbeforeAttorneyGeneralPlatkinassumedhisrole,thedeclinehasexceeded60%.
Legislative actions under Governor Murphy include stricter laws on ghost gunsandlargecapacitymagazines.Statelegislationnowholdsguntraffickerscriminallyliablewhenweaponsareusedinviolence.NewJerseyhasalsoparticipatedina16-statecoalitionaimedatholdingirresponsiblemembersofthefirearmsindustryaccountable.TheSAFEOffice,foundedbyAttorneyGeneralPlatkinin2022,pursuescivillawsuitsagainstgunindustrymemberswhoseproductsareusedforcriminalactivity.
Efforts addressingauto theftincludeanAutoTheftTaskForce(ATTF)ledbytheStatePolice.Thistaskforcecombinesresourcesfromcounty,state,andmunicipalagencies.Itfocusesonbothrecoveringstolenvehiclesandconductinglong-terminvestigationsintocar-theftorganizations.Severaldozensofvehiclesworthmillionsofdollarswererecovered.Taskforceactionsincludeprosecutionsto deterrepeatoffendersandincreasevehicleownerrecoveries.LegislationpassedwiththesupportoftheAttorneyGeneral’sofficeinJuly2023strengthenedpenaltiesforpersistentoffendersandorganizedcar-theftnetworks.
InnovativeapproachestopublicsafetyfromNewJerseyhavebeennationallyrecognized.TheARRIVETogetherprogram—whichaddsamentalhealthcomponenttolawenforcementresponses—expandedtoall21counties,surpassing15kinteractionsstatewidesinceitsstartinDecember2021.CommunityBasedViolenceIntervention(CBVI)programmingreachedover97kcommunitymembersinthefirstthreequartersof2025throughschoolpartnerships,eventsinvolvement,directoutreach,andincidentresponse.TheDivisionofViolenceInterventionandVictimAssistance(VIVA)overseestheseefforts.
Morethan$150millionwasinvestedunderGovernorMurphyinsupportingcommunity-andhospital-basedviolenceinterventionaswellastraumarecoverycenters.FundingfortheARRIVEinitiativeisnearly$20millionintheFiscalYear2026budget.
The New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin is responsible for legal oversight and public safety throughout New Jersey; it provides services such as legal representation for state agencies,victim advocacy,laboratory support for criminal investigations,and consumer protection initiatives.Accordingtotheofficialwebsite,theagencyholdsstatutoryauthoritytoprosecuteoffensesandenforcelawsstatewide.Itextendsitsservicesacrossallcountiesandoffersa centralizedonlineportalastheprimarycontactpoint.Itfunctionsasastateagencyfocusedonjustice,enforcement,andregulation.
