Arrests and traffic summonses were down dramatically last month, when Gov. Phil Murphy's statewide stay-at-home order due to the COVID-19 pandemic first took effect.
There has been a 43 percent decrease in the number of arrests at the Jersey Shore from February to March, and a 51 percent decrease in traffic summonses, according to State Police records.
Statewide, there has been a 40 percent drop from February to March. When compared against March 2019, there was a 36 percent decrease in arrests in March year over year, State Police records show.
Murphy's stay-at-home order was issued on March 21.
Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said if there's been any "silver lining" from the pandemic, it's that would-be criminals have been staying at home too.
"People are staying inside, there's less human-to-human interaction and less retail store activity in the area," said Gramiccioni. "By virtue of that, there's less possibility for victimization and I guess ... that's the silver lining out of what we're seeing with the COVID-19 pandemic."
In February, there were 1,829 arrests made and 4,930 traffic summonses issued across Monmouth and Ocean counties' municipalities. Since then, those numbers have dropped to 1,032 arrests made and 2,435 traffic summonses issued in March.
With the stay-at-home order in place across the state, the decrease in illegal activity makes sense, experts say: When people have nothing else to do besides sitting at home, potential criminals have fewer chances to break the law.
"I think the reality is people are not out and usually, people generally make stupid decisions when they're out," said criminal defense attorney Brendan Shur. "Whether it is getting into a fight at a bar or drinking and driving, the majority of what you see is going to slow down if people are staying at home."
It's not just the Jersey Shore that saw a drop. State Police statistics for New Jersey show a 40% decrease in arrests from February to March, from 14,196 to 8,576 arrests.
Year over year, there was a statewide 36% decrease in arrests, from 13,459 arrests in March 2019 to 8,576. according to state police records.
Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy said the decline in numbers can also be attributed to community policing and proactive policing taking a step back due to social distancing.
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There is no timetable of when Murphy will lift the social distancing order and Mastronardy credits the public with largely complying with the ban.
"Compliance has been excellent and I think it's a tribute to all of the residents throughout the state that they are complying and realizing the seriousness of this," said Mastronardy.
But he said the longer the quarantine remains in effect, the more restless the public could become.
"We're concerned, said Mastronardy. "The weather plays a role and as soon as the weather progresses, you're going to see an influx of people wanting to get outside and socialize, which means this thing may not be as compliant as we see it now."
In response to the virus, multiple department across the Jersey Shore have adjusted certain protocols, such as limiting house checks and utilizing less officers at on-scene investigations to protect their officers from COVID-19 exposure.
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In Manchester, for example, the police department have switched their protocols to having several officers from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays taking police reports over the phone, according to Police Chief Lisa Parker. Officers are taking calls that do not require evidence to be collected, an on-scene investigation to be conducted, or otherwise do not require an officer to respond to the scene.
In Monmouth County, Sheriff Shaun Golden said 911 dispatchers are asking callers about flu-like symptoms to better prepare responding officers and first aiders.
Christopher Leusner, president of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police has said that public safety will always be a priority for law enforcement. He said residents should not feel worried about departments limiting their resources, as they are only doing it to reduce the potential for exposure and keeping their officers safe.
"Residents should not feel worried. ... I'm confident that all the residents in New Jersey will be protected," said Leusner. "Police officers in this state are some of the best in the country. We've been through emergency situations before. This is when I think you see the best of what our law enforcement officers are made of and residents should not feel concerned one bit."
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Joshua Chung is the 9-5 breaking news and weather reporter. A lifelong Jersey Shore resident, he is a recent graduate of Michigan State University. Contact him at jchung@gannettnj.com, 732-557-5748 or on Twitter @Joshchunggg
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