New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie ordered the deployment of additional state troopers in Camden to help fight rising crime as the city's shrunken police force struggles to keep a lid on violence.
The governor says the extra troopers will focus on crime hot spots.
"Ever since our layoffs it's been a challenge in this city," said city Police Chief Scott Thomson.
For the past nine years the New Jersey State Police have kept a contingent of troopers in Camden. They already help investigate about 70 percent of the shootings in the city.
Just last week a store owner was killed and three people injured when armed gunmen attempted to rob a Camden corner store.
"Recent incidents highlight the brazen acts of a small percentage of lawless individuals who have been ignoring the law in Camden," said State Police Superintendent Col. Rick Fuentes. "We are here to assist the Camden Police Department and the citizens of Camden in reclaiming their streets."
For strategic reasons, Christie won't say how many troopers will be added but says the increase will be noticeable.
Local
Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood.
Thomson echoed the need to keep policing policies secret from would-be criminals.
"We want them to be uncertain of where we are when we are and we don't ever want them to schedule or forecast or script what we are doing."
Camden is a city of just under 80,000 and has had 16 homicides since Oct. 1. It laid off half the police force in January.
