Among the 216 similar suburban communities around the state, Rumson had the 19th-lowest crime rate in 1996. There were fewer than 10 major crimes per 1,000 residents here that year. Hoffman, who has been with the borough police department for 31 years, the last six as chief, attributes the borough's safety to what he calls a family-oriented community with no influx of people in the summer months. Will Statter has lived in the borough and has owned the Rumson Pharmacy on River Road for 24 years. You're pretty isolated.
People have to travel a distance to get here to be able to cause a problem.
Another longtime Rumson resident agreed, saying most problems are minor offenses, such as vandalism of mailboxes and underage drinking. The longtime borough resident, who asked not to be named, said that despite sporadic burglaries in his neighborhood, he feels safe. Still, burglaries hit the borough in waves and police often send out alerts informing residents to be on the lookout. Police also drive by certain homes when families leave for vacation and neighbors watch each other's homes, Hoffman said. Kind of a small town with a twist, Rumson is larger than Red Bank, Little Silver and Fair Haven put together.