One of the last events I filmed in 2009 for City invincible was the Camden Peace Vigil that Sister Helen Cole prepared at Saint Joan of Arc church in Camden's Fairview neighborhood. Sister Helen invited family and friends of those who died due to violence in 2009 to come and pray for one hour for each individual whose life was lost.

It was a very solemn event. And each name on Sister Helen's list was given an hour of prayer time, working backwards from 6 p.m. on New Years Eve. Needless to say, she was busy for several days overseeing the vigil. 

The sadness striking this community really hit home for me that day when I saw all the candles lined up in front of the church representing each person who died in 2009, and their names written on a long scroll opened up next to the altar.

While Camden did have fewer violent deaths in 2009 than the previous year, it is cold comfort to the people who live in affected neighborhoods where this kind of event is common. Hopefully they will stay strong and fight back against the violence that tears families and the city apart. 

Next year my hope would be for no names on the list, but I am a realist, and I know that at least we can work on reducing the number of homicides in 2010, if not all together eliminating them. 

It is sobering note to know that Camden's population is approximately 78,000, and half that number are children, and yet to be named as the country's most violent. I believe that is a real wake up call for all American cities facing tough times to be vigilant, and come together.

Be invincible! 

Peace, 

TJ