Washington - US Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) today sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder requesting emergency federal law enforcement assistance for the Camden Police Department. This request comes after reports of escalated violence in Camden, New Jersey; violence that seems to be in direct correlation to drastic budget cuts that reduced the Camden police force by 168 police officers. While a significant percentage of those officers have been rehired, the city's 262- member force is still more than 100 police officers below its original capacity.

"The numbers make it perfectly clear that Camden is facing a serious law enforcement crisis. And families living in Camden should not have their safety compromised because of budget shortfalls," said Menendez. "Public safety is a top priority of mine. I'm hopeful Attorney General Holder grants the assistance Camden needs to put more police on the street to get this crisis under control."

"In the wake of budget cuts and layoffs, a crime wave is overwhelming the city of Camden and there is an urgent need for emergency assistance to help keep families and businesses safe," stated Lautenberg. "We are urging Attorney General Holder to work with us and act quickly to help stem the rising tide of crime in Camden."

According to recent media reports, 16 people have been killed in the City of Camden since the beginning of October, robberies have increased about 114 percent last month compared to November 2010 and aggravated assaults with a firearm jumped 60 percent during the same time period. Additionally, the Associated Press indicates that arrests in Camden have plummeted this year in the wake of last year's layoffs.

Full Text of Letter to Attorney General Eric Holder:

December 13, 2011

Dear Attorney General Holder:

The City of Camden, New Jersey is facing a serious law enforcement crisis and we are writing to ask for emergency federal law enforcement assistance for the Camden Police Department.

As you may know, a significant budget shortfall forced local elected officials to lay off 168 Camden police officers. Although a portion of those officers have been rehired, the city's 262- member force is still more than 100 police officers below its original capacity. While the city's leadership recently announced that they have taken significant steps towards agreement on a regional police force plan, we believe it is critically important to provide emergency federal resources to Camden.

Since the beginning of October, sixteen people have been killed in the city. Robberies increased about 114 percent last month compared to November 2010 and aggravated assaults with a firearm jumped 60 percent during the same time period. Meanwhile, the Associated Press indicates that arrests in Camden have plummeted this year in the wake of recent layoffs.

We have been strong supporters of law enforcement resources for local communities. During the negotiations on the Department of Justice appropriations bill for fiscal year 2012, we advocated for more funds for the COPS Hiring Program and Byrne JAG Program. While we understand that COPS Hiring funding will not be available until later next year, in the interim, we would urge you to consider providing resources to Camden in the form of additional DEA agents, U.S. Marshals and Federal Bureau of Investigation agents.

Public safety is always our top priority and the families living in Camden should not have their safety compromised due to budget concerns. A strong police presence is vital to the security of our community.

Thank you very much for your consideration of our urgent request.

Sincerely,

ROBERT MENENDEZ and FRANK R. LAUTENBERG

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