CAMDEN GIVES UP CRIME TITLE

Camden no longer is the most dangerous city in the United
States.

That dubious distinction now belongs to St. Louis, while Camden --
which finished atop the rankings in 2004 and 2005 -- now ranks fifth.

The rankings are based on the prior year's crime statistics.

"It's not good, but at least we're making progress toward reducing
crime, violence and drugs," City Council President Angel Fuentes said.
"It's good for investors (and) good for the people of Camden to know
we're moving toward that end."

The rankings are compiled by Morgan Quitno Press, a private research
and publishing company that specializes in state and city reference
books. Other cities in the top five are Detroit, Flint, Mich., and
Compton, Calif.

Another New Jersey community -- Brick Township in Ocean County --
earned the distinction of the country's safest city.

The rankings are based on FBI figures released in June.

Scott Morgan, president of Morgan Quitno Press, said he was not
surprised to see St. Louis top the list, since it has been among the
10 most dangerous cities for years.

The rankings rely heavily on violent crime, which rose nearly 20
percent over the past year in St. Louis.

By contrast, Camden reported 34 homicides in 2005. That was 15 fewer
than 2004 and the lowest annual tally since 2002.

Fuentes praised police officers, noting the department makes nearly
11,000 arrests per year and responds to 600 to 800 calls daily.

"The community has to work closely with the police and vice-versa," he
said. "We all have to come together to combat the drug culture. We
need to encourage investors that there's a lot of potential in our
city, not just on the waterfront but in our neighborhoods."

Camden Mayor Gwendolyn Faison said Sunday she was thrilled to learn
that her city no longer topped the most-dangerous list.

"You made my day!" said Faison, who has served as mayor since 2000.
"There's a new hope and a new spirit."

City activist Frank Fulbrook -- who favors the creation of a
regulated, taxed market for now-illegal drugs for those 21 and older
- -- said such a move would further cut into the number of homicides,
most of which "are caused by drug prohibition," he said.

"It's better to be No. 5 than No. 1, but there's still way too much
crime in Camden," Fulbrook said.

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RANKINGS

Most Dangerous Cities

1. St. Louis

2. Detroit

3. Flint, Mich.

4. Compton, Calif.

5. Camden

Safest Cities

1. Brick, Ocean County

2. Amherst, N.Y.

3. Mission Viejo, Calif.

4. Newton, Mass.

5. Troy, Mich.