Fewer Camden Murders in 2005

CAMDEN, NJ-January 2, 2006 -- The number of murders committed in Camden, N.J., was down sharply last year.

The city, one of the most dangerous communities in America, had 34 homicides in the city in 2005, including four in the last two weeks. And Camden's murder rate was still about seven times the national rate of about 5.5 per 100,000 residents.

But that's 15 less murders than in 2004, and it's the lowest number since 2002.

Over the past few years, authorities in Camden, just across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, have tried ambitious new crime-fighting efforts including a reorganization the city police department.

This year, the U.S. Marshal's Office has arrested more than 300 fugitives and a new task force has been established to solve nonfatal shootings.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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