Crime Down in Atlantic County, New Jersey

Atlantic City's efforts to reduce violent crime are paying off, according to latest statistics

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Crime rates in Atlantic County, New Jersey, including Atlantic City, have seen a significant decline in the past year, according to data compiled by the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office. Overall offenses are down more than 11%, with violent crimes such as homicide, assault, and sex offenses down by 22.28%. Robbery, burglary, and theft are also down by 4.3%, while drug, weapons, and prostitution offenses have decreased by 4.48%. Atlantic County Sheriff Joe O'Donoghue and Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small have both made reducing crime a priority, and their efforts appear to be paying off.

Why it matters

The reduction in crime rates in Atlantic County, particularly in Atlantic City, is significant as the city has long struggled with high levels of violent and property crime. The improved statistics suggest that the coordinated efforts of law enforcement and local government are having a positive impact on public safety in the region.

The details

The crime statistics were compiled by the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office and show clear declines in early 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Atlantic City, the county's largest population center and a key driver of county-level trends due to its higher crime concentration, has seen a pronounced decrease in homicides and non-fatal shootings. Atlantic County Sheriff Joe O'Donoghue has credited the work of the Atlantic County Sheriff's Office, working closely with the Atlantic County Chiefs of Police and supported by the community, as playing a key role in the reported reduction in crime rates.

  • The crime statistics compare 2024 to 2025 data.
  • The latest data shows large reductions in crime from 2024 to 2025, according to the Uniform Crime Report by the FBI.

The players

Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office

The office that compiled the crime statistics for Atlantic County.

Atlantic County Sheriff Joe O'Donoghue

The sheriff of Atlantic County who has credited the work of the Atlantic County Sheriff's Office and local police departments for the reduction in crime rates.

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small

The mayor of Atlantic City who has made reducing violent crime in the city a priority in the past two years.

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What they’re saying

“Working closely with the Atlantic County CHIEFS OF POLICE with thier officers and supported by the community (YOU), has played a key role in the reported reduction in crime rates in Atlantic County. While there is still a lot of work to be done, the data shows as long as we continue to work together, we're heading in the right direction.”

— Atlantic County Sheriff Joe O'Donoghue (Atlantic County Sheriff's Department social media)

The takeaway

The significant reduction in crime rates in Atlantic County, including Atlantic City, demonstrates the positive impact that coordinated efforts between law enforcement and local government can have on public safety. As long as these efforts continue, the data suggests the region is heading in the right direction in terms of reducing violent and property crime.