PATERSON – Officer in Charge Isa Abbassi today announced significant strides in information sharing within the Paterson Police Department, which in turn has led to a greater number of arrests for serious crimes made in Paterson. In the year to date ending June 30, 2024, the Paterson Police Department has made 1,681 arrests, compared to 1,321 in 2023 and 1,431 in 2022 during the same time period.
The category that saw the greatest increase was warrant arrests for those who are wanted for crimes that are being investigated by PPD, with a 415% increase over the previous year’s number, and a 1,330% increase over the same period in 2022. In addition, arrests for second-degree distribution of heroin or cocaine increased 136% compared with the same period in 2023 and 55% compared with 2022; simple assault arrests went up 62% from 2023 and 51% from 2022; and aggravated assault with a weapon arrests increased 31% over 2023 and 84% over 2022.
The driving factor behind the increase of warrant arrests comes directly from enhanced information sharing and briefings within the department, giving patrol officers in communities knowledge of who is wanted for crimes within the city and the ability to recognize them and have the probable cause to make an arrest. During roll calls before a shift, officers are handed intelligence packets containing information about wanted suspects, maps of areas of the city that have seen an increase in violence, and information on who is driving violence throughout the city. Additionally, investigators address patrol officers at roll calls to share what they know about crime trends and violent individuals in the city.
“At the Paterson Police Department, we are breaking down silos and sharing information between our operational bureaus. By better informing our members, officers are able to positively identify wanted suspects and bring them to justice,” said Officer in Charge Abbassi. “Make no mistake, an increase in arrests is not the focus here. It is a byproduct of PPD honing our approach of sharing intelligence and precision policing, meaning our officers know who is driving violence, fear, and disorder in this city and have the tools available to take them off the streets.”
PPD also holds regular meetings with all executive staff members as a way to address public safety issues together in an open environment. Crime trends, tactics, and information are all discussed in a way to let all divisions of the department know what others are working on. It is an all-out effort to encourage collaboration on cases and crime trends to work toward the common goal of a safer Paterson.