In a letter to the editor, Jersey City mayoral candidate Jim McGreevey explains why the city should bring back CompState date, which he has committed to do if elected.
Dear Director Shea,
During my Listening and Walking tours throughout the city, I heard from many residents concerned about crime.
Based on residents’ experience, package thefts are worse than before, car breaking is continuous, and small business owners have expressed a loss of revenue due to a high number of shopliftings.
Residents’ clear perception and experience is that crime has become worse than during the last several years.
In the interests of transparency and knowledge, I respectfully ask you, Public Safety Director, and Jersey City to release CompStat numbers for violent, property, and quality-of-life offenses that pose significant safety concerns.
Jersey City citizens and families understandably have a “right to know” what criminal activity is occurring in their neighborhood.
The statistics should include violent crimes such as sexual assaults, robberies, armed robberies, and carjackings, as well as property crimes like auto burglaries, residential and commercial burglaries, stolen vehicles, criminal mischief, thefts (including thefts from vehicles), and shoplifting.
As NYPD publishes weekly CompStat numbers, as mayor, I would do the same.
Thank you for your service and anticipated cooperation.
Best,
Jim McGreevey
