2005 Media Releases:

CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
VINCENT P. SARUBBI, CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR
MEDIA   INFORMATION

August 4, 2005

Camden County Prosecutor Vincent P. Sarubbi and Camden Police Chief Edwin J. Figueroa reported today that crime in the city decreased significantly in July 2005 compared to last year, continuing a marked decline this year.

Overall, Uniform Crime Report Part I crimes are down approximately 23 percent so far in 2005 compared to 2004. One of the most significant categories, Murders, are down from 34 at this time last year to 17 so far this year, a 50 percent decrease. Last July, there were 11 Murders in the city. This July, there was one.

"Clearly, this is no time to declare victory and slacken our resolve," Sarubbi and Figueroa wrote in a letter sent to Camden community leaders last month. "We believe, however, that it is an opportune time to share information about our progress…

"Our message…is about more than statistics - it is a message of hope and encouragement for those who live, work and visit in Camden. These early successes demonstrate that by focusing our collective energy and efforts, we can make a significant difference."

The letter went on to detail initiatives that have been put in place or reemphasized this year. They include crime-mapping, the Comp-Stat accountability-based management technique, intensive narcotics enforcement, a gun prosecutor, Shooting Response Teams, increased police presence at the Rand Transportation Center and a federal fugitive task force.