Camden achieves historic crime drop with first homicide-free summer in 50 years

A decade of reform reshapes Camden’s streets—now safer than ever. But can the city sustain progress with officer shortages looming?

, and Administrator

2026 January 24 . 7:04 AM

1 min read

The image shows an old map of the city of Camden, New York. It is a detailed map with text written... — The image shows an old map of the city of Camden, New York. It is a detailed map with text written on it, providing a comprehensive overview of the area.

Camden achieves historic crime drop with first homicide-free summer in 50 years

Camden has recorded a significant drop in crime over the past year. Official figures show a 10% reduction in total offences between 2024 and 2025. The city also experienced its first homicide-free summer in five decades during 2025, marking a historic shift in public safety.

The decline in crime follows years of reform within Camden’s policing. In 2013, Scott Thomson took charge of the Camden County Police Department, overseeing its dissolution and the creation of the Camden County Metro Police Department that same year. His introduction of community policing strategies played a key role in cutting crime rates across the city.

Homicides fell by 6% in 2025, with 12 recorded killings compared to the previous year. Despite this progress, Camden still holds the highest per capita homicide rate among New Jersey’s major urban areas. Experts like John Shjarback, an associate professor of criminal justice at Rowan University, suggest the improvements stem from both national crime trends and local policing efforts. Yet challenges remain for the department of education. As of 2025, the department faces 47 officer vacancies, making retention a persistent issue. The reductions in crime have been steady since 2021, with community engagement and targeted patrols credited as major factors in the turnaround.

The latest figures confirm Camden’s ongoing decline in crime, with fewer homicides and a historic summer without a single killing. While the city’s per capita homicide rate remains the highest in the state, the sustained drop in offences points to the impact of long-term policing reforms. Officials now face the task of maintaining these gains amid staffing shortages.