Business owners react to recent Dover shootings

DOVER, Del. – Following seven shootings in Dover over the past two weeks, including one on Loockerman Street, we spoke with local businesses about how this has been effecting their bottom lines.

Several store owners and employees say people are cautious about coming downtown, especially at night.

“Sometimes they’re a little more tentative to come down, just because of the shootings, or that it has happened,” said Steven Pate, owner of the Emmanuels Religious Gifts and Books.

This latest string of gun violence comes just weeks after the city told 47ABC they are stepping up patrols. But for some, their confidence is shaken.

“I don’t have a lot of faith in the city officials and Dover PD, I’ll tell ya that,” said Chris Miller, an employee who works in downtown Dover.

One owner, who declined to comment on camera, said the incident this past weekend has caused them to consider moving. That owner, along with others say more patrolling is needed.

“They’re gonna think twice, they’re going to see a police man or a cadet walking through and going, OK, I’m not going to do that,” said Pate.

Some we talked to say better communication among businesses needs to happen.

“There’s certain things that we need to take care of. And that has to be community. It’s not just cops, it’s everybody. Everybody has to do it,” said Pate.

We reached out to Mayor Christiansen’s office, as well as the Dover Police Department, but have not received a response.