Residents react to criminal investigation in Dover neighborhood
DOVER, Del. – “Most of the people who live here, they are very nice people,” said Jake Byler, a Dover resident.
“It’s just the issue with the drugs that is bringing the neighborhood down,” said Byler.
Drugs and guns are two things many residents and property owners say has raised major concerns for their neighborhood in Dover.
“I really didn’t know what had actually happened, but I just kept seeing a lot of circulation of officers, Dover and State, working together to try to maintain the situation,” said Gina Paskins, a Dover resident.
Just days ago, Delaware State Police launched an operation in Capital Park following four shootings that took place in the area all in the span of two weeks.
People in the area say troopers came in heavy with armored trucks and helicopters.
“There was police on every corner,” said Byler, “There was police walking around, knocking on doors, talking to some of the people who lived here.”
“They kept flying through back and forth,” said Paskins.
Following investigations, Delaware State Police say they found drugs, guns, and contraband hidden behind homes on South Governor’s Boulevard.
“Every bullet has a name on it,” said Byler.
“It could be a drug deal gone bad or something of that sort,” said Byler.
47ABC knocked on several doors to get more information from neighbors.
Some of them refused camera time for fear of being targeted.
Property owners we spoke to say they are doing everything they can to clean up the neighborhood and help this area become a safer, more enjoyable place to live.
“Myself as an investor as well as a few other investors, we’re trying to improve the neighborhood, get the vacant houses fixed up and rented, and just improve the overall quality of the neighborhood, and hopefully that’ll address some of the recent shootings,” said Byler.
Delaware State Police say more than 60 troopers were needed for the two-day operation.
Troopers say they found nearly 5 grams of heroin, a loaded assault rifle, a caliber pistol, among other items in the neighborhood.
