Newark Murder-Free In March: Zero Homicides In Newark, New Jersey, For First Full Month Since 1944

The city of Newark, New Jersey has achieved something that has eluded it for more than 40 years. Police logged zero homicides during the entire month of March, according to The Star-Ledger.

It's Newark's first murder-free month since 1966, reports the Ledger:

Police Director Garry McCarthy said he hopes to best a 43-day period from March to April of 2008, the longest span of time without a slaying in the city since 1961. 10 homicides have occurred in Newark since January 1st, and none have taken place in the South Ward, long believed to be Newark's most dangerous section.

The AP reports that although 10 people were murdered in the first quarter of 2010, a figure that's identical to the number of homicides over the same period of time in 2009, the count is Newark's second-lowest since 1941. Newark police recorded 77 homicides in 2009.

Mayor Cory Booker posted updates about the city's peaceful accomplishment in a series of entries on both Facebook and Twitter. As midnight approached Wednesday, Booker took pride in his administration. "We continue to set public safety records in our city. Thank you all for being a part of our progress."