CAMDEN, NJ – AUGUST 20: Khayree Battie (L) rests after playing drums with a local drum line that goes by the name “Vicious Victory” on August 20, 2013 in the East Camden neighborhood of Camden, New Jersey. Vicious Victory was created by Travis Scott, a 25-year-old who wanted to give local children an alternative to turning to drugs and violence. “I wanted to give them something to do,” Scott said, “there’s no after school programs…we practice outside, we even practice in the rain.” The town of Camden, which was once a large industrial town but watched it’s population dwindle as manufacturing left, has been marred with societal problems including high unemployment, crime, murder and heavy drug trafficking for decades. The Camden County Police Department was officially created in May, 2013, after the unionized Camden Police department was disbanded. The overhaul, which was supported by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, has been considered unprecendented and has been closely watched around the country. The new force currently has approximately 280 members, and will reach full size by December, with 400 members. Early signs suggest the overhaul has been effective – The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month that Camden murder rates fell 29% from May, 2013 to July 2013, compared to the same period last year. Absentee rates of the CCPD is also lower: approximately 5% of officers have been reported absent so far, compared to approxmiately 30% of the Camden Police Department prior to the change in command. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)
