The city of Camden, New Jersey, celebrated a significant achievement in 2025, recording its lowest homicide rate since 1985. With just 12 homicides last year—matching the total from 1985—Camden saw a notable drop from the 17 homicides reported in 2024. This declining trend continues to build on the momentum from the city’s first homicide-free summer in five decades.
According to police statistics, Camden experienced an overall 6% decrease in violent crime compared to the previous year, which includes a remarkable 32% reduction in sexual assaults and a 12% decline in robbery incidents. Mayor Victor Carstarphen credited persistent engagement with residents and proactive community policing efforts as vital to building trust and safety in the community. “There is still plenty of work yet to be done, but through this collaborative effort, we are building a safer and healthier Camden,” he stated.
The dramatic changes in crime rates are largely linked to the disbandment of Camden’s police department in 2013. The formation of the Camden County Police Department brought a new approach focused on community policing, where officers partner with social workers and engage in youth support programs, helping to create better opportunities for at-risk individuals. Since the last full year of the previous police structure in 2012, homicides have plummeted by 82%.
This transformative shift in crime patterns reflects a broader national trend, with other cities like Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Chicago reporting similar declines in violence following the pandemic. While researchers have yet to pinpoint a singular cause for this nationwide reduction, many believe that increased investments in violence prevention and community-enhancing infrastructure have played a significant role.
Residents like Derrick Gallashaw, who grew up in Camden in the 1980s and 1990s, have witnessed these changes firsthand. “It feels like the city is safe now,” said Gallashaw, who now serves as the regional director of Mighty Writers, a nonprofit offering afterschool programs for youth in Camden. He emphasized the importance of community partnerships, such as those with local organizations, in reducing violence and fostering a more supportive environment for residents.
Gallashaw believes that sustaining the city’s positive trajectory requires ongoing collaboration between community members and leaders. He stressed that it is essential for the community to have a say in addressing their needs rather than imposing top-down solutions. “We all have to get together because it expands that reach,” he noted.
Camden stands as a testament to the potential for change through community-focused strategies and a commitment to addressing the root causes of violence, presenting a hopeful narrative for cities seeking to overcome challenges similar to those faced in years past.