(01/21/08) NEWARK ? TheRock appears to have rolled over some ofthe crime that has plagued Newarkin the past.Thestate-of-the-art PrudentialCenterfalls within four policeprecincts in the city of Newark. Since its opening inOctober through the endof last year, there have been just two robberies. Even better, there were no assaults or murdersin that same period of time. Ten auto-related crimes have also beenreported.An increasedpolice presence around the arena has likelycontributed to the drop in crime. Foropening night, Deputy Police Chief Daniel Zieser says his departmentdeployed85 officers and two mobile command units around The Rock. However, he says thatamount of personnelappears to have been a case of overkill.Now, they use 55 officers and onemobile command center fora sellout event and less fora non-selloutevent.??wegauge our police presence based on the attendance,?says Zieser.The low crimenumbers aren?t lost on those who attend eventsat The Rock. Manyfans interviewed by News 12 New Jerseysay despite earlyapprehensions about security around the arena, they now feel perfectlysafecoming to the city.Despite better numbers, all is notperfect. Two peoplewere shot last Monday just twoblocks from the arena on a non-event night. One of the victims had previously been arrested for drugpossession onthe same street corner.Police admitthe issue of drugs around The Rock is anongoing issue. However,they say theoverall safety around the arena is much better.Relatedinformation:The Rock gets rolling