214 Arrested, 54 Guns Seized in NJ Crackdown on Violent Crime

• More than 200 arrests, dozens of guns seized, and a sharp drop in shootings; NJ State Police say their crackdown is working

New Jersey State Police have been busy so far this year, making well over 200 arrests as part of a large push to crack down on crime across the state.

Officials say since the start of 2026, troopers have carried out a number of investigations and targeted operations aimed at reducing violent crime and breaking up organized criminal activity. That includes nearly two dozen coordinated efforts in cities throughout the Garden State.

More Than 200 Arrested So Far in 2026

In January and February alone, their work resulted in the arrest of 169 people, the seizure of 35 guns, the recovery of 64 stolen vehicles, the seizure of approximately 30 kilos of cocaine and heroin, and roughly $430,000 in illicit proceeds.

Continuing into the first two weeks of March, 45 more people were arrested, 19 more guns were seized, and more narcotics and stolen property were recovered.

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Officials: Shootings Down 31% Statewide

State police say these operations are already making a difference, pointing to a 31% drop in shooting victims statewide, along with noticeable declines in stolen vehicles and carjackings compared to last year.

Chris Coleman is a South Jersey native and has been a cornerstone of the Atlantic City radio market since 1998. He serves as Brand Manager for WPG Talk Radio 95.5 and afternoon on-air personality for Cat Country 107.3. A five-time President's Circle award winner and Townsquare Media's 2024 Content Creator of the Year, Chris covers news, events, and stories of interest across Southern New Jersey. Story tips: chris.coleman@townsquaremedia.com