NJ Spotlight has created an interactive map using the recently released 2011 Uniform Crime Report that plots the total crime rate per 1,000 people for seven index crimes (four violent -- murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault -- and three non-violent -- burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft).

As required by statute, all law enforcement agencies in the state submit monthly and annual summary crime reports to the Uniform Crime Reporting Program, under the NJ State Police.

Information about 2012 will be released in December 2013. 

Stafford Township

Stafford Township's total crime index saw a slight uptick from 422 in 2010 to 486 in 2011. Although instances of violent crime fell from 15 in 2010 to 12 in 2011, nonviolent crime increased slightly from 407 in 2010 to 474 in 2011. 

See page 170 of the 2011 Uniform Crime Report for more details about Stafford Township. 

Barnegat Township

Barnegat Township's total crime index dropped from 277 in 2010 to 247 in 2011. Violent crime also dropped slightly, from 33 in 2010 to 30 in 2011, as did nonviolent crime, dropping from 244 to 217.

For more information about Barnegat's 2011 Uniform Crime Report, see page 150 of the 2011 Uniform Crime Report. 

New Jersey

Crime in New Jersey rose by 3 percent in 2011, with the increase attributed to a 3 percent jump in non-violent crimes.

There were 27, 173 violent crimes reported in 2011, a decrease of less than one half of one percent compared to the violent crimes of 2010. Nationwide, violent crime decreased by 4 percent. 

The number of burglaries across the state jumped by 11 percent, to a high not seen since 2003. Read more about the state Uniform Crime Report.