According to year-end data released by the city, Camden recorded 12 homicides in 2025, down from 17 in 2024 and 30 in 2023. Violent crime overall decreased by 6% compared with 2024.
Camden County police are expanding their drone program after six months of use, citing its effectiveness and pointing to lower violent crime statistics in the city. Inside the department's drone operations center, officers monitor Camden from the air using a fleet that includes three rooftop-launched drones and two that can be deployed from mobile locations.
Police officials say the technology has allowed them to respond more quickly to incidents and track suspects in real time. "We've been able to capture offenders fleeing from the scene as well because when a call comes out, you click a button and this drone gets there within seconds," said Camden County Police Chief Gabriel Rodriguez. The drone program launched six months ago with seven drones. On Tuesday, officials announced a $430,000 donation that will add two more drones to the fleet. Mayor Vic Carstarphen said the expanded program coincides with improvements reflected in the city's crime data. "The addition of this technology, it makes the experience even better for our kids," Carstarphen said. "We're going to have challenges, but they've been mitigated. We're talking about crime stats that are going down." According to year-end data released by the city, Camden recorded 12 homicides in 2025, down from 17 in 2024 and 30 in 2023. Violent crime overall decreased by 6% compared with 2024. While FBI data shows crime declined nationwide last year, Camden officials credit local reductions to combinations of new technologies, including drones and ShotSpotter systems, and community-centered policing strategies. "My approach as chief is to make sure our first interactions with our community are positive interactions," Rodriguez said. "Not when something bad has happened in someone's life.""There's several officers that really look out for me," said Camden resident Brenda Barnes. "I'm 80 years old and they make a point of coming to visit me.""More clean up, more drug enforcement. I don't see a lot of that going on," said Camden resident Billy Hill."I would like to see it go back where if we see an older person walking with a bag, we had to help them," said Melodee Jones of Sicklerville, who grew up and works in Camden. The $430,000 donation announced Tuesday, from the Norcross Foundation and NFI Industries, is the largest private donation in the history of the Camden County Police Department. The new drones will join the rooftop fleet and be used to help monitor neighborhoods, identify illegal dumping and track ATV activity across the city.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Boston College Football Signs Former Saginaw Valley State QB Mason McKenzieMcKenzie was the 2025 GLIAC Player of the Year and 2024 Freshman of the Year.
Read more »
Crypto funds pulled $47B inflows in 2025, shy of 2024 record as altcoins ledThe most recent news about crypto industry at Cointelegraph. Latest news about bitcoin, ethereum, blockchain, mining, cryptocurrency prices and more
Read more »
Paramount+ Just Canceled Its Best Crime Thriller of 2025 — Here’s Why That’s DisappointingTaylor Handley as Kyle McLusky, Jeremy Renner as Mike McLusky in Mayor of Kingstown
Read more »
Camden reaches its lowest homicide total in 40 yearsThe city recorded just 12 homicides in 2025, down from 17 in 2024.
Read more »
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, N.Y. Gov. Kathy Hochul, NYPD Commissioner Tisch to make public safety announcementSources tell CBS News New York they will discuss 2025's crime statistics.
Read more »
The 100 Best Products We Tried in 2025, According to Our EditorsEmma Stessman is a writer for Shop TODAY.
Read more »