Legislation enacted in 1978 and 1982 in New Jersey stipulated that a uniform recordkeeping system be established to gather information on reported offenses against persons, school buildings, and property. This report details the extent of violence and vandalism in the public schools of the state for the first 6 months of 1983. Of 593 districts, 516 reported having experienced incidents of violence and vandalism. The number of incidents, the number of districts reporting an occurrence in a prescribed category of offense, and the cost incurred as a result of the offense are shown in two tables. Although differences in reporting procedures existed, the data on the incidents of violence and vandalism for the first 6 months of 1980 and 1981 are compared in another table. Other tables list actions taken by districts regarding the offenses and recommendations made by districts to reduce or eliminate violence and vandalism occurrences. Conclusions and recommendations from the State Department of Education, along with current initiatives, conclude the report. The focus of the recommendations and initiatives is on the need for developing programs in schools that help develop positive personal and social behavior patterns in students. In the appendixes are the texts of the legislation requiring the monitoring of violence in the schools, definitions, report procedures, and a directory of Regional Curriculum Services Units. (MLF)