The Camden County Police Department in New Jersey is taking significant strides to strengthen community relationships and combat crime through a range of innovative community programs.
Most recently, the department held a friendly kickball game outside Veterans Elementary School between members of the police department and the local community, fostering bonds and bridging the gap between law enforcement and residents.
Yariely Roldan, a community member, expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to spend time with the police officers.
“I think it’s good because we can spend time with them and like a while back, we weren’t able to hang out with them like we do now,” Roldan said.
For the past decade, the Camden County Police Department has been dedicated to the concept of community policing, focusing on meeting residents where they are and building trust and confidence.
This commitment has yielded impressive results, with the city’s homicide rate dropping by over 70% and overall crime reaching a nearly 50-year low.
The success of these efforts has even caught the attention of law enforcement agencies nationwide and influenced policing around the country.
Camden Mayor Vic Carstarphen commended the department’s community policing model, describing it as a model for the nation.
“We had other departments around the country just want to talk and go over what you are doing, what steps have you taken.”
To further support their community initiatives, the Cooper Foundation partnered with the Camden County Police Department, donating $10,000 to help fund popular events for children and seniors while enhancing community policing programming.
Captain Vivian Coley expressed gratitude for the donation, acknowledging its role in providing for families and children in need.
“We couldn’t feed the families and the kids without money, and Cooper, this is just tremendous, it’s a great feeling,” Captain Coley said.
In addition to organizing kickball games, the department introduced a new gaming truck at Sacred Heart School.
The truck serves as a platform for positive interactions between officers and children.
“We’re creating our first positive engagement with our youth with the gaming truck. You can’t get any better than that,” Coley stated.
The gaming truck, purchased with forfeiture money from illegal drug sales, will be utilized during the department’s fairs and open game nights to provide a fun and interactive way to build relationships between officers and the community.
The journey toward successful community policing in Camden was not without its challenges.
The county police department was initially established as a response to a fiscal crisis, and despite initial doubts, the officers have proved their readiness to tackle the city’s many challenges.
Over the past decade, the department has earned praise for its commitment to community engagement, effective use of technology and training in de-escalation techniques.
Communities from various cities, including Paterson and Philadelphia, have also visited Camden to observe and learn from the department’s community policing efforts.
In addition, according to Camden Police Chief Gabriel Rodriguez, the utilization of surveillance cameras, ShotSpotter technology to detect gunfire, automatic vehicle locators and officer cell-phone tracking have all contributed to improved communication and crime reduction.
Camden County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli further noted a 44% decrease in violent crimes and a 51% decrease in non-violent crimes as a result of the department’s efforts. However, Cappelli said that there is still work to be done and praised the Camden County Police Department for its positive impact on the community.
“We still have a long way to go. […] But, the CCPD has made strides and the community has benefited,” Cappelli said.
As the department celebrates its 10th anniversary, Mayor Victor Carstarphen hailed the agency as a milestone in Camden’s history, crediting community policing for the substantial improvements.
