> At a Glance
> – Camden recorded its lowest crime levels since 1985 in 2025
> – Homicides dropped 29% from 17 in 2024 to just 12
> – Violent crime fell 6% overall with double-digit drops in sexual assaults and robberies
> – Why it matters: Residents experience the safest Camden in four decades, signaling a potential model for urban crime reduction
Camden, New Jersey, has officially hit a milestone that once seemed impossible-2025 delivered the steepest crime decline in 40 years, city officials announced Tuesday.
The newly released data reveals dramatic year-over-year improvements across nearly every major crime category, reinforcing the city’s transformation since the Camden County Police Department launched in 2012.
The Numbers Behind the Record Drop
Camden closed 2025 with only 12 homicides, down from 17 the previous year and the fewest since 1985. The 29% single-year plunge is part of a longer trajectory that has seen killings drop 82% since 2012.
Violent crime overall dipped 6% last year, powered by:
- 32% decline in sexual assaults
- 12% drop in robberies
- A sustained decrease that has slashed violent crime 53% since the county force took over
Community Policing Gets the Credit
Mayor Vic Carstarphen praised officers for embedding themselves in neighborhoods, building trust, and “changing the narrative” of a city once synonymous with violence.
> “Public safety remains our top priority and it’s the foundation for Camden’s celebrated transformation,” Mayor Carstarphen said. “We are witnessing tangible progress in every neighborhood citywide.”
He acknowledged that challenges remain but argued the collaborative approach is “building a safer and healthier Camden.”
Regional Ripple Effect
The announcement follows news that Philadelphia also logged its lowest homicide count in decades for 2025, hinting at broader regional improvements.
U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross said Camden’s data confirms the city’s “continuing progress” and reinforces the value of sustained investment in community-focused policing.
Key Takeaways
- Camden’s 2025 homicide total of 12 is the smallest since 1985
- Since 2012, violent crime has fallen 53% and homicides 82%
- Officials credit community policing and resident partnerships for the turnaround
- The city’s success emerges alongside similar declines in nearby Philadelphia
After decades of struggling with crime, Camden’s latest milestone offers residents concrete proof that their city has entered a new, safer era.
