The Trenton Times published the following article on October 9, 2013. To read the full article, click here.

Hamilton officials attribute drop in crime to having more officers on patrol

By Mike Davis/The Times 
on October 09, 2013 at 8:51 PM, updated October 09, 2013 at 8:52 PM

HAMILTON — Township officials are touting a drop in overall crime numbers they attribute to police department changes that have put more officers on patrol.

Mayor Kelly Yaede said today that overall crime was down 3.65 percent in the first nine months of 2013 compared to the same period last year, citing the police division’s Uniform Crime Report statistics.

“The residents are the eyes and ears of the police department, and it is the partnership with the residents and our fine police officers that helps us keep Hamilton Township safe,” Yaede said during a press conference at police headquarters.

The event was held as challengers in next month’s council and mayoral elections have raised concerns over a series of shootings in recent weeks and called for revival of the council’s dormant Public Safety Advisory Commission. The mayor denied the press conference was a campaign event, saying she was only seeking to commend the police for their good work.

Yaede, a Republican, faces Democrat Barbara Plumeri and independent Antonio Gambino in the November election.

The township has seen 61 robberies this year, a 14 percent decrease over last year, when there were 71, the report says. Burglaries are down 3.7 percent, from 371 to 357 incidents, and larceny cases dropped 2 percent to 977.

But the statistics also show aggravated assaults soaring 39 percent, to 82 so far this year.