Is Wilmington gun violence under control?

 (John Jankowski/for Newsworks)

(John Jankowski/for Newsworks)

Police data shows that, to date, there have been at least 64 shooting incidents, sometimes with multiple victims, resulting in 17 homicides in the City of Wilmington. 

The most recent homicide took place Thursday evening in a residence on the 500 block of W. 4th Street.  Police discovered a 29-year-old man dead with a gunshot wound to the head. The crime is currently under investigation and, while police sort through evidence, Wilmington officials still try to work through plans to tackle the violence.

In January of this year, the initiative “Operation Disrupt” was put in place to take down a spike in crime. The plan put more police officers on the streets. According to Andrea Janvier of the Wilmington Police Department the program has changed a bit but the mission is still very active in the city. 

Also Mayor Dennis Williams asked City Council earlier this summer to consider a budget amendment that would fund three police management positions in order to reorganize the police department.

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Unfortunately, due to lack of support from council and community members, the proposal did not make it far.  The non-supporters pointed to a report released by the State Crime Commission which suggested the police department already has enough staff and resources to fight crime.

In the meantime, Janvier said police will continue to fight crime through Operation Disrupt and other programs such as Operation Safe Streets that include a partnership with state, probation and parole officers.

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