Summer Crime Wave Begins

A man was mugged by teens in Van Vorst Park, notes the Journal, beginning what might very well be a repeat of last year's crime wave. Late last spring, a sudden spurt of muggings and car break-ins sparked outrage. The gentrified downtown criticized the Jersey City police department for failing to provide a presence in neighborhoods with million dollar brownstones. After a protest rally in the park, uniformed officers made appearances in the downtown neighborhood for several nights to quell concerns. Reported crimes subsided in the fall.