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Camden

Camden Mayor Criticized Patrick Beverley Over Comments

Mayor Vic Carstarphen invited Patrick Beverley to visit the city after the athlete made disparaging remarks.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Violence

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Camden Mayor Vic Carstarphen publicly rebuked NBA player Patrick Beverley this week, inviting him to visit following disparaging comments about the city. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Camden Mayor Vic Carstarphen has publicly criticized NBA player Patrick Beverley for suggesting on a podcast that residents would throw rocks at LeBron James's helicopter. In response to the comments, the mayor invited the former Philadelphia 76ers player to visit the city.

Why it matters

Mayor Carstarphen labeled the remarks disrespectful to Camden residents, who have seen significant declines in crime rates in recent years. The interaction highlights the tension between public perception of the city and its recent statistical trends in safety.

The city recorded 12 homicides in 2025, an 82% decrease from 67 homicides in 2012. Additionally, the 2024 violent crime rate in Camden was 951.1 per 100,000 residents, compared to 316.1 in the surrounding county.

The players

Vic Carstarphen

Vic Carstarphen is the Mayor of Camden who oversees local administration and frequently advocates for the city's public image.

Patrick Beverley

Patrick Beverley is a professional basketball player who previously played for the Philadelphia 76ers and hosts a podcast.

The details

Patrick Beverley, who played for the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2023-24 season, made the comments regarding safety in Camden during a YouTube podcast. Mayor Carstarphen addressed the statements via a Facebook post, defending the local community.

Timeline

  1. Camden recorded 67 homicides in 2012.

  2. Patrick Beverley played for the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2023-24 season.

  3. The violent crime rate in Camden was 951.1 per 100,000 residents in 2024.

  4. Camden recorded 12 homicides in 2025.

  5. The article was published on October 6, 2026.

Legal Context

This dispute over public perception follows a documented shift in Camden, which saw a 2% decrease in total crime and a 6% decrease in violent crime during 2025. These figures track against the 2025 crime rate reduction trend, which contrasts sharply with historical perceptions of safety in the region.

The mayor's response serves as a direct defense of local safety standards for residents living in the area. The public exchange highlights the city's efforts to move past its reputation for high violent crime rates.

The takeaway

Misinformation regarding the safety of specific neighborhoods can undermine the progress made by local community initiatives. Residents are encouraged to review official crime data rather than relying on anecdotal commentary from public figures.

Further reading

For more on safety trends in the area, read our latest coverage on Violence.

Live Poll

Do you support local officials who publicly defend their community against celebrity criticism?