In Camden, Christie thanks police, takes swipe at Obama

In what amounted to a hybrid of presidential campaigning and gubernatorial duties, Gov. Chris Christie visited Camden on Monday morning to tout the city's success in stemming the wave of violent crimes and personally thank local police

CAMDEN -- In what amounted to a hybrid of presidential campaigning and gubernatorial duties, Gov. Chris Christie visited Camden on Monday morning to tout the city's success in stemming the wave of violent crimes and personally thank local police.

The governor and Republican presidential candidate, with an event that coincided with President Obama's visit to Newark on Monday afternoon, stood inside the city's police department, flanked by Camden Mayor Dana Redd -- a long-time ally -- and Chief Scott Thomson in a room filled with officers.

"I'm here because I want to continue to bring attention to those things and say, 'Thank you,'" Christie said.

The governor also signed an executive order that gave special recognition to police officers.

"This coming Thursday we'll stand shoulder to shoulder," he said. "We're going to keep supporting you in every way we can."

The  event, which organizers acknowledged was a last-minute affair, started just hours before Obama was scheduled to announce a series of criminal justice initiatives by his administration some 90 miles north.

Christie's campaign taunted the president on social media ahead of his visiting, posting a video on Instagram that read: "Dear Mr. President. We've been getting this done in New Jersey since 2010. Nice of you to show up."

Once the event began, Christie left out any mention of the president until he was asked about Obama later by reporters.

"I think it's wonderful for the president to come to New Jersey and acknowledge the work that has been done in New Jersey, by leaders of New Jersey," Christie said in response to a question.

"What's happening here and what he's celebrating today has nothing to do with anything the federal government's had anything to do with," he said. "Frankly, given the really negative nature of what's been going on with law enforcement across the country on the president's watch, I thought it was very important for us to acknowledge law enforcement."

The governor went on to describe his plan "after the election was over" to establishing a law enforcement appreciation day by executive order. However, he said, his administration decided to hold the event Monday.

He added: "I'm sure he'll have a wonderful time up there in Newark today and, as always, I'm happy to have the president come to our state."

Later, Christie was asked if there was "a disconnect" between graciously welcoming Obama to the state and criticizing him on social media.

"No, listen, you can welcome the president here, which I do, he's the president of the United States," Christie said. "But it doesn't mean I can't disagree with him when he's wrong."

Christie added: "All these criminal justice reforms he's talking about, none of them are initiatives of his, you know, he's being pushed to this by others. And now, all of a sudden, he wants to come and take a victory lap at Integrity House? He wouldn't know what Integrity House was unless (U.S. Sen.) Cory Booker told him."

It was the second time this year Christie wasn't there to welcome Obama to New Jersey. The governor didn't personally greet the president when Obama came to Camden in May to tout the city's successes within the police department.

Christie took his presidential campaign to Camden in July, when, using Camden as a model, offered his proposal for changing the criminal justice system across the nation. Monday's event was organized by the governor's office, not his presidential campaign. 

Camden, one of the most crime-ridden cities in the nation, has been plagued by drugs and poverty. Crime in the city hit a high in 2012 when there were 67 murders in the city. In less than a year, local and state officials took the unique action of disbanding the city police department and created a new one that claims it's stemming the tide of violence in the city of about 77,000 residents.

The new department, called the Camden County Police Department Metro Division, was established with the help and support of Christie, who regularly boasts its success and has discussed the reforms in Camden across the country as he campaigns for president.

But even those most optimistic about Camden aren't calling it a safe city. And, supporters and critics agree, it's far too early for anyone to declare victory. For example, last year's number of murders that Christie routinely highlights was actually just one fewer than in 2009, the year before he took office.

Crime in spiked in 2011 and 2012 at the same time the city's old department was hit with deep cuts in state aid under Christie, which helped force significant police layoffs, critics claim.