Newark city officials say that crime is down in New Jersey’s largest city – and have the statistics to back it up.

Newark police say that the biggest takeaway from the data released on Friday is that the city reported 50 homicides in 2022 – the lowest amount in 60 years. There was a 15% drop in murders, according to police, as well as a 35% drop in shooting victims.

“To me, it means there are 15% less funerals that we have to go to,” says Mayor Ras Baraka. “Less trauma that’s happening in the city. Less victims.”

It was a thought echoed by New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin.

"What we are doing here in Newark and what we are doing in New Jersey is working,” Platkin says.

Officials say that what they are doing is working together. Local police are working with the state police, FBI, attorney general and the county sheriff and prosecutor.

But some areas of crime did rise this year. Robberies were up by 6%. Auto theft – which has been on the rise across the state – rose by 1%.

Newark Police Director Fritz Frage says the department also recovered 700 firearms and closed 78% of its homicide cases.