Asbury Park has changed dramatically over the last few years. I don't have any stats on hand, but I'm originally from the area, and spent some time working for the city (a job that took me into places where my safety was very much in question), so I can assure you it's changed dramatically for the better.
Parts of it are still really tough, but it's not the kind of place you should be scared to visit, especially the downtown area around Mattison and Cookman (this is actually a great place to hang out with a lot of new business and restaurants, too. You've even got a great pub, Brick Wall, and the beach down the street). The west side of the city, closer to Neptune, is still a pretty dangerous place, but you wouldn't be going there if you went to this place.
Parts of it are still really tough, but it's not the kind of place you should be scared to visit, especially the downtown area around Mattison and Cookman (this is actually a great place to hang out with a lot of new business and restaurants, too. You've even got a great pub, Brick Wall, and the beach down the street). The west side of the city, closer to Neptune, is still a pretty dangerous place, but you wouldn't be going there if you went to this place.