Palisades Park, a prominent area with a dense Korean population in Bergen County, has long been known as a relatively safe neighborhood even late at night.

Although it is a small city with a population of around 20,000, frequent police patrols and a strong sense of community reporting have kept the rate of serious crimes low.

In particular, Broad Avenue, the center of the Korean business district, has many restaurants and shops that stay open late, creating a natural "watching effect."

This is why it is often said among Korean business owners that it is one of the few neighborhoods where you can operate without significant anxiety even at 10 or 11 PM.

However, in recent years, Palisades Park has not been completely free from the changing crime trends that have swept across Bergen County.

In the past, vehicle theft and simple shoplifting were the main issues, but recently, organized financial fraud, drug trafficking, and online scams have come to light.

In fact, in May of this year (2026), a large-scale drug organization involving a Palisades Park resident was uncovered through a joint investigation by the New Jersey prosecutor's office and federal agencies. During the operation, dozens of kilograms of drugs and approximately $520,000 in cash were seized, shocking the local community.

In the same month, a 70-year-old man from Palisades Park was arrested on charges of attempted money laundering, fraud, and forgery. This highlights the increase in economic and organized crime occurring out of sight, rather than the street crimes residents encounter in their daily lives.

The incident that surprised residents the most was the 'stone-throwing incident involving a school bus' that occurred earlier this year. A man from Palisades Park threw stones at a school bus from an overpass on the New Jersey Turnpike, resulting in serious injuries to a young student and causing a stir throughout Bergen County.

However, police investigations classified this incident not as a result of a security gap in a specific area, but rather as an impulsive crime by an individual suffering from mental illness.

In reality, the most common crimes that Palisades Park residents encounter in their daily lives are not the violent crimes depicted in movies or news, but rather small property crimes like vehicle theft.

Local police cite the most common victim cases as those involving unlocked vehicles or leaving bags, laptops, wallets, and cash visibly inside the car.

Particularly in parking lots around the Broad Avenue business district or in residential areas with dense apartment complexes, thefts targeting vehicles occasionally occur late at night, so basic caution is necessary. In fact, this is not just an issue for Palisades Park, but a common type of crime in most suburban cities across the United States.

That said, the atmosphere is not one of fear among residents. Rather, when you hear from actual residents, many describe it as a neighborhood where you can walk around relatively safely even at night. This is due to the presence of many Korean families, with schools, churches, banks, supermarkets, and restaurants located close together, fostering a natural environment where neighbors look out for one another.

As a result, among Korean families looking for homes in Bergen County, Palisades Park is consistently listed as a popular area alongside Fort Lee and Tenafly. It is regarded as having a relatively balanced evaluation in terms of educational environment, convenience, and safety.

Of course, in the U.S., the term 'safe neighborhood' does not mean there is no crime at all. Basic safety rules, such as not walking alone in isolated areas late at night, not leaving valuables in vehicles, and being aware of your surroundings when using ATMs, are necessary everywhere.

Overall, Palisades Park is still considered a relatively safe city in New Jersey. Recent incidents reported in the media have mostly involved special cases like drug investigations or financial fraud, rather than violent crimes that residents are likely to encounter on the streets.

This is why I believe Palisades Park is often regarded as a preferred residential area for Korean families concerned about their children's education.