Vernon Township Claims Top Spot on New Jersey Safety Rankings for Third Consecutive Year

Vernon Township snagged the safest municipality title in New Jersey for three years straight. SafeWise, a safety and home security research publication, released the rankings. The Sussex County town led a list of 151 municipalities that filed self-reports to the FBI via the National Incident-Based Reporting System.

Police Chief Daniel B. Young gave credit to several groups working together. “Neighbors look out for neighbors, our volunteer emergency services are second to none, we have very friendly business owners, our school district is excellent, and our residents are great people,” Young said in an email to the New Jersey Herald. “It is an honor for us to be a part of such an amazing community.”

The department works on proactive patrols. They connect with other agencies. Officers crack cases and hold lawbreakers accountable when crimes occur.

“Good police work by our officers is a deterrent for people from committing crimes here,” Young said.

Young described the 2019 Operation Helping Hand as one example. The department teamed up with the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Center for Prevention and Counseling to link residents struggling with substance use disorder to treatment programs and support groups.

The chief gathers with other police departments through the Sussex County Police Chiefs Association. Meetings allow departments to swap initiatives and ideas used across the state.

About 12% of New Jersey residents reported experiencing a violent crime in the past year, dropping from 15% the year before. Yet 63% worry about violent crime. One in five residents carries some type of personal protection, with pepper spray being most common.

Bernards Township grabbed second place on the list. South River came in third, trailed by Barnegat Township in fourth and Dumont in fifth.

Hopatcong was the only other Sussex County location in the top 10, landing seventh. New Providence took sixth place, Oakland eighth, Madison ninth, and Denville 10th.

Township officials called the ranking a “direct result” of public safety investments. They promised to keep safety standards high through continued investment in training, technology, infrastructure, and preparedness.

“While we celebrate this recognition, we will not become complacent,” officials wrote in a Facebook post. “We will continue to invest in training, technology, infrastructure, and preparedness to ensure Vernon Township remains a model of safety and resilience in New Jersey.”

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