If you look at Ohio crime statistics, it appears that Newark has an arson problem.  In 2005, the latest year for which statistics are available, Newark ranks 4th from the highest in frequency of Arson per 1,000 population, among cities with a population of 40,000 or more.  Newark is beat in Arsons per 1,000 only by Toledo, Youngstown and Cleveland.

Here are the rankings for Newark among the 40,000 or greater cities for 2004 and 2005:

Crime	2004 Ranking		2005 Ranking
	(28 Cities)		(27 Cities)
Violent Crimes per/1000	20		23
Murder/Manslaughter/1000	15		None
Forced Rape/1000	12		11
Robbery/1000	17		16
Aggravated Assault/1000	24		19
Property Crimes/1000	15		13
Burglary/1000	15		13
Larceny/1000	11		10
Motor Vehicle Thefts/1000	20		16
Arson/1000	7		4

 
Between 2004 and 2005, there also appears to be some creep in the wrong direction.  In Aggravated Assaults we went from 24th to 19th.  In Motor Vehicle Thefts, we increased from 20th to 16th.

I try to resist the urge to interpret increased reporting on crimes as an actual increase in crime and I understand that two years does not make a trend, but I think most police officers would agree if asked whether or not they are seeing an increase in crime in Newark.

If you look at the key issues facing this city (education, roads and infrastructure, crime, economic development, etc.) I think crime would have to rank either first or second.

Here is the link to the 2004 statistics.

Here is the link to the 2005 statistics.