Salem, Essex County Massachusetts Crime Index
According to the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) reports, in Massachusetts, Salem city recorded 2,379 total crimes committed in 2019. This data represents a 1.23% increase from the previous year. The city had a 31% clearance rate and an estimated crime rate of 5,476 crimes per 100,000 population. Salem’s law enforcement agencies recorded 810 crimes against persons, 1401 crimes against property, and 168 crimes against society including
- 105 violent crimes (21.64% less than the previous year)
- Murder. There were no reports of murder in Salem City in 2019 and 2018
- Rape, 11 rape incidents reported, six more than in 2018 (a 54.5% surge)
- Robbery, 21 robberies, just one short of the previous year.
- Aggravated Assaults, 73 aggravated assaults were reported, representing about a 22% increase when compared with 2018.
- 762 property crimes (9.6% decrease from the past year)
- Burglary, 87 cases in 2019, a 12% decline from the 2018 data
- Larceny, 622 larcenies in 2019, representing an 11% decline from the past year.
- Motor vehicle thefts, 47 motor vehicle thefts, seven more than the previous year
- Arson, there were six cases of arson recorded in 2019. The city did not record any arson in 2018
Crime against society accounted for about 7% of the total count.
- Traffic Crime -
- DUI/OUI/OWI/DWI - There were 73 OUI arrests in 2019, the same number recorded in 2018.
Salem District Court
The Salem District Court handles criminal, civil, juvenile, housing, mental health, and other cases. Criminal cases heard in Salem District Court include felony crimes with a potential five-year jail sentence, other categories of felonies, and preliminary hearings for all felonies including lesser offense-type felonies. The court also hears most misdemeanor cases and violations of municipal ordinances, like traffic offenses. The Salem District courthouse is at
56 Federal Street
Salem, MA 01970
Phone 1: (978) 744-1167 (Clerk’s Office)
Phone 2: (978) 744-2056 (Probation Department)
Email: cmsalemdc@jud.state.ma.us
The Court opens on Weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
As presented by the Massachusetts District Court statistics for total fillings in 2020, 9,011 cases were brought before the court consisting of
- 2,394 criminal cases accounting for 2,286 criminal defense cases and 108 search warrants issued.
- 3,519 civil cases, listed as 680 regular civil appeal cases, 1,677 small claims, 47 supplementary matters, 71 summary processes, 622 restraining orders, 230 mental health appeals, 76 Civil Motor Vehicle Infractions, 96 admin warrants, 18 admin appeals, and 2 miscellaneous cases.
- 3,098 scheduled magistrate hearings stemming from 1,401 scheduled Civil Motor Vehicle Infractions, 13 Non-Motor Vehicle Infractions, and 1,684 show causes.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Salem District court conducts most of its activities virtually through emails, telephone, and videoconferencing. Parties may schedule an in-person visit as necessary. All court visitors are required to adhere to measures provided by the Massachusetts Department of Health.
Northeast Housing Court - Salem Session
The Northeast Housing Court - Salem Session has jurisdiction over court cases concerning health, welfare, and real property disputes, state and municipal law violations like those involving building and sanitation codes, and public safety. The Salem sessions may also handle some criminal and civil cases at
J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center
56 Federal Street
Salem, MA 01970
Phone: (978) 825-4920
Email: NortheastHousingCourt@jud.state.ma.us
The Court opens on Weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Northeast Housing Court recorded 5,492 case entries and disposed of 5,480 cases according to statistics recorded in 2020. The court currently operates virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, some services may require in-person visits to the courthouse, and visitors are required to follow all COVID-19 protocols before visiting the courthouse and during court sessions.
Salem Juvenile Court
Salem Juvenile Court has general jurisdiction over child protection, termination of parental rights, adult criminal cases involving underage individuals, guardianship, juvenile delinquencies, and adoption.
