Violent crime in Camden has dropped to its lowest level in more than 50 years: police

Camden school mourns loss of standout football player
Camden detectives are investigating after they say 16-year-old Xyere Brooks was fatally shot on Friday, June 6.
CAMDEN - Police in one of New Jersey's most troubled cities say violent and non-violent crimes have hit their lowest levels in more than 50 years.
Through the first six months of 2025, police say total crime in Camden is down 13% and violent crimes have dropped by 12% from this point last year.
There were 445 violent crimes recorded in the first half of the year, which police say is one of the best statistical half-year totals in more than 50 years.
"Many other places are struggling to get a handle on violent crime while we continue to see tangible results here in Camden City," Camden County Board of Commissioners Director Louis Cappelli Jr. said.
By the numbers:
The Camden County Police Department shared the improved crime data on Thursday, touting declining instances of both violent and non-violent crimes in the city.
Through the first six months of 2025, police say total crime in Camden is down 13% and violent crimes have dropped by 12% from this point last year.
They added that homicides have dropped another 30% from July 2024, and instances of aggravated assault with a firearm have dropped 31%.
"This is the lowest number of violent crimes recorded in the first six months of 2025, making this one of the best statistical half-year totals in the last 50 years," police said.
Dating back to 2012, when there were nearly 1,000 violent crimes recorded in Camden, police say there is a 55% drop in violent crime over the last 13 years.
What they're saying:
Camden County Board of Commissioners Director Louis Cappelli Jr. called the historic crime numbers "an incredible thing to watch unfold."
"Many other places are struggling to get a handle on violent crime while we continue to see tangible results here in Camden City," he said.
Camden Police Chief Gabriel Rodriguez said the improved crime numbers are a credit to the department's community initiatives.
"I believe these numbers are a direct reflection of the bridges we continue to build with the residents and our stakeholders to make Camden a stronger city," he said.