Cranford Schools See Less Violence, Slightly More Vandalism, Weapons, Substances

Incidents of violence in Cranford schools have decreased, while incidents of vandalism, weapons and substance abuse have increased over the past year, according to the annual Electronic Violence and Vandalism System Report provided by the State of New Jersey Department of Education.

There were no incidents of violence over the 2008-2009 school year, a number that includes harassment, assault and threats. That's a decrease from one incident that took place during the 2006-2007 school year.

While there were no vandalism, weapon or substance abuse incidents in the 2006-2007 school year, Cranford schools saw two vandalism, one weapon, and three substance abuse incidents in the 2008-2009 school year.

The N.J. Department of Education last month released its report on violence, vandalism and substance abuse incidents in all New Jersey schools during the 2007-2008 school year. The report showed that statewide, violence declined five percent, vandalism declined 11 percent, weapons declined 14 percent, and substance abuse increased four percent from the year before.

Similarly, the state's three-year comparisons, using data between 2005-2006 and 2007-2008, showed promising trends.

• Under violence, the number of fights declined slightly (230 or five percent), whereas the number of terroristic threats increased by 70 (or 36 percent);
• Under vandalism, significant three-year declines can be seen in both the reported number of incidents of property damage (377 or 21 percent) and theft (324 or 20 percent); and
• Under weapons, the incidents involving a weapon other than a firearm declined by 162 or 12 percent.

The number of incidents involving alcohol also declined 17 percent, but the incidents involving unauthorized use of prescription drugs jumped significantly, from 110 in 2005-2006 to 195 in 2007-2008, or 77 percent.

The state's report includes data from all municipalities. Comparing Cranford to comparable schools in Union County, Cranford schools had the lowest violence rate  in 2007-2008 at 0 incidents. Summit reported 15 that year; Scotch Plains, 23; and Westfield, 11. Cranford also had lower rates of vandalism, at two, and substances, at three, but matched Westfield and Summit with a single weapons report.

To view the state's full report, go here.