New Jersey has cool places like the Jersey Shore, the Statue of Liberty, and the Pine Barrens. But, there are some areas with a lot of crime, especially murder.
A recent report from NeighborhoodScout says that two cities in New Jersey are in the top 30 murder capitals of America for 2023. These cities have the most murders for every 1,000 people. Which city is the worst? Let’s see.
Camden: The Second-Worst Murder Capital in the Nation
Camden is a city in South Jersey, near Philadelphia. It has about 73,000 people, and a lot of them (36.4%) are struggling with poverty. The city has big problems like corruption, not enough jobs, illegal drug trade, and gang violence.
In 2023, there were 23 murders in Camden, which means a murder rate of 31.5 per 1,000 residents. That makes it the second-worst city for murders in the country, right after East St. Louis, Illinois. Camden also has high rates of other violent crimes like robbery, assault, and rape.
Camden has been dealing with crime for a long time, and people have tried different things to make it better. They’ve torn down empty buildings, put more police around, worked on education, and tried to bring in new businesses.
But Camden still has a lot of problems, like not enough jobs, too many illegal guns, drug cartels causing trouble, and families falling apart.
Newark: The Largest City with the Most Murders
Newark is the biggest city in New Jersey, home to about 295,000 people. It’s in Essex County and is a major center for transportation and culture.
However, Newark has a serious issue with crime, especially when it comes to murders. In 2023, there were 60 reported murders in Newark, which means there were 20.3 murders for every 1,000 residents.
This makes it the fifth-highest city for murders in the country and the city with the most murders in New Jersey. Newark also deals with other violent crimes like robbery, assault, and rape.
The city has a history marked by problems like racial tensions, riots, corruption, poverty, and unemployment. Many efforts have been made to improve things, focusing on things like infrastructure, housing, education, and public safety.
Despite these efforts, Newark still faces ongoing issues like a lack of trust between the police and the community, the presence of gangs and organized crime, the availability of illegal guns, and the long-lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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How Does Camden Compare to Its Neighboring Cities?
Camden is known as one of the most dangerous cities in New Jersey and the whole country. A report from Rutgers University revealed that Camden has the second-highest murder rate in the nation, following East St. Louis, Illinois.
The city also experiences elevated rates of other violent and property crimes like robbery, assault, burglary, and motor vehicle theft.
Compared to nearby cities, Camden stands out with significantly higher crime rates. For instance, according to CrimeGrade.org, Camden’s crime rate is 43.44 per 1,000 residents, whereas Cherry Hill, a neighboring city, has a much lower rate of only 9.83 per 1,000 residents.
In addition to high crime rates, Camden faces social and economic challenges that impact the quality of life for its residents. Issues such as poverty, unemployment, corruption, and drug trafficking contribute to a lower standard of living.
To address these problems and build a better future for its residents, Camden requires increased resources, support, and effective solutions.
Read More:Â This City Has Been Named the Worst City to Live in New Jersey
Conclusion
New Jersey has a mix of nice and not-so-nice areas. Some places are lovely and secure, while others can be dangerous. In particular, Camden and Newark have high murder rates and are considered among the most dangerous cities in America for 2023. These cities require more help and solutions to address their crime problems and improve the lives of their residents.
