Nadeem's Addiction

Nadeem Sarwar, 24, is a drug addict who spends much of his time on the streets of Camden, N.J., feeding his addiction. Nadeem moved to South Jersey from his home in Brooklyn to help open a new retail store for his father. After that he became addicted to heroin and now uses multiple times a day.

Public safety administration in Camden, N.J. questioned as crime embattles cops, residents

CAMDEN, N.J. | Jan. 18, 2011. John Williamson said he can point to that day as a one of several reasons why the Camden, N.J. is continuing to struggle with high crime rates.

Dominic's shoe repair

Dominic Petulla owns and runs Gold Star Shoe Repair and Hat Cleaning in Camden, N.J. He started working by his father's side at the store when he was 10-years-old, over 65 years ago.

Rust Belt Resurgence: Camden, N.J. photos

View photos of Camden, N.J., shot by Times staff photographer, Jonathan Miano.

August 05, 2012 12:00 am

About the Rust Belt resurgence series

These stories about Camden, N.J., are the fourth part of an occasional series analyzing conditions in Rust Belt cities and urban revitalization efforts. Visit http://www.nwi.com/camden to view a photo gallery, videos and additional content gathered in Camden.

RUST BELT RESURGENCE: Why does NWI care about Camden?

Aside from geographic difference, Gary and Camden share similar ties in what brought them significant economic fortunes and how they reached periods of decline.

RUST BELT RESURGENCE: Institutions reviving city from life support

CAMDEN, N.J. | Nearly three decades ago, the city's waterfront land largely was an amalgamation of old industrial buildings and sites with environmental hazards.

Bolo's Gym

Jose "Bolo" Gonzalez turned his north Camden, N.J. living room in into a gym and keeps his door open 24/7 so that his neighbors can work out free of charge.

RUST BELT RESURGENCE: Camden, N.J.

Views of the Philadelphia skyline from docks at the South Jersey Port Corp. in Camden, N.J., in June.

RUST BELT RESURGENCE: Camden, N.J.

Kathy Soto of the North Camden neighborhood of Camden, N.J., smokes a cigarette on her front steps in June.

RUST BELT RESURGENCE: Camden, N.J.

Giselle Murphy, 40, a heroin addict and prostitute, works a corner in downtown Camden, N.J., in June. Murphy, originally from Chicago, said she started using drugs when she was 15. She turned to prostitution three years ago after she became homeless.

RUST BELT RESURGENCE: Camden, N.J.

From left, Edwin Roman, Jhovany Rivera, and Elie'ja Mitil play in an open fire hydrant in the North Camden neighborhood in Camden, N.J.

RUST BELT RESURGENCE: Camden, N.J.

Police respond to a shooting in the East Camden neighborhood of Camden, N.J., in June.

RUST BELT RESURGENCE: Camden, N.J.

Camden, N.J., police question a man for stealing a cell phone in June near a transportation terminal.

RUST BELT RESURGENCE: Camden, N.J.

Nadeem Sarwar, 24, shoots heroin into his neck in June. Sarwar moved to Camden., N.J., seven years ago from his home in Brooklyn to help open a new retail store for his father. He became addicted to heroin three years ago and uses multiple times a day.

RUST BELT RESURGENCE: Camden., N.J.

A Camden, N.J., police officer waves to Lailani Mitil as she and her family play in an open fire hydrant in North Camden. The neighborhood has a reputation for being one of the most dangerous in the city.

RUST BELT RESURGENCE: Camden, N.J.

Jose "Bolo" Gonzalez poses in front of his house in the North Camden neighborhood of Camden, N.J. After getting out of prison, Gonzalez built a gym in his living room that he keeps open to the neighborhood 24 hours a day. He does not charge any fees and views the gym as his way to give back …