Burglaries, thefts decline in Cape Region

Last year, burglaries, thefts and shoplifting saw a major decline resulting in the lowest numbers on record in the Troop 7 coverage area, police said, during a Delaware State Police Troop 7 year in review presentation by Capt. Darren Short and his staff at an April 18 meeting in Lewes.

The Troop 7 area includes the beach, west to Ellendale and Route 113 and north to Milford.

Short said Delaware State Police use a State Police Enhanced Analytical Response program in daily planning to prioritize their work, and it's paying off in reduced crime statistics.

Lt. Christy Ballinger, head of the troop's traffic division, said the program allows police to develop a proactive policy to look at trends and better direct resources before problems escalate.

Burglaries see a major drop

Short said 257 burglaries last year is not only the lowest number on record, it is about half the total in previous years. In 2010 and 2011, burglaries averaged more than 700 per year. More than 500 were reported in 2016. Burglaries dropped 49 percent from 2016 to 2017.

Delaware State Police public information officer Melissa Jaffe said, “We believe we are placing troopers in the right areas at the right times to deter crime or apprehend an offender quicker by analyzing crime pattern data,” she said.

She said troopers are also doing a better job in crime scene processing and evidence collection.

In addition, she said, the public is playing a bigger role in helping police to identify suspects aiding troopers to get arrest warrants faster. “We are able to make an arrest sooner in a spree, reducing the number of crimes that offenders may commit, and as a result reduce the overall number of crimes and citizens victimized by crimes,” she said.

The 339 reported shoplifting cases were the lowest total in 15 years, dropping 33 percent from the previous year.

Short said better communication among business owners and Tanger Outlets management has helped reduce shoplifting by 33 percent. “We are getting better IDs of suspects and getting property returned,” he said.

Thefts were down 14 percent to 938, the lowest total on record.

Thefts from vehicles

Short said most car thefts are from unlocked vehicles. “Lock your car doors. This is a crime of opportunity, and we are seeing a lot more of it,” he said.

Lt. Kristopher Thompson, head of the troop's criminal division, said recent arrests have been made. “The trend has stopped for now. The last theft was reported on March 30,” he said.

Short said those types of crimes are the toughest to investigate and make arrests; only 36 percent of reported car thefts are solved, due to lack of evidence.

He said police are aware that two homeless men in the Rehoboth Beach area are robbing vehicles of change, but they don't have enough evidence to arrest them. Short said homeless people arrested in the past have told troopers they might try 500 car doors in one evening to check for open doors. “If they get $5, it's a good night for them,” Short said.

He said it's a testament to good work by troopers when the crimes are solved.

Questions about drugs

When asked about the opioid epidemic, Short said, “We can help to minimize it and work to give people the resources they need, but it's a work in progress. There is no silver bullet.”

Drug investigations by Troop 7 troopers usually occur as result of routine traffic stops. He said long-term drug investigations are turned over to the DSP Drug Unit. Other investigations are made by the Governors Task Force.

More than 590 drug investigations were reported by Troop 7 during 2017, compared to 437 investigations in 2016, which excludes drug overdose cases.

Short, who has a background in drug investigations and was an undercover officer for five years, said he never made a heroin arrest. “It was crack cocaine then. Now the drug of choice is heroin because it's so cheap,” he said.

Troopers are trained in the use of Narcan, but not all troopers carry it. “It's available to all troopers during each shift,” he said, adding Narcan is expensive, and a lot of it is used. Sussex County paramedics also carry Narcan.

Naloxone, under the brandname Narcan, is used to block the effects of an opioid overdose and is typically injected or used as a nose spray.

Delaware Secretary of Homeland Security Robert Coupe said Division of Public Health officials have applied for a grant to purchase more Narcan for troopers. He said some troops have used seized assets to purchase it.

He said statewide there were 345 fatal drug overdoses in 2017 and 308 drug fatalities in 2016.

Increase in pedestrian crashes

Short said one area of concern is a rising trend in pedestrian-related crashes; most are along the Route 1 corridor.

Short said a 38 percent increase in pedestrian-related crashes equates to eight more crashes in 2017 for a total of 29, the highest number on record. Most of the crashes were people not using crosswalks across Route 1. “We are working with DelDOT to get more people to use crosswalks, but it's an ongoing battle. We also work with seasonal workers,” he said.

He said an upward trend has been occurring since 2015.

Route 1 is the hot spot

It comes as no surprise that the hot spot for dedicated patrol to reduce crime and traffic violations is the Route 1 corridor.

Based on data, Troop 7 has a goal of 76 hours a month of dedicated patrol above normal patrol along Route 1 during the times when most crimes are committed. Short said they have been able to reach that goal 84 percent of the time.

Sometime troopers are pulled away from the assignment to answer other calls, Short said.

In addition, the troop has a goal of 104 hours per month for dedicated traffic patrol along Route 1. Short said that goal has been met 88 percent of the time.

Most of the crashes along the Route 1 corridor are rear-end crashes involving motorists not paying attention. “Injury crashes are on the decline, and minor crashes are increasing,” he said.

Short thanked residents for supporting the troop and providing information.

“We get a lot of support from the community,” Short said. “We have to work together to solve the crime problem because we all live here. We are in this together.”

New Troop 7 plans move forward

When asked about the troop's planned move to a new location along Mulberry Knoll Road near the Route 24 intersection, Short said groundbreaking is expected in late summer or early fall.

What's the difference?

Burglary – Unlawful entry into a structure with the intent to commit a crime

Robbery – Stealing property from someone using fear or force

Theft – Taking an object without consent of the owner

Delaware State Police provides information using the following:

Website: dsp.delaware.gov

Facebook: facebook.com/DSPNewsroom

Twitter: twitter.com/DEStatePolice

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