Violent crime decreases 7 percent in NJ

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - September 22, 2008 Attorney General Anne Milgram's office says overall crime decreased by four percent in 2007 compared to a year earlier.

There was a seven percent drop in violent crime, and murders are down 11 percent statewide.

Domestic violence, bias related crimes and auto thefts also saw decreases.

Despite the drop in violent crime, guns were used in 68 percent of all murders. Drug and gang related crimes account for 14 percent of all murders - a 3 percent increase over a year earlier.

Milgram says innovative law enforcement strategies, tougher illegal gun charges, and prevention programs are contributing to the overall decrease in crime, but there is still work to do.

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