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The basics:

• Camden recorded 12 homicides in 2025 — the city’s lowest total since 1985
• Homicides down 82% since 2012, following creation of Camden County police force
• Overall violent crime fell 6% year over year, with major drops in assaults and robberies
• Officials credit community-based policing, social service partnerships for the gains

In 2025, Camden recorded its lowest homicide total since 1985. The milestone continues a trend of declining violent and overall crime, which city officials attribute to community-based policing and expanded social services.

The Camden County Police Department reported 12 homicides in 2025, a 29% drop from 17 in 2024. It follows the city’s first homicide-free summer in 50 years. Since 2012, homicides in Camden have fallen 82%.

It is a remarkable watershed for a city once regarded as one of the most dangerous in America. And one that has led to a safer city and increased economic development.

In 2013, a county-based police force was established and replaced the Camden City’s municipal police department.

Last year, overall violent crime declined 6% versus 2024, including a 32% reduction in sexual assaults and a 12% drop in robberies. Meanwhile, total crime fell 2% year over year.

The city logged 3,120 total crimes in 2025, down from 6,108 in 2012 — the final year of the former police department. That represents a 49% reduction in overall crime and a 53% decrease in violent crime since the Camden County Police Department’s establishment.

Community first

“When we started this journey almost 13 years ago it would have been hard for me to believe the amount of progress the men and women of this department have made,” said Louis Cappelli Jr., director of the Camden County Board of Commissioners. “I was telling the chief not long ago that a homicide-free summer would have been a pipe dream for us at the time.

“That said, we still have a ton of work to do, and we all know that one homicide is too many in the city.”

Chief Gabriel Rodriguez stressed the importance of policing through prioritizing the community and residents.

“For all the work our officers have done over 2025, I want to thank them, I also want to thank our community and our partners for trusting us and working closely with us,” said Rodriguez. “We don’t take the bonds we have created for granted and we will continue to keep making deposits into our neighborhoods.

“2025 has a lot of bright spots, but this is no time to rest on our laurels, this needs to be a time where we double down on our commitments and continue to serve our community like never before.”

The department highlighted several initiatives it says have been highly beneficial to create a safer city, such as:

• A social worker program that pairs officers with licensed professionals to assist residents dealing with mental health issues, substance use and homelessness
• The Hopeworks truancy program, under which officers help reconnect disengaged teens with education and workforce development opportunities
• Working with the Camden County Restorative Justice Hub to provide guidance and structure for at-risk youth
• Establishing long-term partnerships with local partners, including the Salvation Army, the Boys and Girls Club of Camden City, Rising Leaders, I Dare to Care, Guadalupe Family Services, the Cooper Foundation, the Sixers Youth Foundation and Mighty Writers. And also working hand-in-hand with these organizations in a variety of ways, from fighting food insecurity to organizing diaper drives
• Continuing its Village Initiative for youth and seniors
• Participating in several popular initiatives, including Bookmates, dodgeball and flag football programs, as well as providing outreach support for senior citizens in need
• Hosting neighborhood cleanups, lawn cutting and community events
• Assisting seniors in severe weather events
• Providing assistance to the city’s most vulnerable

Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen said the city is far safer now than it has been in decades, thanks to the hard work of Rodriguez and the Camden County Police Department.

“Public safety remains our top priority and it’s the foundation for Camden’s celebrated transformation,” said Carstarphen. “We are witnessing tangible progress in every neighborhood citywide. The consistent engagement with residents and community policing efforts have helped to build trust within our community.

“There is still plenty of work yet to be done, but through this collaborative effort we are building a safer and healthier Camden.”

Drone donation

And to further help its efforts, the Camden County Police Department is accepting a $430,000 donation from the Norcross Foundation and NFI Industries Jan. 6. The $215,000 from each will expand the department’s drone program.

The donation marks the largest ever received by CCPD. A check presentation will take place Tuesday from George Norcross, chairman of Cooper University Health Care and MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, and Sidney Brown, CEO and co-owner of NFI Industries.

The donation will go toward purchasing two new drones to expand the program, which launched about six months ago. It is the largest law enforcement drone operation in South Jersey.

A look at Camden County Police Department’s drone program footage:

The CCPD says the drones provide eye-in-the-sky support for its officers across several situations, such as tracking stolen vehicles, managing large event logistics, trailing ATVs to get them off city streets, locating missing people, identifying illegal dumping, recovering illegal firearms and more.

“These donations will go a long way for us to purchase the hardware and software for at least two more drones for our program,” said Rodriguez. “Having the ability to launch these drones from rooftops across the city is an ideal investment for us and allows us to achieve our objectives without having to borrow equipment from other agencies.

“These new resources have already been utilized in several situations, assisting us in recovering illegal firearms and intercepting ATVs.”