Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose announce that members of the Newark Police Division have recovered 90 illegal guns since September 1st in the war against the influx of illegal firearms into our region.
“The recent uptick in violence in Newark is the result of an influx of illegal handguns," Mayor Ras J. Baraka said. "But those individuals committing senseless violence in our community are hereby put on notice that we are putting our best investigative talent to work in reducing this trend. Our residents deserve to live and raise their families in peace and safety. Our city will not be ravaged by individuals bent on the destruction of life and property."
“We have some of the toughest gun laws in the nation, but illegal guns continue to plague some New Jersey communities,” Director Ambrose said. “I’m grateful for our officers’ tireless and relentless work towards keeping our residents safe. Of the 90 illegal handguns recovered since September 1st, 17 were used in other shootings and homicides, and 65 have resulted in arrests. That’s almost 15 guns a week that have been removed from our streets in the past two months without any deadly use of force,” Director Ambrose explained.
Director Ambrose reports that Newark Police have recovered 363 illegal firearms this year, with 243 of those guns resulting in arrests.
Overall crime in the City of Newark is down 8 percent and homicides remain at the lowest rate in 60 years.