But residents might be surprised to learn that Deal had the ninth-highest major crime rate in the county in 1996. Among the 216 suburban towns in the state, Deal ranked 23rd highest in major crimes, mostly thefts, in 1996, the latest year for which FBI crime rates are available.
Major crimes are murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and theft.
Deal has not had a murder since at least 1981 or a robbery since 1992, according to FBI crime data. The town's rate for solving crime is about average compared with the other municipalities in the county. Police Chief Michael J. Sylvester declined to be interviewed or photographed for this story. Mayor Henry I. Franco said crime wasn't an issue worth discussing. We have no reason to focus on such incidents.