Homicide Record Broken In Camden County

CAMDEN, NJ — The City of Camden recorded its first homicide-free winter in 50 years, officials with Camden County revealed on Friday.

The milestone marks nearly five months without a homicide, and comes right after the city reported its first homicide-free summer in the same five-decade stretch.

The year 2025 ended with 12 total homicides, the lowest in the last 41 years.

Chief Gabriel Rodriguez attributed the positive trend to the growth in a collective focus on unity policing, and the department's further embracing of technology to make officers smarter and safer.

"We wear this uniform to work hand in hand with the community, and to build a better city one block at a time," Rodriguez said, "we have miles to go and promises to keep to the residents of this city."

Among these new additions to the tools available is a drone program that builds out situational awareness and strategic analysis for front-line response.

Along with help from federal funding over the years, the creation of the Camden County Police Department in 2014 has also led to the stark differences in the trends that continue to build.

"Camden's streets are safer, and our residents have embraced this new reality," Mayor Victor Carstarphen added.

As of Friday, there have been two shootings in the city in 2026. This is a 78 percent drop from the same time in 2025.

Along with enhancements to the tactical operations of the force, the Camden County Police Department has also ramped up efforts to engage with the community over the last five years.

The Village Initiative, a year-long series of events facilitated by the Department, includes diaper drives, movie nights, open gym, and block parties.

This is in addition to multiple neighborhood cleanup events and other outreach initiatives.

The Camden County Police Department also continues to work with partners like the Salvation Army and the Boys and Girls Club of Camden County to host and fund events outside of the central operating budget.

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