The state troopers will be part of a task force that includes federal, state and county agencies. Camden is located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia and has a population of 87,000. The task force plans to conduct drug and gun raids, stop auto thieves, set up roadblocks and enforce alcohol laws.
Unlike Gary, Indiana, where state troopers recently left after assisting local police for two months, New Jersey state troopers will stay in Camden for as long as they are needed.
This year, Camden has recorded 57 murders. In comparison, Aurora, Illinois, which has a population of 100,000 has had 25 homicides in 1995 -- and that is considered to be a high number of a city with a high crime rate. Authorities said that most of the murders in Camden have been drug-related. Camden also allegedly has more domestic abuse reports than any other city in New Jersey.
State troopers have helped in Camden before. Troopers were assigned to patrol in the city from late 1992 to mid-1994. Camden mayor Arnold Webster said that his city "doesn't have the resources to deal with these problems...we welcome the additional help."