When Montclair Chief of Police David Sabagh spoke to the members of the Montclair Rotary Club on January 27, he took the opportunity to offer some good news.

As the Uniform Crime Report clearly shows, Montclair has the lowest crime rate in years.

According to Sabagh, the numbers show that Montclair has the lowest crime statistics since record keeping was officially started - back in 1967.

"The Uniform Crime Report shows that there is a 20 1/2 percent reduction in crime from the previous year, when there was a 15 percent reduction in crime," he said.

In every category but one - robbery - the numbers have declined dramatically.

So how does the Montclair Police Department - with 111 sworn officers in a town of approximately 40,000 residents - keep crime down?

It's not easy.

Although crime cannot be truly avoided at all times, the police force has become a well honed organization that has embraced modern technology.

Sabagh described how the job of all law enforcement officers has changed over the past few years.

Some of the modern accessories enjoyed by the police include computers in every police car and the accepted practice of sharing information between all levels of law enforcement.

"We have put together a great task force, and have regular meetings with the command staff, patrol officers, detectives, and others," he explained. "Information is shared. We have a talented police department and money has been put into training and technology."

But, good old fashioned police work seems to be a big part of this successful team's approach to crime solving. Sometimes, just keeping a watchful eye and paying attention to citizens' phone calls can stop a crime before it ever occurs.

"Be watchful," said Sabagh. "We love the nosy neighbors. If you ever have doubts about something, call us. We have a service oriented police department."

As per using those impressive hi-tech and instant response tools seen on CSI and other television shows,

Sabagh said there just isn't enough money to duplicate popular series' results.

"Municipal departments don't have the money to do their own DNA testing," he said, adding it has to go to a state lab, which he considers to be the best in the nation.

Here are some of the statistics from the Uniform Crime Report 2008.

CALLS FOR SERVICE: 65,475. This average was 5,455 per month - for 111 police officers!

Traffic stops totaled 12,381.

Moving violations totaled 10,701 and speeding was 1,438.

Looking to the future, this well versed police chief spoke about the ever looming state budget cuts, and how regional police departments would assist in lowering the costs for taxpayers. But don't think if this happens police officers will be fired.

"We would do this through attrition, so eventually all the officers would be in one place," he noted.