Violent crimes flat, but nonviolent crime up 23 percent
By:Roger Alvarado
Hillsborough’s crime rate rose by almost 20 percent last year, according to the 2003 New Jersey State Police Uniform Crime Report. But despite the increase, Hillsborough remains a safe haven when compared to other communities in Somerset County.
While the number of violent crimes between 2002 and 2003 remained steady at 19, nonviolent crimes increased by 23 percent.
In 2003, there were 92 burglaries compared to 82 in 2002, 314 larcenies compared to 251 one year earlier and 16 motor vehicle thefts compared to just eight in 2003.
"There’s no one thing that these statistics can be attributed to," Lt. Paul Kaminsky said. "They fluctuate from year to year; there are variables that influence them, like the economy and demographic factors, but they’re usually cyclical. Back in 1998 and 1999, we were quite high in a lot of these same categories and then they went down and now they’ve appeared to have gone up."
Lt. Kaminsky says the numbers need to be taken and understood in comparison with other towns comparable to Hillsborough.
"Over the last five years compared to similar towns that have a similar geography and population in the county and across the state our numbers have remained consistently low," Lt. Kaminsky said.
Lt. Kaminsky says residents should be aware of the statistics, but shouldn’t be overly concerned about them and need to view them in the proper perspective.
Despite the rising trends, Hillsborough’s 11.7 percent overall crime rate is lower than similar towns like Bridgewater (15.4), Franklin Township (19.3) and Flemington Borough (16.7), which continue to maintain higher rates.
Lt. Kaminsky said he felt that some of the rise could be due to the way that the UCR is compiled.
Lt. Kaminsky pointed out that ATV thefts fall into the category of motor vehicle thefts though they’re not.
"It’s not like people have been out hotwiring BMWs," Lt. Kaminsky said.
He cited motor vehicle thefts as one of example of just how much the numbers tend to fluctuate.
"In 1999 we had 24 motor vehicle thefts, then in 2000 we had nine, in 2002 there were eight, so it’s really difficult to say," Lt. Kaminsky said.
He said that the fact that cases of domestic violence went up by 10 percent in 2003 from 447 to 492 could be because more temporary restraining orders have been requested.
By providing education and information to the general public on how and where to report cases, victims have felt more compelled to file complaints, according to Lt. Kaminsky.
Lt. Kaminsky says the department has and will continue to be prepared to take the necessary steps to address any problems that arise within the community through enforcement and the education of the general public.
"We don’t wait until the end of the year UCR comes up," Lt. Kaminsky said. "It’s an ongoing process. Our department works very hard to get the main serious issues to go down."
The state report is compiled from monthly reports supplied by each municipality.