Homicides up

For the first time in four years, New Jersey has seen an increase in homicides. The total for 2010 was 364, up from 320 in 2009, but still fewer than the last spike — 427 — in 2006.

While officials can’t pinpoint the cause of the increase, the Star-Ledger reports most instances were the result of drug and gang disputes. Newark and Camden, the state’s most common cities for violent crime, saw 85 and 36 homicides, respectively, up from 80 and 34 in 2009.