Delaware State Police Troop 5, located on US 13 east of Bridgeville is responsible for full service policing to the citizens of western Sussex County. Troop 5 is responsible for patrolling approximately 450 square miles making up the majority of Sussex County. The area served by Troop 5 has historically been a rural region with farmland scattering the landscape. A substantial portion of this farmland has given way to development placing a larger demand on police services.
Troop 5 is comprised of thirty-six uniformed officers, four school resource officers, three civilian personnel, and one child seat technician funded through the Office of Highway Safety.
Troop 5 opened the doors to its new building in October of 2005. All employees working there welcomed a new up-to-date facility. New computer workstations, an expanded evidence locker, a community room, and an updated processing area are just a few amenities included in the new building. The facility is also shared with the Sussex County Paramedics. This new public safety complex should serve the citizens in this area well into the future.
The workload continued in 2005 for the officers at Troop 5. Patrol units at Troop 5 answered 12,584 calls for service. They also handled 533 DUI arrests, 13,778 traffic arrests, and 2,642 criminal arrests. The traffic arrest productivity was nothing less than outstanding when one considers the patrol or discretionary time of 19% compared to other nondiscretionary activity.
Troop 5 staff planned an initiative in Coverdale Crossroads in the fall of 2005. This area has been known as an open-air drug market. Known offenders and wanted individuals also resided in this neighborhood. A cooperative effort involving SIU, GTF, Probation and Parole, and other special units carried out the initiative. The results were significant. A total of eleven search warrants were executed with forty-eight defendants arrested on a total of 164 charges. The goal of returning the community to the descent law-abiding citizens was achieved.
Cpl/3 Valerie Robinson headed up the Needy Family Project once again. Troop 5 was able to pay utility bills and buy groceries of those needing assistance through donations from the community. An air conditioning unit was also purchased for the Early Childhood Development Center in Coverdale Crossroads.
Members from Troop 5 participated in numerous community events throughout the year. Seaford Night Out, the Troop 5 Explorer Program, and Ducks Unlimited
Family Day are to name a few. Other troop areas were assisted by Troop 5 by sending officers to the City of Wilmington for foot patrols, The Delaware
State Fair Detail, NASCAR events at Dover Downs, and the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
Trooper First Class Pat Stock was awarded the annual Troop 5 Trooper of the Year Award. TFC Stock exhibited an outstanding work ethic in his overall work performance in 2005. He looked beyond the ticket during traffic stops and was able to gather pertinent criminal intelligence during his contacts on patrol. He worked together with detectives from Troop 4 and was able to assist in solving numerous felony crimes based on this intelligence.
The accomplishments by the members of Troop 5 in 2005 are vast. Everyone pulled together as one for the common goal of serving the citizens of Delaware within the Troop’s patrolled area, in the county they serve, and ultimately statewide with multi-jurisdictional initiatives.
