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

A city once plagued by violence now celebrates a milestone: zero summer homicides. But can Camden sustain this progress with thinning police ranks?

, and Administrator

2026 March 12 . 10:02 AM

1 min read

The image shows a graph depicting the homicide offending by age of offender and weapon use from... — The image shows a graph depicting the homicide offending by age of offender and weapon use from 1976 to 2004. The graph is accompanied by text that provides further information about the data.

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

Camden has seen a notable drop in crime over the past year. In 2025, the city recorded 12 homicides—down from 17 in 2024—and achieved its first homicide-free summer in half a century. The decline is part of a broader trend of falling crime rates across the region.

Violent crime in Camden fell by 6% in 2025, while overall crime dropped by 10% compared to the previous year. The city, with a population of around 71,000, has been experiencing historic declines in crime since 2021. This places Camden alongside Philadelphia and Newark, both of which also reported lower crime rates last year.

Despite the progress, challenges remain. The Camden County Police Department currently has 353 officers on staff, with 47 vacancies. Retaining officers continues to be difficult, even as the department works to maintain public safety. Back in 2011, before major reorganisations and layoffs, the force had 401 sworn officers. Camden still holds the highest per capita homicide rate among New Jersey's four major urban cities. Yet the recent improvements mark a significant shift for a city once known for persistent violence.

The latest figures show Camden moving in a positive direction, with fewer homicides and lower crime rates. However, the police department's staffing shortages highlight ongoing hurdles. The city's efforts to sustain these gains will depend on addressing both crime prevention and officer retention.