Almost five months without a homicide, the CCPD continues to make progress
(Camden, NJ) – As flowers begin to bloom and the temperatures start to rise, the Camden County Police Department has hit another unprecedented high point in its quest to reduce crime in the city. For the first time since the 1970s, the city recorded zero homicides for the official start and finish of the winter months. This milestone reflects the sustained decline in violent crime throughout the city, and underscores the historic reduction in crime achieved since Camden was once considered one of the most dangerous municipalities in the nation prior to May 1, 2013.
This homicide-free winter builds on the department’s 2025 Uniform Crime Reporting results, which recorded the lowest number of violent crimes and homicides since 1985 with 12 total homicides. Compared to a record setting year in 2025, violent crime has declined an additional 12% during this same time last year. Under the leadership of Chief Gabriel Rodriguez and his command staff, the CCPD has collectively focused their strategies on unity policing and embracing technology to make officers smarter and safer on the streets.
Chief Gabriel Rodriguez talked about the importance of policing through prioritizing the community and residents.
“I want to take a moment to recognize this important milestone for the department and the men and women who helped us achieve it. As a son of this city and having worked my entire law enforcement career in Camden, I’m somewhat astounded at where we find ourselves. That said, this accomplishment is a benchmark for the agency that could not be accomplished without our community partnerships, engagement and dialogue with our neighbors, and support of our stakeholders,” Rodriguez said. “We wear this uniform to work hand in hand with the community, and to build a better city one block at a time. Nevertheless, this is not us flying a victory banner. This is recognition of progress, but we have miles to go and promises to keep to the residents of this city, and we will continue to work as hard as possible to keep those promises.”
2026 marks the agency’s fifth year facilitating the Village Initiative, which hosts several events throughout the city on a regular basis including open gym, diaper drives, senior bingo, Bookmates, block-party BBQs and movie nights, and much more. The department has also engaged in several new initiatives including a dodgeball and flag football program, senior citizen outreach, hosting several neighborhood cleanups, and other community events.
Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. talked about the long-term strategy of the CCPD.
“It’s hard to believe that we have come this far over the course of the last 13 years, and I think more than anything else it underscores the importance of working with the community to achieve our shared goals,” Cappelli continued. “With the Chief’s unity policing model, we’ve seen significant gains that have resulted in historic reductions in crime across the board. Today, we can mark this special occasion, but we know, as a community, even one homicide is too many and can have catastrophic correlating impacts to a family and neighborhood, so it’s important for us to keep that in mind and continue to work hard to reduce victims of crime.”
The CCPD continues to work with community partners that include the Salvation Army, the Cooper Foundation, the Boys and Girls Club of Camden County, Rising Leaders, Mighty Writers, and the Sixers Youth Foundation, to host and fund programs that are outside of the main operating budget. These corporate and nonprofit partners are allowing the agency to provide safe spaces and funding to provide a third place for youth and young adults to have positive interactions with officers outside of school and home.
Camden City Mayor Victor Carstarphen highlighted the department’s role in driving improvements throughout the city and for residents.
“This is now the first time in more than 50 years that the City of Camden has experienced a homicide-free summer and winter,” Carstarphen said. “This reset of the public safety paradigm would not be possible just over a decade ago. The years of investment in new technology, de-escalation training, and community engagement by our CCPD officers have resulted in a remarkable transformation citywide. Camden’s streets are safer, and our residents have embraced this new reality. I commend Chief Gabe Rodriguez, his entire command staff, and all our officers for their exceptional efforts.”
In addition to the community engagement and continued use of social service providers working with the department, the agency launched a new drone program that is working concurrently with the existing tactical center and eye in the sky network. These new tools have made a marked difference in the department’s ability to build out situational awareness and strategic analysis for front line policing.
Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay reflected on the importance of establishing confidence in law enforcement within the Camden community.
“Watching the winter season pass in Camden without a homicide continues to demonstrate that sustained community partnerships and unity policing can achieve what once seemed impossible,” said Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay. “As we build on the city’s milestone homicide-free summer, we are reminded that public safety is a year-round commitment grounded in trust. Progress is measured not only in statistics, but in the peace and confidence felt across the community.”
Total crime has been declining in Camden precipitously since the inception of the Camden County Police Department. This winter from December 21 to March 20, CCPD and CCPO recorded zero homicides. As of March 20, the city has seen a 100% decrease in homicides from the same time last year. Additionally, as of March 20, the city has only recorded two shootings, a 78% drop from the same time last year.
Federal funds have been critical to expand technology to make the department smarter and stronger when combatting property crime throughout the city. Congressman Donald Norcross has delivered critical resources to assist the agency on this issue and reflected on how far the department has come since 2013.
“A few months ago, Camden reported the first homicide-free summer in 50 years, and today marks a homicide free winter. This progress is a testament to the investments we’ve made in community policing, including bolstering training programs and officer equipment,” Norcross said. “Forming better, stronger relationships between police officers and the individuals they are sworn to protect is how we foster a safer community for all.”
For modern era perspective on this topic the CCPD has reduced homicides by 82% from its first full year of operation in 2014.