TOMS RIVER – In the two months since the closure of the Red Carpet Inn, crime rates have dropped in Toms River’s downtown area, police said.
From October to December:
- A 50 percent reduction in reported burglaries
- A 55 percent in reported narcotics-related calls
- A 12.5 percent reduction in reported thefts
- A 16.6 percent drop in arrests
- A 40 percent drop in reported assaults
“The largest decline occurred in disorderly persons’ incidents, which dropped from 13 to 1 or 92 percent,” Toms River Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher said.
Officers have responded to more than 750 incidents at or around the Inn since 2015, according to police records.
“This reveals a clear correlation between increased crime and safety concerns driven by the motel’s operation. Since the closure of the Red Carpet Inn, statistics show that crime in the entire neighborhood came down,” Kelaher added.
“The police department worked closely with township officials and the recently created Quality of Life Task Force to identify and address pressing issues facing our community. The Red Carpet initiative is a result of great teamwork and cooperation by all involved,” Toms River Police Chief Mitch Little said. “We look forward to a revitalization of our downtown area.”
“In order for our downtown businesses to grow and prosper, the public must feel safe to come down and enjoy all that our downtown has to offer. The purchase of the Red Carpet Inn by the Township, and the resulting significant decline in criminal activity, demonstrates the Township’s commitment to the revitalization of our downtown,” Councilman Terrance Turnbach said. Ward 4, his area, includes the downtown.
The township purchased the Inn back in October.
The Inn is slated for demolition.
