Newly deployed officers make downtown Wilm. drug bust

Just one day after Wilmington Mayor Dennis Williams outlined a new deployment plan for police in the downtown business district, officers make a midday drug bust in a high traffic area.

Officers assigned to the downtown business district under the new Williams’ deployment plan arrested a 21-year-old Wilmington man for dealing drugs in the 900 block of N. Market Street around 1 p.m. Tuesday.  Lamar Street was arrested on charges including possession with intent to deliver crack cocaine and possession of heroin.

Police say the arresting officers saw Seth do a hand-to-hand drug sale on Market St. before arresting in the area of 9th and French St.  Seth was on probation and home confinement due to a prior robbery conviction.

The site of his arrest is near Wilmington’s Grand Opera House and adjacent to numerous stores and restaurants frequented by downtown workers on lunch break.  

On Monday, Mayor Williams introduced a plan to combat crime in the downtown area.  “The business district is the lifeblood of any urban area. When your financial base is gone, you’re finished. Look at Camden, look at Trenton, look at Chester,” Williams said Monday in Rodney Square, adding downtown businesses generate 70 percent of the city’s revenue.

As part of the re-deployment, five police officers will be assigned to patrol the downtown area with five additional officers added to the mix at night.