Montclair is often seen as one of New Jersey’s more desirable places to live, but like any community, it isn’t immune to crime. Recent conversations with residents, local law enforcement, and security experts reveal a nuanced picture: while violent crime remains relatively low, property crimes like home burglaries and car thefts have surged—and so have residents’ anxieties.
A Safe Town, But Not Without Risks
Data from NeighborhoodScout.com shows Montclair is safer than approximately 63% of U.S. cities, with violent crime rates on par with the national average. The chance of becoming a victim of violent crime here is about 1 in 865. Property crime, however, tells a different story. The odds of facing a burglary, larceny, or car theft are about 1 in 205—lower than some neighboring towns like Bloomfield and West Orange, but still enough to create concern.
And concern is exactly what many residents are feeling. On social media, in casual conversations, and now through platforms like The Montclair Pod, locals are trading stories about smash-and-grab break-ins at businesses, stolen vehicles from driveways, and frightening home invasions—some even occurring when people are home.
One resident shared his chilling experience of being woken up by an alarm at 3 a.m., only to hear intruders downstairs. “It feels like we’re living under siege in our own home,” he said, describing the lasting emotional impact.
Property Crime: The Biggest Concern
According to Captain James Lalor and Lieutenant Tyrone Williams Jr. of the Montclair Police Department, property crimes—not violent offenses—are Montclair’s primary safety challenge. “We don’t see the violent crime as much as other towns do,” Lalor said. “We are more or less focused on burglaries to houses and cars.”…