Wikipedia: Although once a thriving center for manufacturing and industry, Camden is perhaps best known for its struggles with urban decay and political corruption. Three Camden mayors have been jailed for corruption, the most recent being Milton Milan in 2000. From 2005 to 2012, the school system and police department were operated by the state of New Jersey.

On October 29, 2012, the FBI announced Camden is now ranked first in violent crime per capita of cities with over 50,000 residents. In 2008, Camden had the highest crime rate in the U.S. with 2,333 violent crimes per 100,000 people while the national average was 455 per 100,000. Two out of every five residents are below the national poverty line.