The city of Camden in New Jersey reported its first homicide-free summer in over 50 years, crediting its police department's shift to unity policing and embracing technology.

Camden recorded zero homicides in the summer, from June 21 to Sept. 22, for the first time since the 1970s, county officials said Tuesday. The city has also seen a 43% decrease in homicides from Sept. 23, 2024, to Tuesday, county officials reported.

The homicide-free summer comes as Camden continues to see a reduction in crime. County officials said the city reported 445 violent crimes in the first six months of 2025, which they say, citing UCR reporting, is one of the best half-years in the past 50 years.

To date, the city of Camden has eight homicides on the record for 2025, seven of which have arrests made, officials said.

Camden County Police Chief Gabriel Rodriguez is crediting the police department's commitment to community policing for the drop in crime. Rodriguez and county officials cited the department's village initiative, where the CCPD holds several events on a regular basis to build relationships within the community. Some of the events include block party barbecues, open gyms and movie nights.

"Growing up in this city and working as a police officer here, I don't ever remember a time period where we went through the entire summer without a homicide," Rodriguez said in a news release. "I believe this important marker speaks volumes to the work of the men and women in this department and their ongoing commitment to our community."

The city of Camden was one of the most dangerous municipalities in the United States as recently as 2013.

Residents, police credit community connections in Camden

Camden County Police Deputy Chief Chris Sarlo said summer is typically "the biggest time for crime" and said the change comes from officers addressing root problems rather than just calls for service. 

"We're now going the step further and seeing, 'Hey, can we offer you some resources?'" Sarlo said.

Officers have also deepened community ties by hosting events that put officers shoulder to shoulder with kids. 

"There's opportunities to win brand new pairs of sneakers, Amazon gift cards," Sarlo said. "And then also a chance to relate to the officers. It's one thing to see an officer and say hello, but to play basketball with them, to play flag football with them."

Markquitta Nelson, a grandmother of four, said that connection matters. 

"All through the summer, they had a lot of activities for the kids to do," Nelson said. 

Technology helps, too

The police department also launched a drone program a few weeks ago that Sarlo said allows the team to stay flexible to respond quickly to what's happening on the ground.

"We change hour to hour throughout the day, throughout the week, throughout the month," Sarlo said. "When we start to see a trend in anything, we immediately are switching gears."

Residents like Anthony Gilliams, who has lived in Camden his entire life, say the difference is clear. 

"Knowing that the crime has decreased, that's great," Gilliams said. "That's awesome."