3 killed & 54 injured in alcohol related crashes

Dover – This holiday season, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or another holiday, highway safety officials remind everyone to give the gift of safe driving and keep each other safe on the roads this holiday season by designating a sober driver, limiting distractions in the car, and allowing plenty of time to get to your destination to alleviate aggressive driving behaviors.

According to police reports, there have been a total of 70 alcohol related crashes since Thanksgiving  of this year that have resulted in fifty-four (54) persons injured and three (3) killed.  Subsequently, 54 green light bulbs and 3 red light bulbs will be placed on the DUI Victims Tree which can be found online at www.DUIRealTime.com/Safe-Holiday.   Last year the holiday season ended with 2 red bulbs and 24 green bulbs.

DUI saturation patrols and checkpoints will continue throughout the entire holiday season and will supplement already scheduled Checkpoint Strikeforce DUI Checkpoints.  Last weekend 8 people were arrested for DUI as part of Checkpoint Strikeforce.  This brings the total campaign DUI arrests to 318, however there have been 4,702 DUI arrest made in Delaware since January 1^st.

There are two checkpoint scheduled to occur this weekend as follows:

Friday December 21st                        Bear (New Castle County DUI Task Force)- checkpoint

Saturday December 22^nd Georgetown (multijurisdictional effort)- checkpoint

Preventing drinking and driving is a shared responsibility to save lives; everyone can do their part by with a few simple tips:

• Always plan ahead to designate a non-drinking driver before any party or celebration begins.
• Never get behind the wheel of a car when you’ve been drinking alcohol and never ride with someone who has been drinking – even after just one drink.
• Do not hesitate to take the keys from friends or family members who may be impaired or call a taxi for a friend in need.
• Be a responsible host by reminding guests to stay safe and always offer alcohol-free beverages and protein rich snacks.
• If you encounter an impaired driver on the road, keep a safe distance and ask a passenger to call 911 (or pull over to a safe location to make the call yourself).
• Remember: prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and illegal drugs also can impair your ability to drive safely.
• Always buckle up, avoid distractions, and practice patience behind the wheel this holiday season.

OHS provides suggestions and recipes for non-alcoholic drinks and smart party snacks online at http://www.ohs.delaware.gov/pdfs/2009/safe_family_holiday/OHS_Mocktail_Recipe_Book_v2.pdf

For more information on these or any of our other campaign efforts follow us on Twitter @DEHighwaySafe, visit our website for updates at www.ohs.delaware.gov, www.DUIRealTime.com/Safe-Holidays or Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ArriveAliveDE.

Today Governor Jack A. Markell joined Lewis D. Schiliro, Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security, as Col. Nathaniel McQueen Jr., 46, assumed command of the Delaware State Police.

The Department of Safety and Homeland Security and the Delaware State Police held a Change of Command Ceremony to officially mark the start of Col. McQueen’s role as DSP Superintendent. Col. McQueen, a 24-year DSP veteran, was tapped to lead the State’s largest police agency following the retirement of Col. Robert M. Coupe.

The ceremony which featured the DSP Honor Guard and Pipes and Drums was attended by many members of the Delaware General Assembly and Delaware law enforcement community as well as public safety partners, former DSP Colonels and retirees and the men and women of the Delaware State Police.

“Keeping our fellow citizens safe is state government’s most fundamental responsibility and the Colonel of the Delaware State Police is integral to upholding that responsibility,” said Governor Markell. “When it comes to a Colonel, people expect a leader with integrity, character and good judgment. Colonel McQueen has a reputation for being able to relate to anyone and has already displayed strength of leadership as a strong manager. I am confident he is fully prepared for this position and will serve the Delaware State Police and the people of Delaware well.”

“Col. McQueen is a highly qualified, experienced and proven leader with expansive knowledge of the Delaware State Police and its operations” Sec. Schiliro said. I have full faith and confidence in his ability to lead the men and women of the Delaware State Police and to serve the citizens of our State. As he has during his career, he will continue to lead with integrity and compassion.”

“I am truly blessed and honored by the privilege to serve as the 25th Superintendent of the Delaware State Police. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Governor Markell and Secretary Schiliro for giving me this opportunity to serve,” Col. McQueen said. “The Delaware State Police is an agency rich in history and tradition. As we approach our 90th anniversary, we will continue to enhance the quality of life for all Delaware citizens and visitors by providing professional, competent law enforcement services.”

