Statistics released for 1997 show Monroe Township with the second lowest crime rate when compared with the other 24 municipalities in Middlesex County. The overall crime rate in Monroe Township for 1997 was 13.8 offenses per 1,000 population. Compared with other municipalities in the county, the low crime rate in Monroe is very impressive. The report summarizes crime into two categories, violent and nonviolent crime. Violent crime consists of offenses including murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.
Nonviolent crime includes burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft.
In 1997 the crime rate in Monroe Township was .5 offenses per 1,000 population for violent crime and 13.3 offenses per 1,000 population for nonviolent crime. The average crime rate for all municipalities in Middlesex County was 33.7 offenses per 1,000 population, which was 246 percent higher than Monroe Township. The average for violent crime in the County was 580 percent higher than Monroe, and the average for nonviolent crime in the County was 230 percent higher than Monroe. The facts in the annual statewide crime report are obtained from the New Jersey Uniform Crime Reporting System, which is based upon the compilation, classification and analysis of crime data reported by all New Jersey Police agencies in accordance with the regulation prescribed by law. All law enforcement agencies in the state are responsible for submitting monthly and annual summary crime reports.