In a letter to the editor, Jersey City Ward C Councilman Rich Boggiano says explains why he feels the city must release CompStat and Uniform Crime Report (UCR) statistics for 2024.
Dear Editor,
Previously, as a career police officer, and now, serving on the Jersey City Municipal Council, I am concerned as to the perceived rise in criminal activity, particularly for non-homicide-related crimes.
My neighbors in Jersey City have expressed growing concerns about rising crime, including increased package thefts, ongoing car break-ins, and revenue losses for small businesses due to shoplifting. Residents believe crime levels are worse than in previous years.
In light of these concerns and to increase the JCPD’s transparency, neighbor-advocates have asked the JCPD to release CompStat data on various crimes, including violent offenses (e.g., sexual assaults and robberies) and property crimes (e.g., burglaries and thefts).
Citizens have a right to know about the criminal activity in their neighborhoods.
In the interest of transparency, best practices, and public safety, I am requesting that Public Safety Director James Shea release the weekly CompStat numbers and the monthly Uniform Crime Report (UCR) Program statistics for CY2024.
The International Association of Chiefs of Police reports that CompStat is a “strategic control system” designed for collecting and feedback information on crime and related quality of life issues.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance explained the significance of CompStat, reporting that “CompStat holds many advantages for a law enforcement chief executive who is trying to build an effective agency that enjoys the respect of the community.
CompStat fosters accountability by holding commanders and other individuals responsible for knowing the details about the crime in their districts and devising plans to reduce crime levels.
CompStat encourages information sharing within a police department as well as between police and other agencies that can help eliminate conditions that contribute to crime.”
The NYPD provides overall citywide statistics from CompStat, which are posted on New York City’s website and updated weekly as a “best practice.”
In this way, CompStat reports to the public the number of robberies, assaults, burglaries, and other offenses within a specific area so that both officers and residents are notified of the prevalence of crime.
The UCR program offers benefits similar to those of CompStat and includes four data collections: National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), Summary Reporting System (SRS), (Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted) LEOKA, and Hate Crime Statistics.
It publishes annual reports, a semiannual summary report each winter, and special compilations on topics like cargo theft and human trafficking. The FBI’s Crime Data Explorer tool makes UCR data more accessible to law enforcement and the public.
New York state law enforcement agencies submit monthly crime reports to DCJS. DCJS personnel review these reports for completeness and accuracy before they are added to the statewide UCR database and submitted to the FBI.
UCR monthly forms are then posted on New York State’s website for public disclosure.
The JCPD Intelligence Unit has the necessary technologically advanced equipment to assist in the Department’s objective of employing a more effective crime strategy.
JCPD must implement CompStat and UCR reporting practices to ensure officers are engaged in direct community-oriented police functions.
Following the NJPD and NY State’s models will enhance community-centric policing, increase officers’ visibility on the street, improve relationships between the community and police, and inform the concerned communities regarding crime in their neighborhoods.
Rich Boggiano
Jersey City Ward C Councilman
