Paterson police report sharp drop in shootings, other crimes this summer
Shooting victims fell from 11 to three from June through August compared with the same period last year, according to statistics released by the department.
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Paterson police are reporting a sharp drop in shootings and several other major crime categories this summer.
From June through August, three people were shot in Paterson, compared with 11 during the same period last year — a 73% drop. Shooting incidents also fell from 11 to three, while the number of homicides dropped from four to one.
Police Director Jerry Speziale says the department used crime data to determine where officers should be deployed.
“Every week we have a command staff meeting to talk about numbers,” Speziale said. “Then every week, we’ll have a deployment meeting to talk about where we’re going to deploy based on data.”
Police also used technology to monitor and respond to crime, while the city held community events and safe spaces throughout the summer.
Mayor Andre Sayegh says public safety goes beyond policing.
He points to programs addressing addiction, re-entry into society and poverty, including a program that has helped about 900 people receive treatment for addiction.
Sayegh also says getting guns off the streets has been a priority.
“We’ve seized on average every year since I became mayor, over 200 guns a year,” Sayegh said.
Other crimes also declined this summer. Robberies fell 27%, from 102 to 74, while burglaries dropped 23%, from 281 to 217. Thefts fell 13% and aggravated assaults dropped 6%.
The department’s year-to-date numbers also show total reported crime in the categories it tracks was down 16% through Aug. 30 compared with the same period in 2025. Robberies were down 40%, burglaries 14%, auto thefts 16% and murders 31%.
Still, city officials say there is more work to do.
Sayegh and Speziale say the goal is to continue driving violent crime down and keep building on the progress reported this summer.
