Is this the new Camden? Crime dramatically drops, officials say

Is Camden on the rise? Crime drops dramatically, officials say

Camden city officials say crime is a near 40-year low of just 17 homicides in the past year. Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen and more leaders are speaking out in celebration of the accomplishment.

CAMDEN, NJ - Crime is dropping dramatically in Camden and city officials led a gathering Tuesday in which the mayor declared Camden is on the rise.

On a cold winter’s day in Camden’s Parkside neighborhood, Kenny English, a worker in Donkey’s, a well-known cheese steak joint, is feeling better about the city. "I see the cops out here they do their job- -stop all the crime and stuff you know," he said.

English believes the key is police activity.

According to the city, crime has been steadily decreasing since May 1, 2013, when the Camden County Police Department was first formed. The crime rate is currently sitting at a 55–year low.

Here is a list of statistics provided by the city according to its most recent Uniform Crime Report (UCR,) between January 2012 and November 2024 in Camden:

Total violent crime is down by 50%.
Homicide is down by 75%
Robbery down by 76%
Rape is down by 28%
Non-violent crime down by 46%
Burglary is down by 72%.
Arson is down by 61%.
Larceny is down 48%.

Its homicide rate neared a 40-year low of just 17 homicides in the past year.

"I lived through the hard days in the 80s and 90s where you were trapped- -a prisoner of your home. I like to measure our success not just by numbers but seeing kids riding their bikes on the streets," said Chief Gabriel Rodriquez of the Camden County Police Department.

There was a celebration of Camden in police headquarters on Tuesday, complete with a crowd of community leaders who gathered to claim Camden is reborn.

Along with falling crime, they say Camden is seeing better student test scores, paved streets, improved parks and glimmering corporate headquarters drawn to this gritty town by generous tax breaks.

"Camden is now a place where residents are no longer afraid to leave their homes, no longer afraid to visit parks, no longer afraid to go to the store," said Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen.

Chevron Turner was raised in Camden. Bundled up and walking in Parkside Tuesday she said, "I feel good, safe there’s police around- -patrolling. I’m a woman so I do have to carry mace."

"Camden is witnessing generational change, and this tangible progress is taking place citywide," said Mayor Carstarphen."Thanks to the leadership of Chief Rodriguez, and the community policing efforts of the Camden County Police Department, the quality of life citywide continues to dramatically improve. Public safety is at the heart of the change and is the catalysts for Camden’s transformation. The gains made in public safety are the building blocks which support economic growth, educational outcomes, investments in infrastructure, and a sustained stable financial outlook just to name a few."

Crime & Public Safety Camden