Record Gun Violence in Wilmington

Filed in Delaware by on October 28, 2013

As of today, there were 137 incidents of gun violence in Wilmington (not quite 11 months into the year) which surpasses last year’s incident total of 119. Deaths as a result of gun violence (see the NJ article) is down (14 homicides vs 25 — 15 vs 25 as of Sunday) from last year though. We’ve seen lots of reports of armed robberies, which seem to be up (but no data) and if there was any confidence in the Williams’ Administration’s ability to get a handle on Wilmington’s violent crime problem, that confidence is now waning. Alot. Sunday, the 136th victim of gun violence was shot at 7th and Washington. Just a few blocks away from the Market St patrols that manage panhandlers. Also on Sunday, the 137th victim of gun violence was shot at 24th and Washington.

I don’t even know what to say any more. I do know that this Mayor promised major reductions in crime after 6 months and after 2 years, you wouldn’t recognize Wilmington any more it would be so safe. None of that seems to be on track. And while the Mayor has started talking like Jim Baker regarding the city’s crime, he doesn’t seem ready to ask for help or to rethink whatever strategies they are working on. This *is* a larger problem than policing can solve — and we talked about a great many good ideas here. More good discussion and ideas were here — including some interesting data on the results of more data-driven deployments and fairly major reduction homicides this year in Philly.

So what’s next? I’m going to still keep asking for better practices for policing, including Community Policing, even if it is in just a few troubled areas. Not being able to come to grips with the city’s violence is a real disservice to the people who work pretty hard create events and opportunities for folks to visit. Not being able to come to grips with the city’s violence isn’t a good strategy for keeping homeowners from deciding to rent out their city homes and live elsewhere. But I have no doubt that they don’t know what to do at this point and aren’t going to reach for any better solutions — unless residents really push for this.

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"You don't make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas." -Shirley Chisholm

Comments (22)

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  1. Geezer says:

    You’re looking at this all wrong. The story is that despite a record number of shootings, fewer people are dead.

    Your headline should be: “Shootings in Wilmington more survivable than ever!”

  2. AGovernor says:

    Just heard from a friend that there is a “new” strategy. If this strategy of visibility is actually being deployed in the way it was related to me then we are doomed.

    Visibility without interaction in our neighborhoods will not help us to solve the crimes, it may put off another shooting for a day or two, but not much else.

  3. AQC says:

    I do t know about a new strategy of visibility, but, I can tell you I frequently see police in the vicinity if 7th and Washington. This did not stop the most recent shooting. Maybe the police should actually get out of their cars?

  4. Geezer says:

    “Visibility without interaction in our neighborhoods will not help us to solve the crimes”

    Solving the crimes should not be the point. The point should be preventing the crimes. Visibility would help.

    Get out of the car and do what? Chat up people on the block? This ain’t Mayberry.

  5. AGovernor says:

    Yeah, get out of the car and make contacts. Contacts that can potentially become sources of information that will prevent crimes.

  6. AQC says:

    Yeah Geezer, actually get to know the people so when the crimes do happen they trust you enough to talk to you.

  7. AGovernor says:

    And another thing, maybe if we were all friendlier and willing to talk to each other and the police Wilmington would be more like Mayberry. Why would that be a bad thing?

  8. Geezer says:

    “Yeah, get out of the car and make contacts. Contacts that can potentially become sources of information that will prevent crimes.”

    Oh, absolutely. Yeah, if I lived at Ninth and Bennett, I’d want to be besties with the cops because all my neighbors would be jealous.

    Are you people out of your minds? Wilmington police get out of their car to bust a 16-year-old for packing heat and the neighbors surround the cops — and you want the cops to get out of their cars and play Mr. Rogers? What freaking planet do you live on?

    “actually get to know the people so when the crimes do happen they trust you enough to talk to you.”

    Funny, but cops in other cities don’t have to do this to solve crimes in their jurisdictions. Or perhaps you think the New York City cops are making buddies with all those guys they stop and frisk.

    “maybe if we were all friendlier and willing to talk to each other and the police Wilmington would be more like Mayberry. Why would that be a bad thing?”

    No, it wouldn’t be a bad thing. It would, however, be an incredibly unlikely thing. If I’m going to sit around waiting for miracles, I’d prefer a unicorn.

