Crime Statistics
The Newark Police Division (NPD) provides city-wide crime data as well as crime statistics for individual precincts. In addition to an analysis of the various types of crimes committed at different periods, the NPD crime reports, arrest reports and weekly, monthly and annual crime data. According to data released in 2017, the city recorded a total of 9,337 reported incidents, made up of 2,543 violent crimes and 6.794 property crimes.
With 9.02 daily crimes per 100,000 residents, the city was safer than 9% of the cities in the U.S. Its overall crime rate was also 20% higher than the national average. A further breakdown shows that larceny-theft accounted for 34% of total cases, while auto thefts, assault, and burglaries made up 25.4%, 13.6%, and 12.8% respectively. Compared to 2016, the property crime rate decreased by 23% while violent crime rose by 85%.
Police Reports and Crime Records
The Newark Police Department provides data on crime statistics, arrests, accidents, missing persons and most wanted suspects.
Who Can Obtain A Report
To obtain a report, the request must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- The applicant must be 18 years and older
- The incident must have occurred within the City of Newark
- The incident is not an emergency
Requests can be made by witnesses or victims of a crime, insurance carriers, or legal representatives of victims. Records may also be exempted if they:
- Include information that may deprive a person of a fair trial or disclose investigation techniques
- Include juvenile or victim information
- Include information that may endanger the safety of a person or witness
- Include confidential or sealed information
How to Obtain Accident Reports and Incident Reports
Accident reports and incident reports can be filed online and collected in person. Reports can be obtained for non-emergency incidents, including criminal mischief, fraud, lost property, harassment, and theft. Although complaints about non-emergency incidents can be filed online, a police report has to be physically collected within three (3) business days at:
22 Franklin Street
Annex Building
Newark, NJ 07102
The office opens between 9.30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. from Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). A government-issued photo ID is required for the report's release. In addition, the department charges a $1.50 fee for each report and $0.75 for additional copies. Only cash payments are accepted.
How to Obtain Crime Reports
Crime reports can be obtained online at no fee using the Newark crime dashboard. Although It does not include detailed information such as names of suspected criminals, information is provided about criminal incidents that occurred within the City of Newark including the type of crime, date and time, location and case number.
The NPD also provides information about suspected criminals who are currently on the run via it's Most Wanted Page. It includes details about most wanted criminals including their full names, photograph, and suspected offense. This data is regularly updated to reflect changes in information such as captured suspects.
How to Find Inmate/Jail Information
The Essex County Department of Corrections handles all information relating to jails and inmates in the City of Newark. Members of the public can find information about a particular inmate using the county's online inmate locator. To locate an inmate online, searches must be based on the subject's first and last name or the subject's booking number, permanent number or state ID.
Court Records
New Jersey offers public access to different types of court information including records from civil, criminal, family and municipal cases. Information on closed court records can be retrieved from the local courthouse where the case was filed. Requests for archived records such as records, foreclosure records, and archived divorce records, requests should be sent to the Superior Court Clerk's Office in the county. Requests can be made in-person at:
R.J. Hughes Justice Complex
Superior Court Clerk's Office
25 W. Market St.
Sixth Floor North Wing
Trenton, NJ 08611
The court opens Monday through Friday, between 8.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. Mailed requests should be sent to:
R.J. Hughes Justice Complex
Superior Court Clerk's Office
P.O. Box 971
Trenton, NJ 08625-0971
All requests should include a duly filed records request form.
Vital Records
Newark vital records are processed at the county and state level. This includes birth certificates, death certificates, and records of domestic partnership. Applicants may be restricted from obtaining certified records depending on their eligibility.
How to Obtain Divorce Records
Records of divorces that occurred on or before 2010 can be obtained from the Superior Court Clerk's Office. Certified copies are processed for a fee and include the stamped seal of the Superior Court. The certificate also includes the county, names of parties involved, docket number and date of the final judgment. Records for divorces that occurred after 2010 till date can be obtained from the Family Division of the county court where the divorce occurred.
How to Obtain Birth, Death, and Marriage Records
Birth, death and marriage records are stored by the City of Newark, Bureau of Vital Statistics. All requests should include a completed application form and required fees. Payment can be made by check or money order payable to the 'City of Newark Bureau of Vital Statistics'. Each certificate costs $25 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy of the same record. To obtain a certificate, applicants must be the person listed on the certificate or be able to prove a relationship with the person listed on the certificate.
Death and marriage records can be obtained in person or by mail. In addition to walk-in and mail requests, birth certificates can be obtained online. Detailed application requirements can also be viewed online. Same day processing is provided for walk-in requests made at:
Newark Vital Statistics
394 University Avenue
Newark, NJ 07102
The office opens Monday through Friday; between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Requests made by mail typically 2 to 3 weeks to process. However, an expedited mail service with 3-5 days processing time is also available at an extra cost. Mailed requests should include a government-issued photo ID and the applicant's current address.
