For what was one of the most dangerous cities in America, a summer without a homicide is a major achievement.

Major—doubtless; but unexpected? Perhaps not. Camden, New Jersey hasn’t experienced a summer without a homicide in 5 decades, but thanks to a new approach to policing and a new police department in general, sunny summers such as these could become routine forecast.

“We dissolved the police department of Camden City, formed and brought up a new county department that oversees this city,” said Camden County Commissioner Director Lou Cappelli Jr.

The dramatic restructuring was followed by a dispersal of officers into each community, where they would forge relationships with the citizens, and be closer to where crime occurred.

Overseen by the Real Time Tactical Operation Intelligence Center, a new surveillance command center operating over one thousand street cameras, the new outfit rapidly saw success.

The start of this year has been one of the best there’s been in terms of crime statistics for the once troubled city.

“It was bad,” Cappelli told ABC 6 Action News. “Homicides are down 75%. I’m just so happy for the residents of this city. They deserve this kind of safety.”

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That community-focused policing has residents teaching their children that police aren’t their enemies, and working with charities and nonprofits that help put on events with them, the officers are eager to play that role—of trusted neighbor and guardian rather than enemy.

Cappelli said that the results are so good that the department has been getting inquiries from not only other American counties and cities, but also other countries as well, to ask and learn about their policing, which has been so successful it’s led the mayor and other officials to focus on growing the community again.

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