Crime falling in most categories
But murder rate up from last year

Describing crime in the stateโ€™s second largest city as being in a โ€œfreefall,โ€ Jersey Cityโ€™s mayor and senior police officials held a press conference Wednesday morning to show steep drops in most categories. Their report noted a 30.4 percent drop in robberies between 2009 and 2008, and a 15.6 percent decline in violent crimes for …

But murder rate up from last year

Supermarkets closing, and opening
Acme to leave JC/Bayonne border; Walmart and others come to area

There are at least 66 supermarkets operating in Hudson County, including 20 in Jersey City, according to the New Jersey Department of Health. Some towns stand to lose their neighborhood supermarkets in this economy, while others have recently gained larger Walmart stores. The Acme Supermarket on Garfield Avenue near the Jersey City/Bayonne border is closing …

Acme to leave JC/Bayonne border; Walmart and others come to area

Councilmanโ€™s testimony against Assemblyman
La Pelusa talks about where paychecks went

In a dramatic shift of political fortunes, Bayonne Councilman Gary La Pelusa has become the chief witness in the stateโ€™s case against Assemblyman Anthony Chiappone, his one-time political ally. Based largely on testimony La Pelusa gave in interviews last April and to a state grand jury on Aug. 12, Chiappone and his wife, Diane, were …

La Pelusa talks about where paychecks went

National Whatever Month
Locals share how January should be commemorated

Black History Month, Womenโ€™s History Month, AIDS Awareness Month โ€“ all important commemorative months celebrated during the year by various governments, groups, and organizations. But for every reverent commemorative month, there are numerous silly and annoying ones that diminish them. March is National Text Your Neighbor Month (National Twitter Month not far behind); June is …

Locals share how January should be commemorated

Murdered womanโ€™s family may sue security companies
Downtown neighbors want answers; baby still hospitalized

More than a month has passed since downtown Jersey City resident Jacqueline Reyes was stabbed to death in her apartment in the Paulus Hook Towers. Neighbors in the building are still asking how the alleged killer could have evaded security to get in, and her familyโ€™s lawyer said they may sue the security company at …

Downtown neighbors want answers; baby still hospitalized

Making old bicycles into new ones
Downtown shop starts bike donation program for needy

Grove Street Bicycles opened in downtown Jersey City last March and has since offered services such as bike sales, repairs, and bicycle maintenance classes. Add another activity to their already busy agenda: fixing up old bikes for a good cause. The store, located at 365 Grove St., started a used bike donation program this month. …

Downtown shop starts bike donation program for needy

NFL star posts bail for JC felon
Local rapper was arrested in connection with December homicide

Bayonne native Kenny Britt, now a star wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans, came under scrutiny last week after posting bail for a local rap artist who was recently arrested in connection with a Jersey City murder. The incident came just two days after the 21-year-old Britt, who was the first Rutgers University product to …

Local rapper was arrested in connection with December homicide

Young men under siege in Jersey City
Possible โ€˜revenge killingsโ€™ continue with two murders in 24 hours

Is crime out of control in Jersey City, and are rival gangs making the situation worse with so-called โ€œrevenge killingsโ€? In 2009, out of 28 murders in the city, at least 10 claimed male victims under the age of 25. Last year, Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said some of the shootings may have been …

Possible โ€˜revenge killingsโ€™ continue with two murders in 24 hours