CCOP in the Newspaper

Crime in Camden: Before it gets to 911
(Philadelphia Inquirer, March 11, 2008, Editorial)

When a vacant house in their Cramer Hill neighborhood became a haven for drug users, community leaders organized a cleanup and enlisted help from the Camden Police Department.
With violence escalating in the beleaguered city, that type of partnership and spirit of cooperation needs to be be replicated in every neighborhood, with residents and police teaming up to fight crime.
Camden's new police chief, Edward Hargis, says he wants to do just that, which is a positive sign that the department is moving in the right direction.
Hopefully, Hargis can restore the trust that has been missing for a long time between the police and the community.
He has already met with State Police officials, who will provide community problem-solving training for Camden officers possibly as early as next month.
Everyone on the police force, from the chief down, will be taught how to take a more proactive approach to curbing crime.
Rather than waiting to be called to investigate crimes after they have occurred, police will be encouraged to intervene earlier, usually relying on tips from residents and business leaders.
That seems simple enough, and it's probably routine for many police departments. But it's a big step for Camden.
The city's poorly managed and overwhelmed Police Department is more inclined to be reactive, waiting to respond to 911 calls.
Camden Churches Organized for People, a coalition of 25 faith-based groups, organized the cleanup in Cramer Hill last year. It has pushed for more community interaction with police.
The group's chairman, the Rev. Willie Anderson, said church leaders wanted to help the police because "we have a whole city that's under siege."
Camden has had 16 homicides so far this year. Much of the violence is linked to rival drug gangs and an influx of guns.
Hargis, who took over the department in January, is trying to come up with a viable crime strategy. He should share his plan with residents concerned about their safety to get their input prior to its implementation.
Already, Hargis has assigned more officers to beats in the city's business district. The department is also pairing up more with federal and state law-enforcement agencies and has seized 64 illegal weapons in two months.
Some officers are being redeployed to target neighborhood crimes. Hargis also wants to strictly enforce a new curfew to get youths under age 18 off the streets by 10 p.m.
Camden's crime problems won't be solved overnight. But Hargis appears to be starting on the right track. He must use every available resource, especially Camden's residents, to make the city safer.