The majority of Garden State schools are safe, with more than 70 percent reporting five or less incidents of violence, vandalism and substance abuse in the 2004-2005 school year, according to an annual report recently released by the state Department of Education.

The New Jersey Department of Education collects data from the state’s approximately 2,400 public and charter schools through its Electronic Violence and Vandalism Reporting System. Detailed information about incidents such as trespassing, theft and major behavioral problems are logged, and then submitted to the Legislature for its committees to review.

Total incidents by the numbers:

• 18,409 reported in 2004-2005.
  
  
• 20,207 reported in 2003-2004.
  
  
• 22,186 reported in 2002-2003.