Double murder shocks Camden
Camden Courier-Post - September 23, 1979
By KEN SHUTTLEWORTH, Of the Courier-Post
CAMDEN — The murder of two elderly men, whose bodies were found bound and gagged in their two-story brick home early yesterday, has renewed calls by area residents for better police protection.
The victims, Benjamin Shablock and John Barrett, died of smoke inhalation in a deliberately set fire that broke out around 2 a.m. in the house the men shared at 834 Bailey St. in North Camden, homicide detectives said.
Shablock was believed to be in his late 60s, and Barrett was said to be near age 70.
Detective Sgt. Albert Handy said the two men were found in separate bedrooms on the second floor. He said police have no suspects and have not established a motive in the slayings.
HANDY SAID one of the bedrooms in the house appeared ransacked, but police could not tell whether anything had been stolen.
Residents of the predominantly Hispanic and black section remember their two white neighbors as quiet men who passed time sitting on the porch and working at odd jobs.
“They didn’t bother anybody,” said Eifonio Lopez, who lives a few doors away.
Several homes on the street are boarded up and abandoned, including the two on either side of the Barrett property. Lopez said one of Barrett’s former next-door neighbors moved away some time ago because of a number of break-ins.
A LONGTIME friend of Barrett, Councilwoman Helen McHugh, said he worked many years for the city’s Department of Public Works before retiring several years ago. She said he worked at the now-defunct city dump on State Street, a few blocks from his home. The councilwoman said he helped her with various political chores during his retirement.
Handy said that Shablock worked part-time as a cleaner at The Tavern on 6th Street, near Cooper, about two blocks from the house.
Samuel Benson, president of Concerned Citizens of North Camden, said word of the murders has sent shock waves through the community. His organization was formed about a year ago to improve the quality of life in the most rundown section of the economically depressed city.
As a result of the murders, Benson said he expects to renew efforts to pressure the police department into stepping up its protection commitment to the community.
DEMANDS FOR more officers have been relayed by the organization and others to Police Chief Harold Melleby but, so far, Benson says the response has been unsatisfactory.
Melleby could not be reached for comment, but in the past he has blamed union work rules requiring two-man patrols for a lack of citywide police coverage.
He has expressed confidence that a new agreement due to take effect later this year will enable the department to more adequately deal with the complaints by Benson and other citizens groups.