IF ONLY WE'D ELECTED MAYOR BOOKER PRESIDENT:

Newark records first homicide-free month in more than 40 years (James Queally, 4/01/10, The Star-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. Ten homicides have occurred in Newark since Jan. 1, and none have taken place in the South Ward, long believed to be Newark's most dangerous section.

The first-quarter homicide total is the same as last year's, and the second-lowest in Newark since 1941.