The Camden County Police Department reported a significant decrease in homicides and violent crime in 2025. The city recorded a 29% reduction in homicides, dropping from 17 cases in 2024 to 12 in 2025. This marks the lowest number of homicides since 1985 and follows the first homicide-free summer in Camden in five decades. Since 2012, homicides have declined by 82%.
In addition to fewer homicides, Camden saw a 6% decrease in violent crime compared to the previous year. Sexual assaults fell by 32%, robberies dropped by 12%, and total crimes decreased by another 2% during the year. The city logged a total of 3,120 crimes in 2025, down from over six thousand incidents reported in 2012—a reduction of nearly half.
Louis Cappelli Jr., Director of the Camden County Board of Commissioners, commented on these improvements and credited community policing for much of the progress: “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. I was telling the Chief not long ago that a homicide-free summer would have been a pipe dream for us at the time,” Cappelli said. “That said, we still have a ton of work to do, and we all know that one homicide is too many in the city. We still have promises to keep and miles to go, but 2025 was a good year for the city of Camden, and one that it hasn’t seen since 1984.”
Over recent years, several new initiatives were launched by police to address safety concerns more effectively. These include pairing social workers with officers to assist residents dealing with substance use or mental health issues as well as homelessness. Other programs aim at helping students re-engage with school or find employment opportunities through workforce development partnerships.
Chief Gabriel Rodriguez acknowledged both officers’ efforts and community collaboration: “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. We don’t take the bonds we have created for granted and we will continue to keep making deposits into our neighborhoods,” Rodriguez said. “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 police department works closely with local organizations such as Salvation Army, Boys and Girls Club of Camden City, Rising Leaders, I Dare to Care, Guadlupe Family Services, Cooper Foundation Sixers Youth Foundation and Mighty Writers on projects ranging from food drives to youth activities.
Mayor Victor Carstarphen praised ongoing improvements: “Camden is a far safer city now than it’s been in decades thanks to the hard work of Chief Gabe Rodriguez and the Camden County Police Department,” said Camden Mayor Victor G. Carstarphen. “Public safety remains our top priority and it’s the foundation for Camden’s celebrated transformation. 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.”
Congressman Donald Norcross also noted positive changes: “These numbers represent more than statistics; they represent lives saved, safer streets, stronger neighborhoods, and renewed hope for the people of Camden,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “This progress shows what’s possible when you invest in community policing, work hand-in-hand with the community, and give officers the training and equipment they need to keep people safe. There is still more work to do, but Camden’s story proves the power of working together to build safer,stronger communities.”
Camden County operates under a seven-member Board of Commissioners who oversee government operations across its municipalities according its official website. The county provides services including public safety programs such as those implemented by law enforcement agencies and maintains facilities like parks while supporting over half-a-million residents throughout southern New Jersey across its municipalities.
