The 10 big cities with the lowest crime rates included New York City, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Seattle.
The crime rate was calculated using 2009 data for six categories: murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and motor-vehicle theft. The cities ranked must have a population of at least 75,000.
Camden, with a population of about 79,000, was named the most violent city in the United States by the CQ Press in 2004 and 2005. In 2006 and 2007, it was ranked fifth.
There have been 33 homicides this year in Camden.
The study has been criticized as simplistic by some law enforcement officials. Its rankings compare incidences of crime by population, but do not figure in other factors.
Camden Mayor Dana Redd blasted the survey in a statement released Sunday and called for residents to "denounce the CQ report."
"It is unfortunate that this flawed report continues to be published for the sake of making a buck," Redd said. "In fact, our latest data shows that overall crime is at a 40-year low in Camden."
Redd invited outsiders to "come see the revitalization effort taking place in Camden."
Redd and Police Chief Scott Thomson said that year-to-date crime has dropped 9 percent. The year-to-date homicide and manslaughter rate is down 33 percent, officials said.
Camden, however, faces potentially huge budget cuts and may have to lay off police officers next fiscal year.
Jason Laughlin, spokesman for Camden County Prosecutor Warren Faulk, said that because the survey is based on 2009 crime numbers, officials had expected Camden to rank high in the survey.
"You can argue with the methodology of the survey, but the city has a lot of problems," Laughlin said.
Laughlin said that his office is targeting violent crime in Camden. A task force will examine all homicides and nonfatal shootings in an attempt to improve the rate of those crimes which are solved and the rate at which convictions are won.
Contact staff writer Kristen Graham at 215-854-5146 or kgraham@phillynews.com.
