New Castle County councilman Jea Street is calling on the state’s congressional delegation and U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to more seriously respond to Wilmington’s growing violent crime.
Citing several shootings that have occurred over the past few months, Street requested in a letter that officials utilize all the influence they have to, “provide the very much needed relief that the United States Attorney General promised to Wilmington, Delaware in September 2014.”
Street was referring to the nationwide Violence Reduction Network which Wilmington joined along with other high crime cities like Oakland, Chicago and Camden. He says that network has produced no results locally.
He said a big motivation for writing the letter was the decision by The West Center City Daycare to relocate because of a recent spate of shootings in that area.
"If that doesn’t take things to another level, then I don’t know what does," Street said.
Street also cited his own efforts to battle gun violence over a decade-long stretch, including the Hope Commission. That floundered, Street says, due to lack of funding and sustained commitment from leadership.
Street says also a lack of response is allowing violence to continue and put a strain on the city’s resources.
"By the time you get finished with public safety, medical costs, court costs, you’re looking at a million dollars. So now we’ve spent $22 million on murders already this year in the city of Wilmington," he said.
