The crime rate in the city of Camden is at an all time low.

The mayor and other city officials are attributing the improvements to some major changes in the quality of life in the city.

A city that was once known as one of the most dangerous in America.

But back in 2013, when faced with high crime and poor police community relations, Camden, RI structured its police department and replaced it with the Camden County Police Department.

Since then, the city has seen a reduction in crime and progress when it comes to education, economic development, infrastructure, housing and more.

Ted Goldberg has more on how residents are feeling about the progress.

It's a template for other urban areas can turn around in the state of new Jersey.

Leaders in Camden say the city's resurgence is real.

With big numbers to back up their words.

We have witnessed an overall 75% reduction in homicide.

Our are down 61%, burglary, 72%, rapes 28%, robberies 76%.

These reductions in crime numbers are since Camden reorganized its police department in 2013, disbanding the city police and living under the protection of the Camden County Police Department.

I lived through those hard days in the 80s and 90s, where you were trapped and you were a prisoner of your home.

Residents were scared to call the police department.

The resident didn't want to pick up the phone to tell them that something was going on on a corner.

I lived that life.

So what changed citywide to make the crime numbers plummet?

The city implemented community policing strategies and increased investment and training and resources to reduce crime.

You know, originally the NAACP, was not in favor of transitioning the department from the city to the Metro Force.

And in fact, we were combative about the process.

President Smith and I both had broad enough shoulders to say, we're glad that the skepticism we had has turned into optimism.

Leaders did more than just reorganize the police department.

They used tax incentives to lure companies to Camden, like the Philadelphia 76 ers who practice near the waterfront.

And they use creative programs to give job training to kids who drop out of school.

In a lot of places, people think those young adults are the problem.

Camden this city has recognized that those young adults are the solution to the city's biggest problem.

We identified those adolescents at risk and brought them in, provided them with the services they need to put them on a path to success rather than a path to criminal activity.

The path to safer communities begins with providing our youth with opportunities.

The Sixers Youth Foundation has invested in various programs such as the Village Initiative.

Leaders also praised new grants from city, county, state and federal sources, which helped bolster the city schools.

All of these investments and initiatives and learning progress have led to the city's graduation rate jumping from 49% to over 70%.

Despite the citywide success.

Poverty is still stubbornly high in Camden, and leaders say improvements citywide will bring that down in the future.

You could talk statistics and data and you know, we're urban community.

You know, where every community like a lot of the urban community.

But I it's hard for me to sit here when someone says, and I respect your opinion.

It's going to take time.

But the answer to both your questions is the same.

The future development of these employers will reduce the crime rate and obviously reduce the poverty rate.

Residents who braved the cold today told me Camden does feel safer than it did in the past.

I feel like the crime rate has gone down.

I've seen a lot of, changes, where I used to live in, Centerville.

We have a lot of new homes that's been built.

A lot more cops involved in the community.

I would say for the most part, Camden is very much, giving community.

Next up is lack of affordable housing.

Leaders say Camden is working on that as well, along with more street paving and work to restore the parks in Camden.

I'm Ted Goldberg, NJ Spotlight News.