CAMDEN, NJ - OCTOBER 24: A Camden police cruiser passes 1400 Sheridan St. where sniper suspect John Allen Muhammad, 41, had his blue Chevy Caprice that he was in when arrested in a Maryland rest stop registered to, is shown October 24, 2002 in Camden, New Jersey. Reports say Muhammad registered the vehicle September 11, 2001. Muhammad, and a man he reportedly has identified as his son Lee Malvo, were found sleeping in the car when the pair were arrested early Thursday morning. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

Recognized as one of the most dangerous cities in America, Camden New Jersey is reported to be disbanding its police department as part of an austerity measure that would leave almost 270 officers without jobs.

In a move that has been criticized and considered to be a union-busting tactic, the officers that are retained would be part of a new non-union division of the Camden County Police department.

According to reports from the Philadelphia Inquirer, under the layoff plan designed by Camden Mayor Dana L. Reed, the 270 officers would serve their last day on the force by December 31st of this year, while field training for the county force that is dedicated to only serving Camden could begin as early as October.

The crime rate in Camden is thought to be so high that the police force doesn’t respond to minor incidents like auto theft and vandalism.