Salem Juvenile Court
J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center
56 Federal Street
Salem, MA 01970
Phone: (978) 745-9660 ext. 1
Phone 2: (978) 745-9601 ext. 2
Email: essex-jccallctr@jud.state.ma.us
The Court opens on Mondays to Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
According to Massachusetts Juvenile Court statistics for total filings in 2020, the Salem Juvenile Court received 3,473 case filings including 52 adoption cases, 1 adult criminal case, 1,282 applications for complaints, 346 entries for Child care and Protection, 563 entries for children requiring assistance, four civil contempt cases, 945 delinquency, two failure to cause filings, 55 cases on guardianship, 66 cases on harassment, 41 cases relating to paternity and support, 9 substance abuse cases, 68 young adult permanency hearing and, 39 youthful offender entries.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic across the world, the Salem Juvenile Court runs most of its activities through email, phone, or may conduct sessions via video conference.
Essex Probate and Family Court - Salem
The Essex Probate and Family Court handles cases involving probate and family matters, domestic relations, adoption, abuse prevention, and guardianship. The court also shares jurisdiction with other Essex County trial courts for certain cases.
Essex Probate and Family Court - Salem
36 Federal Street
Salem, MA 01970
Phone: (978) 744-1020
Email: Essexcorrespondences@jud.state.ma.us
The Court opens on Mondays to Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Based on the data provided on the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court statistics for total filings in 2020, the Essex Probate and Family Court received a total of 13,991 case entries including 36.4% probate cases and 63.6% domestic cases. For the Probate, Equity, and Change of Name category, Essex Probate and Family Court received 3,163 Estate Administration entries, 450 name changes, 1,014 guardianships, 343 conservatorships, and 117 equity proposals, a total of 5,087. The Domestic Relations and Welfare category included 64 adoptions and child welfare, 165 Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, 4,405 Divorce, and Other Domestic Relations, 1,669 Contempt cases, 2,421 Modification entries, and 180 Abuse Preventions, a total of 8,904 cases in that category.
Essex Probate and Family Court limit in-person services to cases outside the scope of virtual communication. Court visits are strictly by appointment.
Essex County Superior Court - Salem
The Essex County Superior Court has general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases. Typical cases handled by the Essex County Supreme Court include civil and criminal cases beyond other trial courts’ jurisdiction, like serious felonies or any crime that holds a potential jail sentence of five years. The Essex County Supreme Court is the only court with jurisdiction over first-degree murder cases. It also handles court cases regarding civil claims worth more than $25,000, some real estate disagreements, cases seeking equitable relief, most charges filed against the State of Massachusetts and Essex County, and some litigation filed by the state or county.
Middlesex County Superior Court
200 Trade Center
2nd Floor
Woburn, MA 01801
Phone: (781) 939-2700
Mondays to Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Essex County Superior Court recorded 2,554 case entries for the fiscal year according to statistics recorded in 2020.1,438 of the recorded cases were Civil cases while 1,116 were Criminal cases (including criminal complaints, bail petitions, and youthful offender cases).
Due to the COVID?19 pandemic, the Essex County Superior Court in Salem carries out most of its operations virtually, via phone, email, or video conference. Although limited, the court still permits in-person visits as and when required. Visitation is strictly by appointment and in compliance with Massachusetts' COVID- 19 guidelines.
Salem State University
In its latest report, the Salem State University Police Department recorded 24 crimes on campus property, including five rape cases, four cases of fondling, one aggravated assault, six burglaries, five domestic violence, two dating violence, and one stalking on campus property in 2018. There were also 15 incidents in on-campus student housing facilities, including five rape offenses, three fondling cases, one aggravated assault, two burglaries, two domestic violence, two dating violence, and one stalking. The Campus Police recorded zero incidents on the off-campus property and one domestic violence on public property. There were seven arrests on campus property, three arrests on-campus student housing facilities, zero arrests on the off-campus property, and three arrests on public property.
352 Lafayette Street
Salem, MA 01970
Phone: (978) 542-6000
Email: ea@salemstate.edu
