Transcript Safe Cities in Camden

Camden Safer Cities Initiative
ARCC Meeting
November 20, 2004
Camden Safer Cities Initiative
 CSCI is a collaborative, problem-solving
process to help reduce violent crime in
Camden.
 Collaboration is designed to include highranking officials in the criminal justice
system, neighborhood leaders, clergy, and
social service providers.
 Modeled after similar programs in Boston,
Indianapolis, Memphis, Atlanta, Newark
Camden Safer Cities Initiative
 Aggravated assaults with a gun identified as
problem to be addressed
 18- to 24-year-old men from Camden most
likely to be victims and suspects
 Suspects and victims are demographically
very similar
Aggravated Assaults in Camden
Aggravated Assaults Incidents 1999-2003
(Source: Camden P.D.)
1200
1000
983
904
973
909
757
800
600
400
200
0
Year 1999
Year 2000
Year 2001
Year 2002
Year 2003
Offenders Tend to Be Young Adults
2003 Aggravated Assault with a Gun
Offenders by Age Cohort
Source: Camden PD (n=116)
Ages 40+
Ages 35-39
Ages 30-34
6
4
10
Ages 25-29
24
Ages 18-24
Juveniles
54
18
Aggravated Assaults with a Gun:
2003 Suspect Profile
 The majority (88%) of all offenders are
Camden residents.
 The majority are males (96%).
 About three quarters of offenders (71%)
were African-Americans.
 About one quarter of offenders (26%) were
Hispanic.
Suspect Criminal Histories
 About one quarter of all offenders (23%)
were either on probation or parole at the
time of the incident.
 Over half (57%) had a previous felony
conviction.
 Offenders averaged about 3 prior arrests
 Arrests for drug dealing are most common
Aggravated Assault with a Gun:
2003 Victim Profile
 Victims and offenders are remarkably
similar.
 Offenders are likely to be victims.
 Victims are also likely to be offenders.
 Victims also tend to know their attacker.
Victims Also Tend to Be Young
Adults
2003 Aggravated Assault with a Gun
Victims by Age Cohort
Source: Camden PD (n=266)
33
Ages 40+
Ages 35-39
Ages 30-34
20
38
51
Ages 25-29
Ages 18-24
Juveniles
89
35
Victim Criminal Histories
 About one in five (18%) of all victims were
either on probation or parole at the time of
the incident.
 Over half (56%) of all victims had a
previous felony conviction.
 Victims also averaged about prior three
arrests.
 Arrests for drug dealing are most common.
CSCI Five-Point Strategy
1. Increase the arrest rate for
aggravated assaults with a gun in
Camden City. The arrest rate should
be raised from the current 18%; a 40%
arrest rate should be the benchmark for
Camden City.
2. Ensure that new cases of
aggravated assaults with a gun
involving suspects 18- to 24-yearsold will continue to be swiftly and
severely prosecuted.
CSCI Five-Point Strategy
3. Strongly encourage, reward, and
support a change in the behavior of
parolees and probationers considered to
be at risk for violent behavior, including
gun crimes. An array of social services,
including substance abuse and mental health
treatment, education, and job training, will
be offered to CSCI participants. The goal is
to help CSCI participants succeed in
changing their behavior and improving their
lives.
CSCI Five-Point Strategy
4.
Develop a mentoring program run by
religious leaders, and interested citizens as
part of the services offered to parolees,
probationers, and at-risk individuals.
5. Implement a citywide public relations
campaign to signal that all elements of the
criminal justice system are coordinating their
activities and directly collaborating with the
community to target the crime of aggravated
assaults with a gun.
CSCI Implementation
JANUARY 2005