The city of Camden, New Jersey will lay off its entire force of 270 cops and reorganize its county unit to patrol the streets, as they have hired two former state police executives in an attempt to curb major crimes.
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Known as one of the most dangerous cities in America, Camden has one of the highest crime rates across the nation – not to mention a staggering budget deficit, which has forced the lay offs.
According to Philadelphia Inquirer:
Forging ahead with plans for a new Camden County police force, local officials have chosen two retired state police executives – including one whose brief employment in Camden ended abruptly last year – for top jobs piloting the yet-to-be-established department.
Camden Mayor Dana L. Redd has asked Lanuel J. Ferguson, a former state police major, to work as Camden’s public safety consultant while the city disbands its Police Department and makes the transition to the regionalized force.
Former state police Capt. Edward J. Fanelle has been hired as director of police services for the county force, a permanent post.
Redd announced this month that she was developing a state-required layoff plan under which the city’s 270 officers would serve their last day at work by Dec. 31. Field training for the county force – which, as currently planned, would protect only Camden – could start as early as October, county officials have said.
With so many major crimes, the police force had to stop responding to minor ones such as car accidents, petty thefts and vandalism.
SOURCE: PI
Photo credit: Mel Evans AP
