Captain Ronald W. Hagan

Delaware State Police Troop Seven, located on State Route 1 just outside Lewes provides full service policing to the residents on the eastern third of Sussex County. This area continues to be one of the fastest growing regions in the state. Currently, there are forty-seven uniformed officers, three civilian personnel and two volunteers assigned to Troop 7. Included in the forty-seven uniformed officers are three Troop Administrators and the four members of the Sussex County Crash Reconstruction Unit (CRU).

Troop Seven’s territory encompasses over four hundred and fifty square miles of very diverse communities. Much of the inland area consists of farmland and retirement communities. In contrast, the area is also home to the Rehoboth Outlets which is one of the largest outlet centers in the world with more than one hundred and forty retail stores. Bounded on the east by the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean, the area is a major vacation resort drawing thousands of people from the Washington, Baltimore, Wilmington and Pennsylvania metropolitan areas. This area continues to grow at a rapid pace as more people make this area their year-round residence. This has increased the demand for police services.

During 2008, the men and women of Troop Seven investigated 18,856 complaints, made 17,254 traffic arrests, 624 DUI arrests and 2,640 criminal arrests. In addition, the CRU investigated 34 fatal accidents resulting in 42 deaths and 24 serious injury crashes, 12 of those fatal crashes occurred in Troop 7’s area. Traffic safety is always one of Troop 7’s top priorities. During 2008 Troop 7’s personnel employed directed patrols, DUI assignments, seatbelt assignments, school bus enforcement and public awareness programs to enhance the safety of our roadways. The Troopers Educating About Roadway Safety (T.E.A.R.S.) program administered by the CRU team continues to be a big success with high school students. An initiative began several years ago and continued in 2008 was a cooperative effort between Troop 7, DelDot and Sussex Cyclist, Inc. which provided safety equipment and education to cyclists in and around the Route 1 corridor during the summer months. This initiative has been very successful in reducing the number of vehicle versus bicycle related crashes. All of these efforts go together to foster a good relationship with the communities we serve.

Troop 7 continues to have a very strong and active Neighborhood Watch Program. The communities meet every other month to discuss any current issues and problems occurring in their neighborhoods with the Troop Administration. The Program continues to be very well accepted as the public feels they have a legitimate avenue to express their concerns in a very informal atmosphere with the one person who can effect change in police services. Our Citizens Assisting Police Services (CAPS) program which currently has two volunteers is an instrumental part of organizing and running the Neighborhood Watch Program. During 2008 our two citizen volunteers logged over 640 hour assisting Troop 7 with the Community Watch Program along with several other initiatives.

Troop Seven will continue to focus on crime reduction, highway safety and community relations in 2009 as a means of providing the best possible services to the citizens and guests of our great state.

- Information obtained from 2008 DSP Annual Report -