The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office (ACPO) released countywide crime statistics showing sustained, multi-year declines in drug-related deaths, fatal traffic crashes, shootings and homicides, with figures through July 31, 2026, continuing trends seen since 2021. Prosecutor William E. Reynolds attributed the results to close coordination among Atlantic County’s municipal police departments, the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office, and the assistant prosecutors, detectives, and professional staff of the ACPO.
Lives saved: Drug deaths and traffic fatalities down sharply
Drug-related deaths in Atlantic County have fallen from 255 in 2022 to 86 for all of 2025 and stand at 24 through the first seven months of 2026 — placing the county on pace for its lowest annual total in this six-year period. Fatal accident investigations have followed a similar trajectory, down from 49 in 2021 to 16 through July 31, 2026, compared to 29 for the full 2025 calendar year.
Shootings and homicides: Fewer incidents, higher clearance rates
Non-fatal shooting incidents county-wide dropped from 45 in 2021 to just 8 through July 31, 2026, with investigators clearing 7 of those cases for an 88% clearance rate — up from 64% in 2021. In Atlantic City specifically, non-fatal shootings fell from 40 in 2021 to 5 so far in 2026, with a 100% clearance rate.
Homicide investigations show the same pattern. County-wide homicides declined from 14 in 2021 to a total of four (4) through July 31, 2026, while Atlantic City homicides fell from 11 in 2021 to just one (1) so far this year — matching the 100% clearance rate the department has posted in each of the last three years for city homicides.
Protecting victims and children
The Special Victims Unit (SVU) opened 471 cases through July 31, 2026, keeping pace with a caseload that has grown steadily from 511 cases in all of 2021 to 859 in all of 2025 — reflecting both increased staffing and resources and the unit’s continued outreach to victims. The Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit has already surpassed its full prior-year total, opening 123 cases through July compared to 84 for all of 2025.
Tactical response
The SWAT team has responded to 55 total incidents and served 28 search warrants through July 31, 2026, continuing a level of operational tempo consistent with recent years (66 incidents and 55 warrants in all of 2025).
Statistics at a glance
Note: 2026 figures reflect year-to-date data through July 31, 2026, and are not directly comparable to full prior-year totals. Source: Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, updated August 4, 2026.
Statement from Prosecutor William E. Reynolds
“These numbers reflect the work of a lot of dedicated people — the chiefs of police and officers of our municipal police departments, Sheriff Joseph O’ Donaghue and the men and women of the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office, and the assistant prosecutors, investigators and staff of the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office who show up every day to keep our residents safe. When you see drug deaths, shootings, and homicides all trending down at the same time, that is not an accident. That is the direct result of coordinated, professional law enforcement,” Reynolds said. “I want to specifically recognize our municipal police chiefs for their leadership. They set the tone for their departments, and it shows in these numbers. This is a team effort.”
