Officials Say Camden's New, County-Based Police Force Is Cutting Crime
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By John Ostapkovich
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CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) -- Camden, NJ officials today marked the three-month anniversary of the start of operation of the Camden County Police Metro Division, presenting some encouraging figures.
The event was not to say "Mission accomplished," but rather, "Progress made."
Mayor Dana Redd, county police chief Scott Thomson, and City Council president Frank Moran were among those hailing the work of the 278-member force, which replaced the city police department in a controversial move (see related story).
"This is just the tip of the iceberg -- there's a lot of work to be done," says Council president Moran. "But the most important component is that the residents are coming out of their homes. The residents feel they're part of the solution."
Especially, he notes, in two targeted neighborhoods: Parkside and Fairview.
"And we continue to call to action our residents," added Camden mayor Dana Redd (right), "because our residents live here 24/7, and who better can tell us what's happening around the neighborhood?"
She says that's where police are visible, involved, and fighting the quality-of-life crimes often committed by the same people who commit murders.
