- Camden is the most dangerous city in New Jersey, where there are nearly 2,000 violent crimes recorded every year
- There have been a number of high-profile murders in the last two weeks, including a 25-year-old and twin brothers, 26
- Gordon Donovan photographed some of the US's most dangerous cities but thought Camden had worst reputation
'It is dangerous - there aren't any bullet holes in the walls of my local deli in New York City.
'I wasn't really afraid, more exhilarated. I was more concerned about my camera equipment when we went into some buildings.'
With a population of 77,000 Camden, despite community renewal projects, remains the most violent city in the state.
The
dilapidated buildings all over the borough are a symptom of the fact
that nearly 40 per cent of people live below the poverty line.
The average income is just $13,385, well below the state and national average.
But Mr Donovan has been to many cities
that claim to top the bill, but Camden is the worst and among the most
rundown he has seen
Statistics
often disagree over which is the most dangerous city in the USA but
there is rarely a list that doesn't include Detroit, which has been torn
apart by gang violence.
But Mr Donovan has been to many cities that claim to top the bill, but Camden is the worst he has seen.
He
added: 'I've been to some other areas like Baltimore, Cleveland and
Detroit to shoot but this area has the worst reputation by far.'
Disused
offices have become 'shooting galleries' - places for heroin users to
inject, while vacant homes harbor the homeless and acts as dumping
ground for waste.
One photo shows an abandoned home with a make-shift letter box used by dealers to receive payment for illegal drugs.
Disused offices have become 'shooting
galleries' - places for heroin users to inject, while vacant homes
harbor the homeless and acts as dumping ground for waste
One photo shows an abandoned home with a make-shift letter box used by dealers to receive payment for illegal drugs
In another of the stark photos showing
the level of deprivation in the neighborhood, only stray cats and
graffiti line the streets
Many of the houses have been boarded
up, as fed-up residents flee the deprivation and the high crime rates in
the New Jersey city
In another only stray cats and graffiti line the streets.
Many of the houses have been boarded up, as fed-up residents flee the deprivation.
The keen photographer visited the notorious city with local law enforcement.
He added: 'I was unsure what the dangers were but I was with a police officer and it was daytime.
'The streets were pretty much empty and at night is when most of the action happens.
'The
officer told me stories about squad cars being ransacked during
investigations and at one point we stopped because a few panhandlers
were approaching people at a traffic light.
'The
police officer who took me was nostalgic about the area and enjoyed
taking me out. He loved the area and wants to do right with it.'
The keen photographer was concerned about his camera equipment so he visited the notorious city with local law enforcement
The officer told him stories about
squad cars being ransacked during investigations and at one point we
stopped because a few panhandlers were approaching people at a traffic
light
The police officer who took him on the
trip knew about its problems but was nostalgic about the area and
enjoyed taking him out. He loved the neighbourhood and wants to do right with it
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