The annual State Uniform Crime Report shows a decline in violent crimes — murder, rape, assault, robbery — in Paterson: in 2010 there were 1,568 recorded violent incidents; in 2011 there were 1,493 violent crimes — this marks a 5 percent decline in violent crimes in the city.

The rate is nothing to celebrate with only 75 less violent incidents, however it is good news considering there was a massive lay-off of police officers in 2011 (125 officers were  laid off). One would assume the crime rate would have gone up as a result, but this week’s report reads otherwise.

Non-violent crimes in that same period increased from 4,524 in 2010 to 4,735 in 2011: an increase of four percent.

New Jersey as a whole saw a three percent increase in crime while violent crime remained unchanged from the previous year.