Mercer Times

In a recent announcement on January 2, 2024, the Paterson Police Department unveiled a significant reduction in violent crime based on their year-end crime data reporting for the year 2023. The data revealed noteworthy decreases in various crime categories, showcasing a positive trend in the city of Paterson.

According to Officer in Charge Abbassi, the statistics for 2023 demonstrate a substantial improvement in public safety. He stated, "We made a promise to our residents that we will deliver a safer city for them, and that is exactly what we are doing." The report highlighted decreases in murders, shootings, shooting victims, aggravated assaults, sexual violence, and robberies compared to the previous year.

The data showed that shooting incidents in 2023 were the lowest in over a decade, with a one-third reduction compared to 2022. Additionally, the fourth quarter of 2023 witnessed a significant drop of more than 40% in overall shootings. The Paterson Police Department's proactive measures resulted in the recovery of 160 firearms throughout the year, contributing to the prevention of further tragedies.

Officer in Charge Abbassi expressed gratitude towards various public safety partners for their support, emphasizing, "I would like to thank Governor Murphy, Attorney General Platkin, our Passaic County Prosecutor and Passaic County Sheriff, and all of our federal and state public safety partners for their continued support of the Paterson Police Department." He also noted the exceptional progress in crime reduction within the community, stating, "Crime is going down across the country but no community is seeing the same decrease that Paterson is."

The successful outcomes in crime reduction were attributed to strategic initiatives such as the Summer Crime and Quality of Life Strategy, violence reduction programs, and neighborhood revitalization efforts. These initiatives, coupled with community engagement through listening sessions and enhanced communication channels, have contributed to the overall improvement in public safety within Paterson.

Looking ahead to 2024, Officer in Charge Abbassi expressed optimism about sustaining the positive changes within the department and enhancing strategies to ensure the safety and well-being of all community members. He remarked, "I look forward to 2024 to continue the improvements made to the department and our strategies to make sure community members feel safe while they walk down the street in Paterson."