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 high- ranking 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

Offenders Tend to Be Young Adults

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

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-years- old 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