Towns Saw Increase in Crime from 2007 to 2008

Crime rose in Cranford last year, according to the 2008 Uniform Crime Report, which was recently released by the state attorney general’s office.

The report says that Cranford had an increase of 87 crimes, with a total of 329. That's up from 242 in 2007.

The increase came in the form of non-violent crimes, with 318 this year as opposed to 230 in 2007. Cranford's violent crime total dropped by one (11 in 2008, 12 in 2007).  The overall crime rate in the town increased to 15 for every 1,000 people, from 10.8 in 2007.

Thankfully, the murder rate remains at zero for both years.

Cranford posted drops in the following categories: rape, robbery and domestic violence. It saw increases in aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, arson and bias crime. Robbery saw the biggest decrease from six in 2007 to four in 2008. Larceny saw the biggest increase from 192 in 2007 to 265 in 2008.

One rape occurred in the township in 2007, as opposed to zero in 2008. Aggravated assault increased by two from five in 2007 to seven in 2008. Burglary increased from 32 (2007) to 45 (2008); motor vehicle theft increased from six (2007) to eight (2008); arson increased from zero (2007) to one(2008); bias crime from one (2007) to two (2008).

Compared to the rest of Union County, Cranford's crime rate ranks higher than other comparable suburban communities. Scotch Plains and Westfield, both identified by the report as suburban towns with populations similar to that of Cranford, had lower crime totals.

The report reveals that most of the crime in the county was focused in the major urban areas, with Elizabeth, Plainfield and Union Township posting the largest rates. There were 16,800 crimes countywide in 2008, up from 15,622 in 2007.

Overall Crime Rates for Each Town in Union County in 2008

Berkeley Heights - 91

Clark - 159

Cranford - 329

Elizabeth - 6,931

Fanwood - 88

Garwood - 44

Hillside - 772

Kenilworth - 176

Linden - 1,531

Mountainside - 58

New Providence  - 109

Plainfield - 2,001

Rahway - 744

Roselle - 641

Roselle Park  - 234

Scotch Plains - 279

Summit - 331

Union Township - 1,681

Westfield - 293

Winfield - 27