Friday, June 15, 2012 - 5:46pm
Fatal shootings a hot topic at Wilm. City Council and Leg Hall
| By Tom Lehman/Frank Gerace |
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| WDEL's Tom Lehman reports. |
Wilmington City Council members express their frustration over the amount of violent crime after three people died in shootings earlier this week.
WDEL's Tom Lehman has more:
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Three recent fatal shootings had some Wilmington City Council members calling for more proactive police tactics at a Public Safety Omission meeting Wednesday night.
Councilman Kevin Kelley says the shootings have caused many city residents to feel unsafe.
"The fact of the matter is people are scared to death in this city. They are scared like they haven't been in awhile," says Kelley.
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He says action needs to be taken, but decreasing violent crime won't be easy.
"We've got to do something different. This is a tape that goes around and around and around every time we talk about it," says Kelley.
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Councilman Sam Prado says he thinks police officers should be able to use more aggressive methods to prevent shootings and other violent crimes.
"We know where the problems are. Just look at a map, you can pinpoint exactly where most of these shootings are happening. I just think we need to get tougher and mix that with better intelligence," says Prado.
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Councilman Justen Wright says improving communication between police officers and local communities may help decrease violent crime.
"We're asking that the police will come out, be amongst the community, and know the people, be amongst the people. Not just be the police are here and the citizens are there. We understand and respect and know that they have jurisdiction and policies that they enforce, but at the end of the day, we need to have a little softer communication," says Wright.
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Wilmington Police Chief Mike Szczerba says the presence of repeat offenders causes some of the city's violent crimes.
"With the numbers, it seems like a small problem, but it isn't a small problem because it's the repetitivity Click here to listen
of the suspects and the defendants constantly recommitting," says Chief Szczerba.
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But Councilman Eric Robinson says those released from prison often face significant hurdles that may cause them to turn back to crime.
"Our whole social system has really failed to really address the real problems in terms of helping people to turn around and become really legitimate members of our society," says Robinson
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State Senator Robert Marshall says he and other lawmakers from Wilmington are seeking money to fund more police officers for the city this summer.
"The Wilmington Senate delegation is requesting a special, emergency appropriation of $300,000 to the Wilmington Police Department for hiring overtime officers, who would be in uniform and on foot or bike patrolling all neighborhoods. It's an effort to stem the reign of violence," says Sen. Marshall.
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The Democrat says a recent spate of shootings and the discovery of a major international drug ring operating in the city inspired his quest for cash.
The Wilmington senators will lobby the General Assembly's Joint Finance Committee and seek help from Governor Markell, Mayor Baker and city Police Chief Mike Szczerba.
Click here to listen
State Senator Robert Marshall says he and other lawmakers from Wilmington are seeking money to fund more police officers for the city this summer.
"The Wilmington Senate delegation is requesting a special, emergency appropriation of $300,000 to the Wilmington Police Department for hiring overtime officers, who would be in uniform and on foot or bike patrolling all neighborhoods. It's an effort to stem the reign of violence," says Sen. Marshall.
Click here to listen
The Democrat says a recent spate of shootings and the discovery of a major international drug ring operating in the city inspired his quest for cash.
The Wilmington senators will lobby the General Assembly's Joint Finance Committee and seek help from Governor Markell, Mayor Baker and city Police Chief Mike Szczerba.
Copyright © May 21, 2013, WDEL/Delmarva Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved.
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