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Purzycki announces targeted police surge to address series of shootings

Delaware Public Media

Wilmington’s mayor and acting police chief announced new actions Monday to address a series of shootings in the city over the past couple weeks.

Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki said the first step is approving more overtime hours for police officers.

 

“For right now we just need more officers in those places where there appear to be these acts of violence coming out of nowhere with no particular rhyme or reason. They’re unrelated. They’re random,” he said.   

 

Purzycki said he hasn’t decided how many more man hours he’ll approve since the cost will be a financial strain on the city.

 

Another complicating factor is Purzycki’s search for a new police chief.  

 

“One thing you don’t want to do is make a bold, strategic initiative prior to the final selection of a police chief,” Purzycki said. 

 

Wilmington is in the midst of hiring a new police chief and Purzycki says he wants that person in place before rolling out a comprehensive strategy.

 

Other actions announced Monday include forming better relationships with people in affected communities and working more closely with New Castle County and State Police to build intelligence.

 

 

Since the beginning of the year, 10 people have been shot in Wilmington and four have died.  

 

 

Nine of those shootings happened last week and two just Sunday.

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