As 2025 ends, the Camden County Board of Commissioners is reviewing a year marked by various initiatives aimed at improving quality of life for residents. Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. reflected on these efforts and outlined priorities for the coming year.
The board emphasized strategic investments and long-term planning throughout 2025 to enhance living, working, and visiting conditions across all municipalities in Camden County. “We came into this year with bold ideas to enhance people’s lives and make a positive mark on our community. As a board, we have been put here by the voters to build a better Camden County on top of an already solid foundation of accomplishments. From getting kids off the street and into job training programs, or reducing violent crime in the county by 50% over the last 10 years, this board has never shied away from a challenge. That said, we are moving into 2026 with the same attitude to face new challenges head on and lead with bold strokes,” Cappelli stated.
A significant milestone was reached during summer 2025 when Camden City recorded zero homicides between June 21 and September 22—the first homicide-free summer in five decades. This represented a 43% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. According to Cappelli: “This achievement is the result of our unity policing initiative, substantial investments in training and technology, and an overall culture shift that began in 2013 when the Camden Police Department was disbanded, and the Board of Commissioners established the Camden County Police Department.”
Efforts also targeted substance use disorder within the community. There were fewer suspected overdose deaths reported—162 from January through November—down from both 188 during that period in 2024 and significantly lower than 303 in 2023. The county expanded its use of social workers across public services such as libraries, police departments, and municipal courtrooms to provide direct support for vulnerable residents.
In line with its six-point plan to eliminate homelessness by 2030, Camden County broke ground on two major projects: The $22 million Martin McKernan Supportive Housing Center—a non-congregate supportive housing facility—and an $8 million Multi-Agency Center designed to connect individuals experiencing homelessness or substance use disorder with resources.
During a federal government shutdown late in the year that affected local SNAP recipients and federal employees without paychecks, Camden County organized emergency food donations totaling more than three tons and launched a campaign called “Bridge the SNAP Gap” for additional support.
To address food insecurity among seniors amid rising costs, officials celebrated opening a $5 million nutrition center in Blackwood dedicated to home-delivered meals; they also marked delivery of their one-millionth meal through this program serving over 400 seniors each weekday at no cost.
Fiscal responsibility remained another focus area as commissioners again reduced county tax rates while committing to spending freezes moving forward due to economic pressures affecting families.
Infrastructure improvements included launching a $161 million program addressing roads, bridges, stormwater drainage systems—with over $81 million invested during just this past year alone—and specific projects like road widening or bridge repairs throughout multiple townships.
Parks received notable upgrades under Parks Alive 2025: renovations at Cooper River Park’s playground ($2.5 million), Von Nieda Park ($4.1 million), Newton Lake Park playgrounds ($1.3 million), along with grants awarded for recreation facility enhancements ($675,000) and historic preservation projects ($540,000).
“The successes we saw in 2025 are a direct result of years of hard work, planning, and investments in enhancing Camden County. As we look ahead to 2026, we know that Camden County’s future is bright, and we look forward to continuing our work to make this the best place to live in New Jersey,” Cappelli concluded.
