Huffington Magazine Issue 26 | Page 4

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR HUFFINGTON 12.09.12 Policing the Streets and Policing The Times N THIS WEEK’S Huffington, John Rudolf examines a plan that would revamp the police force in Camden, New Jersey, a crime-ridden city that routinely tops the FBI’s list of most dangerous places. Residents and city officials agree that Camden needs a big change: in addition to suffering from widespread crime that terrorizes the population and demoralizes the police officers who try to contain it, Camden is the most ART STREIBER I impoverished city in the country. Forty-two percent of residents live below the poverty line. To reverse these trends, local leaders — including the city council and Gov. Chris Christie — have proposed a radical and controversial plan. Rather than improve the existing Camden Police Department, they want to replace it entirely — an approach that entails firing the existing police force. Opposition is fierce, though unlikely to stop the creation of a new force, which will be called the Camden Metro Division. Camden’s cops feel embittered Join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook