Watch CBS News

Report: Crime On The Rise In Camden Following Police Layoffs

CAMDEN, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Crime in Camden is on the rise following deep cuts to the police force earlier this year.

An analysis of crime data by The Courier-Post of Cherry Hill finds violent crime was up 13 percent from Jan. 1 through June 20 compared with the same period a year ago.

The rates were also higher than in the first half of 2008 and 2009.

Assaults with guns have been particularly high, up 60 percent from last year.

The newspaper also found nonviolent crime up by 21 percent so far in 2011.

Experts caution not to blame just the layoffs, which shed nearly half the city's police force amid a budget crisis in January. Since then, some officers have been hired back.

Sound off in our comments section below…

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.