Back to Morgan Quinto CrimeRankings                       

 Become A Star

City officials and developers say another year as the "most dangerous city in America" will not harm the city's economic future.

"No businesses have expressed concern this year. We reached out to most of the folks we were working with ahead of time," said Arijit De, executive director of the Camden Redevelopment Agency.

When Morgan Quitno released its "Most Dangerous/Safest Cities" report last November, officials said there was a direct impact on city development and enrollment at Rutgers-Camden.

"We're just as committed as we've ever been to deliver this private investment to the community," said Rich Ochab, a spokesman for Cherokee, which is planning a $1 billion redevelopment of the city's Cramer Hill section. "It (the report) reiterates the importance of the project."

Randy Primas, Camden's chief operating officer, said Marriott backed out of a hotel deal last year after the report came out. He said this year's report doesn't have the same shock factor, given that crime has decreased in the last year.

"We've been kind of up front with folks. The folks we are dealing with knew there were challenges here and they're sticking with us," said Primas.

At a Monday news conference at the Antioch Baptist Church, Kathy Thomas, of the Parkside Business and Community in Partnership Inc., said there is still a strong investment in the city despite the report, including planned improvements to the Baird Boulevard and Haddon Avenue.

Rutgers-Camden Provost Roger Dennis said last year's report and a serial rapist who had struck downtown caused the school to lose about 150 to 200 applicants. School spokesman Mike Sepanic said it was unknown whether this year's report would have a similar effect. Reach Jason Nark at (856) 486-2473 or jnark@courierpostonline.com