Throughout 2005, Troop 7 members focused on crime prevention and reduction, and highway safety as they provided professional, competent and compassionate law enforcement services with the goal of improving the quality of life for our citizens and visitors.
Delaware State Police Troop 7 is located on Delaware Route 1 at Lewes. Troop 7 provides full service policing to the residents and visitors to Delaware’s coastal region. During 2005, Troop 7’s staff consisted of 42 uniformed troopers, three administrative officers, four members of the Sussex County Fatal Accident Investigation and Reconstruction Team (FAIR), a School Resources Officer and three civilian employees.
As in previous years, Troop 7’s complaint load increased slightly as Troop 7 officers handled 18,833 complaints and made 4020 criminal arrest in 2005. This was an increase of 859 complaints and 654 criminal arrests over 2004. Troop 7’s traffic enforcement consisted of 13,035 traffic arrests of which 454 were for Driving Under the Influence. This enforcement resulted in a second consecutive year that Troop 7 has reduced the number of fatalities on its roadways from a high of 22 in 2003 to 15 in 2004 and 7 in 2005.
Troop 7’s crime prevention and reduction efforts were coordinated by Lieutenant George R. Chamberlain, who retired from the Division in June after 25 years of service, and Lieutenant Richard Cohee who arrived at Troop 7 in September. These efforts focused on the expansion of our Neighborhood Watch Program, the reduction of the number of active warrants, a Troop Misdemeanor Detective, The Long Neck / Oak Orchard First Annual Night Out, and a Quick Response Team that responded to Troop 7 criminal hot spots.
The Quick Response Team was formed in October and operated through December as manpower permitted. Corporals William Crotty and Chad Harmon were assigned to this Team and worked closely with Troop 4 detectives, the Governors Task Force, and the Special Investigations Unit. This initiative resulted in 38 criminal arrests, 35 traffic arrests, the apprehension of five wanted individuals, the recovery of 142 grams of crack, 1302 grams of marijuana, over $7,000.00 in United States currency and three knives. The initiative proved extremely beneficial to Troop 7’s crime reduction strategies.
Troop 7 also saw a dramatic decrease in the number individuals that were wanted for various criminal offenses that occurred in the Troop 7 territory. This number reached a high of 93 and was reduced by 36% to 59 by December of 2005.
The Misdemeanor Detective Program was utilized throughout 2005 as manpower permitted. Under the leadership of Master Corporal William Matt, Troop 7’s Neighborhood Watch Program grew and the CAPS program (Citizens Assisting Police Services) with volunteers Hugh Sampson and Robert Dietrich continued to provide support to local businesses and investigations.
As Troop 7’s population continues to grow, so do the traffic issues. Lieutenant Roger Willey coordinated the highway safety initiatives at Troop 7. Throughout 2005, Troop 7 personnel met with state highway officials, community leaders and state legislators to plan roadway improvements along Delaware Route 1 and surrounding roadways.
With the increase of bicyclist traffic along the Delaware Route 1 corridor, it has become increasingly important to provide education along with enforcement measures to our highway safety strategies. During the summer of 2005, Troop 7 used the Motorcycle Unit and school resource officers to patrol the Route 1 corridor. The officers assigned to this project provided helmets, lights, and safety brochures to those cyclist found riding along the Route 1 Corridor. Troop 7 also partnered with local businesses to provide Bicyclist Safe Riders seminars at local schools.
In 2005, Troop 7 saw another decrease in fatalities on our roadways. Several enforcement and non-enforcement initiatives were utilized in our efforts. These included directed patrols, DUI Saturation Patrols and road blocks, Seatbelt and Child Safety Seat Check Points, school bus enforcement patrols, and the Troopers Educating About Roadway Safety (T.E.A.R.S.) program administered by the FAIR Unit.
Driving Under the Influence offenses continue to be one of the key components of our traffic enforcement and several officers were honored by Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, MADD, for their efforts. The officers recognized were Master Corporal William Matt, Corporal Timothy Wollansky, Corporal Matthew Warrington, Corporal Hudson Keller, Trooper First Class Margaret O’bara, Trooper First Class Nicole Oldham and Trooper First Class Mark Dawson.
In 2005 Troop 7 continued its support of many community programs and events. Troop 7 also continued their strong tradition of community service through fundraising events.
There were many exemplary performances by members of Troop 7 during 2005. Trooper First Class Jeffrey D. Ballinger, Trooper William Booth, Corporal William Crotty, Corporal Gary Fournier, Corporal Chad Harmon, Master Corporal Brian Maher, Corporal 1 Ryan J. Mitchell Trooper First Class Jay Porter Master Corporal Kevin Smith, Trooper First Class Matthew Warrington received the Division’s Exceptional Performance Award. Lifesaving Awards were received by Corporal William Crotty and Trooper Lewis W. Briggs III. At the Troop 7 Christmas Party, Troop 7 honored Trooper First Class Mark Dawson, Corporal Dallas Reynolds, and Trooper First Class Jeffrey Ballinger as they received the Trooper of the Quarter Awards for 2005. Corporal Hudson Keller received the Troop 7 Trooper of Year Award for his dedication to provide outstanding police services to the citizens and visitors of Delaware through exceptional performance, commitment to the division activities and community involvement.
Throughout 2005, Troop 7 continued to build, foster and improve our community partnerships as we strove to meet the mission of the Delaware State Police. This same commitment is necessary as the men and women of Troop 7 face the challenges of 2006.
