Dover mayor asks community to help combat crime
The city of Dover, particularly downtown, has a well- known issue with crime. The police department has enacted more than a dozen programs to combat the problem and work to build stronger relationships with the community.
However, they’re down in numbers. Cpl. Mark Hoffman says, “We’re running at a lower man power than we should.”
Dover Police have seen numerous retirements in last 24 months. Officials say because it takes 10 to 18 months to get an officer certified, finding immediate replacements can be difficult. Due to that, the mayor of Dover along with the Dover Police Department, are requesting help from the community.
Robin Christiansen, the mayor of Dover says, “I want the people in our communities throughout the entire city in Dover to cooperate with the police department, be our eyes and ears. I want them to be just as mad as I am.”
Mayor Christiansen is attributing his anger to recent crimes in the city. There was an officer involved shooting Friday. A riot on Saturday resulted in 6 arrests. Between Friday and Wednesday morning, the Dover Police Department received 522 complaint calls. Those calls included everything from domestic disputes to drug crimes. The mayor says residents should recognize how much these high numbers can affect their livelihood, particularly the economy.
He continues, “Shootings, heroin, and crimes on our street and the lack of cooperation from the people who live here in these communities that are directly affected by these bad guys, is not helping me sell the city of Dover. It’s not helping bring meaningful jobs to people who are under-employed or unemployed.”
Mayor Christiansen tells 47 ABC job growth hasn’t stalled due to the recent crimes and that they will continue to try to turn things around.
He goes on, “As long as I am mayor, the bad guys aren’t going to win.”
As far as the shortage with the officers, the Dover Police Department are working to fill those spaces. They’ve already hired one officer from an outside agency. Five officers just graduated from the police academy and will be working in the field in the next five to six weeks. There are also seven more officers ready to enter the Delaware State Police academy.