  9. mediawatch says:

    It’s deeper than all that. Remember, about 6 months ago, when “The Peoples’ Report,” the documentary based on research by UD professor Yasser Payne, was released. There are a lot of linkages here — high dropout rates, poor education, high unemployment, exposure to crime, negative encounters with law enforcement.
    Community policing would be a step in the right direction, but it’s only part of the solution.
    Keeping kids in school, preparing them for work, finding jobs, building trust between police and residents — all of that is needed.
    A lot of work to be done.
    One way to start would be to bring in Dr. Payne, have him develop some plans, write a grant request and get some financial support from Delaware’s major foundations. No, that won’t solve it all, but it’s better than what we’ve got now.

  10. stan merriman says:

    You’re onto something there with Dr. Payne. I’ve seen his documentary and heard him speak. He’s onto solutions. Mr. Mayor, hire him as a consultant. Bring former Houston Mayor Lee Brown, also that city’s former police chief. A community policing pioneer. Bring him up here to consult. And yes, in Houston where they used to have street gang shoot outs, he got the cops on their feet and on bicycles in tough neighborhoods. Yes, car patrols nearby to reinforce if necessary.

  11. Paul Calistro says:

    I have attached a link to a comprehensive report prepared by the Goldwater Institute. Although it was prepared for cities in Arizona it certainly could be the template for Wilmington. The report is : Keeping Americans Safe: Best Practices to Improve Community Policing and to Protect the Public

    The report tells you the history of policing types, best practices and clear measurements. You may not agree with all aspects of the report but it would be a template for Wilmington to start from.
    http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Uploads/023/Media/Policy_Report_FINAL.pdf

  12. cassandra_m says:

    This:

    One way to start would be to bring in Dr. Payne, have him develop some plans, write a grant request and get some financial support from Delaware’s major foundations. No, that won’t solve it all, but it’s better than what we’ve got now.

    is the Hope Commission Redux.

  13. AGovernor says:

    When Dr. Payne was asked what is the next step now that you have done this research his answer was to do “P.A.R.” research in the schools.

    He did not suggest or hint at any “plans” to combat what his research showed are the problems.

  14. Tom Kline says:

    Article should read – Black on Black crime never higher in cities across the country.

  15. Rob says:

    I agree with Cassandra on her Hope Commission comment. Makes my head hurt…what a waste of resources and opportunity.

  16. cassandra_m says:

    The Achievement Center (sponsored by the Hope Commission), working on re-integrating ex-offenders back to the community in some productive way has real potential and I do hope they have great success. It took the Commission a long time and alot of money to get to this, though.

  17. AGovernor says:

    I agree with Cassandra the Achievement Center has the potential to stop the cycle for men coming out of prison. It has yet to come on line.

    The center at its beginning will serve a limited number of men. This is a good thing; it will allow them to develop best practices and effectively serve the clients.

  18. Geezer says:

    “Article should read – Black on Black crime never higher in cities across the country.”

    Since that’s untrue, I would disagree with your suggestion. Crime has been dropping, along with the population of young men, for 20 years.

  19. Tom Kline says:

    Crime committed by Blacks is most certainly higher than committed by Caucasians. It’s ignored by the media and by you..

    “Article should read – Black on Black crime never higher in cities across the country.”

    Since that’s untrue, I would disagree with your suggestion. Crime has been dropping, along with the population of young men, for 20 years.

  20. jason330 says:

    “(black on black crime is) ignored by the media…”

    Have you every seen something we call the TV? I’m wondering

  21. Rob says:

    Yes it has taken the Hope Commission a long time and a lot of money to get to where they are at. All the prior initiatives…Hope Zones, outreach workers and PAR we all touted as solutions with the same level of excitement as the current project. They have kept the same core board and staff while changing their mission several times (not the fluffy mission but what they actually do). Are these folks incredibly gifted and adaptable to still be calling the shots or are they the problem? These are big issues to solve and some humility and less of a focus on optics would have helped.

  22. LeBay says:

    I don’t know jack about the Hope Commission and their “mission”, whatever that might be.

    I do know there is a war going on in Wilmington.

    Many shots were fired at 7th & Jefferson last night at 7:30 PM. Last night was Halloween. Little kids were out trick-or-treating while idiots were popping off BIG rounds (bullets that left entrance holes in a car’s sheet metal large enough for me to stick my pinky finger through, and I don’t have small hands) at both 7th & Jefferson (WCC) and 27th & Jefferson (North Side.)

    WPD knows who the players are, but have yet to catch them.

    Where is Mayor Dennis P. Williams? Cowering under his desk while small children are being used for target practice? Wasn’t he supposed to clean up Wilmington in 6 months?