Last month, the state approved $8 million in funding for Camden County Police to upgrade its equipment. This funding will allow Camden to continue to serve as a model for law enforcement agencies around the country. The Board of Commissioners thanks the governor and especially Sen. Nilsa Cruz-Perez, Assemblyman Bill Spearman and Assemblyman Bill Moen, all from the 5th District, for supporting this wise investment into Camden’s future.

Just a decade ago, Camden was one of the most dangerous cities in America. Today, thanks to reforms carried out by community leaders, county officials, and city government, it is regarded as the gold standard in police reform. President Obama even stated that the reforms made in Camden are a symbol of promise for the nation. Nonetheless, we refuse to rest on our laurels. Ever since the pandemic, the entire country has faced a crime crisis and we intend for Camden to remain a leader in the fight to keep our communities safe. This $8 million in equipment upgrades will give us the tools and resources to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to reducing crime.

Addressing gun violence is our number one priority. We know that we can save countless gunshot victims by dedicating some of these funds to expanding our existing Shotspotter system. Before we had these systems, it took much longer to notify first responders of reported shootings and get the victims to the hospital. Now that we have these systems, Camden’s EMS response times are 20% shorter, police response times quicker and thanks to our innovative “scoop-and-run” policy, officers can skip the wait for an ambulance and drive victims directly to the hospital. All of this means that Camden is on the cutting edge for responses to gun violence and the incoming funding from the state will allow us to build on these accomplishments, saving even more lives.

We also know that nothing is a better deterrent than a swift and certain arrest. The entire country is suffering from an uptick in property crime, especially carjackings, as career criminals have gotten better at evading law enforcement. Something must be done to help our detectives stop these repeat offenders from avoiding their day in court. Repairs and improvements to our CCTV systems will help police avoid losing sight of fleeing criminals. In addition to new cameras, new software will allow us to get more information on suspects by collecting license plate numbers off vehicles.

Moreover, this “eye in the sky” will serve as a force multiplier. Areas too large for our officers to constantly patrol can now be just a click away from our CCPD tactical center. This will not only help us catch criminals in the act, but also deter them from committing the crime in the first place. Camden is already a national leader in community policing, and this technology will allow our police to further solidify their reputation for reliability.

As public safety issues spread across the country, Camden will rise to meet the challenge head-on. Our reimagined approach to law enforcement has made us a role model for the past decade. These $8 million in new investments will help us remain a role model in the decade to come.

Louis Cappelli Jr. is the director of the Camden County Board of Commissioners and has been a leader in Camden’s police reform efforts.