POLICE LAYOFFS SPIKE CRIME RATE IN NEWARK

A new report says that police layoffs can directly lead to an increased crime rate. The Star-Ledger reports that overall crime between Jan. 1 and April 17 has increased 21 percent compared to the same time last year. Meanwhile homicides have increased 71 percent in that time frame. Locally, Wildwood is looking at laying off over 20 people in the police and fire departments combined. The city plans on hiring a number of Class 2’s for the summer, but it is unclear how this will impact overall crime in the city.