Camden Crime Numbers Down Overall But Not On Every Front
By David Madden
CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) -- Overall crime statistics continue to show a decline on the streets of Camden since a county takeover of the police department two and half years ago, but there are some crimes going the other way of late.
Year to date, there has been a 14% increase in shootings in Camden compared to last year. Camden County freeholder director Lou Cappellli says the past few months have been particularly active on that front. "It has all been drug and gang related and it's been drug addicts and gang members shooting each other," Cappelli told KYW Newsradio.
Efforts are planned to deal with the problem in two ways. Code enforcement on vacant houses and addressing long-term neighborhood poverty.
The same report, which covers reported criminal activity through November 11th, shows arson up year to date 15% from last year, with a 10% increase in theft which climbs to 25% involving thefts from a car.
There's also a dramatic surge in reported rapes, but Cappelli says that's due to a change in the definition of the crime by state police and the statistical increase is evident statewide.
As for Camden's crime numbers, Cappelli says "We know we still have a long way to go. and from time to time there will be flare ups. But certainly things are moving in the right direction."
Witness a slight drop in homicides over the same period, which are down by half since the 2012 change in administration. Overall crime is down 2% from last year, 29% since the inception of the county force.
