Newark Heights neighborhood safe? archived

I don't know what the statistics are, but I've lived in Maplewood for over 25 years and have no personal sense of a rise in crime here. The statistics do ebb and flow, but we definitely feel safe, with no security system, just locks on the doors. The only crimes we have personally experienced have been stolen bicycles (from garages with the doors mistakenly left open) so we now keep our bikes in the basement.

I am in Millburn and look what happened here......

http://millburn.patch.com/articles/woman-viciously-beaten-in-home-invasion-police-say

You really aren't completely safe anywhere these days. Folks just don't have any regard for life or humanity. Where is the mother who raised this man?

Agree. Forget being blindly safe anywhere. Move in and do your best to be aware and kind and thats the best you can do.

Sorry, you're catching us all at the wrong moment. Welcome though.

sac said:

I don't know what the statistics are, but I've lived in Maplewood for over 25 years and have no personal sense of a rise in crime here. The statistics do ebb and flow, but we definitely feel safe, with no security system, just locks on the doors. The only crimes we have personally experienced have been stolen bicycles (from garages with the doors mistakenly left open) so we now keep our bikes in the basement.

Same here.

Wow, @scotland. I know many of us are trying to process that incident, but way to crush on the OP. I understand the point you are trying to make, that even in the "best" neighborhoods, one can be a victim. Just don't think it needs to be here, in this thread. it's not helpful to the OP.

Maplewood Crime Rate Report

http://www.cityrating.com/crime-statistics/new-jersey/maplewood-township.html#.UcnZzWt5mSM

I live 1-1/2 blocks east of Boyden, so I can tell you that you're not at the border to Irvington. I think the neighborhood has gotten safer over the 20 years my family has lived here. The Milo Borden Park playground will be great for you and your baby, as a gathering place for families with very young kids.

We are not far either and we feel it is very safe. Just make sure you lock your car door.

Just for everybody's information, there is no section of M'wood that is known as Newark Heights, and probably never has been. Although someone on another thread claimed otherwise, the only clue I can find is that Google and other internet maps (who don't rely on the professional cartographers of yore) mistook for a neighborhood the designation of the terminus of the now-defunct freight-only railroad (which also never got around to building any type of structure there -- it was only a siding) that was behind Wooley Fuel, bounded by Boyden, Tuscan, and Burnett. If there was ever actually a subdivision by that name, it would have been south of Springfield Ave., and the name never caught on in general usage. As for internet maps, I have seen some that placed the Vauxhall section in Newstead and South Orange in the northern reaches of West Orange. Real estate agents who have less knowledge about the area than they claim often rely on these inaccurate maps.

Thats not really true chopin. A simple google search will bring you to the parameters of "Newark Hts Maplewood"

We're another family who moved from Brooklyn 18+ years ago. At first, we were really unnerved by the awesome friendliness of people here. Really.

Welcome to Maplewood! You asked for home security recommendations -- we're very happy with our home security company, Metro Alarm. They're local, and the owner (Osvaldo) is very helpful and responsive. http://www.metroalarm.com/ Unexpected benefit of the home security system is that it lets us know if the power goes out (and we're not home, obviously) -- as well as when the power is restored.

http://forum.maplewoodonline.com/discussion/97222/newark-heights-neighborhood-safe#Item_11

@boomie - are you trying to mess with us now?

The straight answer is maybe. I like the area and yes, there have been breakins, including the little deli on the corner, but several friends live in that area and they like it enough.

Oops sorry! Meant this

http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/nj/maplewood/newark-heights/

Who knew?

Someone somewhere on MOL linked copies of old maps awhile back and I do recall that the area was labeled Newark Heights on them.

If that is Newark Heights, be assured that most of that neighborhood is not considered next to Irvington. But as far as naming neighborhoods goes, Newark Heights isn't a name most of us would recognize. And, I always think of west of Boyden as a very desirable area. As someone else said earlier, burglaries kind of ebb and flow.

What area of Brooklyn are you moving from?

I really know nothing about Brooklyn, but my totally uninformed impression would lead me to be more worried about safety there than here.

I also live a few blocks from where you are buying, but on the other side of Boyden. NO ONE has actually called it Newark Heights in the decades I've lived here. Agree with knak that it is generally safer than when we first moved here. Nice mix of folks. Modest but well-kept homes. A block west of Boyden is NOT next to Irvington, btw. Where I live IS near Irvington but it is quite possibly the best corner of Irvington in terms of safety and stability, etc. Lots of former Brooklynites etc in the area. Obviously there IS the potential for serious and even vicious crime everywhere as the Millburn story illustrates all too well. But this is a very decent neighborhood in a lovely town. It is a wonderful place to raise a family, for so many reasons. Welcome to the neighborhood! (Need a sitter? I've got a really good one living under my roof.)

krnl said:

But as far as naming neighborhoods goes, Newark Heights isn't a name most of us would recognize.

I agree with this. I usually name my neighborhood by what grade school we are nearest.

Thanks all for the feedback, really helpful. We're moving from Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn - nice, family oriented part of town. Of course there's crime here, but since I live in an apartment building with people I trust surrounding me, I feel safe. The concept of living in a house is going to be a big shift and my worried brain tends to think of the potential bad stuff (break ins) more than the good (space! lovely town! POOOOOL.) The Millburn incident is shocking and terrifying. I pray that's an anomaly and they catch the mofo.

Metro Alarms - we will check out!

Oh, and I only thought it was Newark Heights from the map. My broker didn't tell me that.

@nakaille I'd love to get a sitter recc

I moved from Windsor Terrace in the early 90s & bought a house on Elmwood on the west border of Winchester Gardens. It was a great neighborhood & I made wonderful friends. I moved 2 years ago & miss the people quite a bit. Nothing wrong with the town; my job relocated me.

mollyd, when you get here let me know and I will supply contact info to you privately for my 16 year old. Again, welcome. Smart move.

I've lived here 30 years, once lived near Elmwood and Boyden and this thread is the first time I've ever seen the name "Newark Heights". I thought this thread was going to be about a neighborhood in Newark. The Neighborhood in question isn't even near Newark.

But if he is watching I would ask Art Christenson (AJC) whose family has owned Le Saisons on Elmwood just west of Boyden for over 60 years.

Considering the origins of many of our residents we should have a neighborhood called Brooklyn Heights.

Maybe it should be called Post-Brooklyn Heights.

Le Saisons is actually named in that map I posted!

I grew up on Brookwood Dr and never heard it called this either but someone has devised the moniker and now Im super curious to learn the origins.

The area west of Boyden is really nice. You are also close to Underhill Field but not so close that traffic will be a problem. There's quite a lot within walking distance, including Maplecrest Park as well as Milo Borden.