Camden rehires more police

There are going to be a few extra bodies fighting crime in Camden, New Jersey.  After months of making do with with what they had, today the city will swear-in 19 police officers.  Earlier this year Camden laid off nearly 170 police officers: prompting public outcry.  But city leaders said given the serious financial challenges the city faced, they had no choice.  While some residents predicted pandemonium, Camden Police Chief John Scott Thomson said he would not let that happen. “I’ve spent the last 17 years of my life putting it on the line in this city,” said Thomson, “Many people I know and love reside in this city, work in this city … I’m married tohis city.”The re-hires are in addition to 55 officers the city already brought back — still leaving the Department far below it’s pre-layoff numbers.

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