President Obama to Visit South Jersey Today

In an effort to promote his 'promise zone' program, President Barack Obama will be visiting South Jersey today.

According to NBC 10, 'Obama will meet with law enforcement and young people and hear how the Camden County Police Department works to forge relationships with the community it serves.'   The President has begun helping eight economically hard-hit communities fight poverty and assist children. Camden County is among those communities.

The 'Promise Zone' could open the door for more federal grants, which would increase economic opportunity, reduce crime and improve public health, among other things.  While it doesn't provide automatic funding, it provides local governments and agencies aid in cutting through red tape to get access to existing resources.

The President will tour the Real-Time Tactical Operational Intelligence Center at the police department’s headquarters. He will also talk to teenagers and young adults about their relationship with law enforcement.

Camden is among the poorest cities in the nation. Nearly half the adults lack high school degrees and crime rates are among the highest in the country.  However, the newly-established Camden County Police Department has gained national recognition for the strides its made in its use of community policing.