-More-

Maj. McQueen joined the DSP ranks in 1988 and has served in many leadership roles during his career. Leadership roles include Operations Major managing all troops statewide; Troop Commander at Troop 1 Penny Hill, Troop 2 Bear, and Troop 9 Odessa; Patrol Lieutenant at Troop 3 Camden and Deputy Troop Commander at Troop 2 CIU responsible for the Major Crimes Unit; Domestic Violence Unit; Polygraph Examiner; and Youth Aid Unit. In addition, Maj. McQueen worked as a patrol and detective sergeant and served as the DSP sketch artist. He was a member of the DSP Critical Incident Stress Management Team and the Officer In-Charge of the DSP Honor Guard Unit. In 1991, Maj. McQueen received the Delaware State Police Valor Award.

Maj. McQueen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral Science from Wilmington University and a Master of Science degree in Social Work from Delaware State University. He is also a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy—the West Point of law enforcement. Before joining the Delaware State Police, he served as Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Maj. McQueen resides in Bear with his wife, Freda. He is the proud father of two children, Nathan and Nayla.

Video from the ceremony is on YouTube

Newark –An online undercover Child Predator Task Force Investigation into the online distribution of child pornography has led to the arrest of a Newark man on multiple counts, Attorney General Beau Biden announced today.
 
“This case highlights why we need the Child Predator Task Force and its single-minded dedication to protecting our kids,” Biden stated.
 
The investigation led to the execution of a search warrant on December 19 by Task Force personnel, along with support from Delaware State Police Troopers, at a residence on Mandolin Court, Old Mill Village, Newark.  While executing the search warrant, detectives identified resident John M. Figura, age 42, a person of interest in the investigation, and took him to Troop #2 for questioning.  Detectives also seized several computers, large amounts of digital devices, and other physical evidence depicting images of children.  A forensic preview of the seized evidence revealed multiple videos of child pornography. 
 
Based on the evidence, Figura was arrested and charged with 25 counts of Dealing in Child Pornography.  He was arraigned by videophone by JP Court #2 and was taken to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in lieu of $1.5 million cash bail.
 
The investigation continues.
 
A booking image of Figura follows:

 
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Governor Markell is asking Delawareans to join with the residents of Connecticut in observing a moment of silence on Friday at 9:30 a.m. in memory of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

“The people of Delaware have grieved and prayed for the people of Newtown, Conn. We have been joined in that grief by those from around the country and around the world. Governor Malloy of Connecticut has declared a day of mourning on Friday, December 21, and has asked his fellow governors to observe a moment of silence as well. So I request that Delawareans join the moment of silence at 9:30 a.m. on Friday to reflect and remember the lives that were lost so heartbreakingly, and to consider what we can do as individuals, as communities, as a state and as a country  to prevent future tragedies. I also suggest that churches or other institutions with the ability to do so toll 26 chimes in memory of the victims.”

Connecticut Gov. Malloy’s proclamation: http://governor.delaware.gov/docs/20121221dayofmourning.pdf

DOVER – Former state Senate President Pro Tempore and Secretary of Finance Richard S. Cordrey was honored Wednesday for his 35 years in public service to the State of Delaware with the renaming of the state Department of Agriculture headquarters in his honor.

 Cordrey, a Millsboro-area farmer, is the longest-serving Senate President Pro Tempore in Delaware history, serving in that role for 20 years and as a senator for 24 years. Before being elected to the Senate, Cordrey served two years in the House of Representatives. He also served as Secretary of Finance after his retirement from the Senate.

 “Senator Cordrey’s long service to the people of Delaware is an example of true dedication,” said GovernorJack Markell. “His three decades in public office were spent tirelessly working for his constituents and the greater good of the State.”

 “Senator Cordrey has always been a strong voice for Delaware farmers,” said Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee. “He knows the land, having worked it since his childhood, and he knows the people, as a native son of Sussex County.”

 Senate Bill 249, which named the building after Cordrey, passed unanimously in both chambers during the last General Assembly Session.

 “He is a tremendous asset to our state,” said Rep. John Atkins, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and a primary sponsor of the bill. “I have known Senator Cordrey my entire life – my grandfather worked for his father, and continued to work for him. The contributions he has made to agriculture have been invaluable. I was very pleased to be able to sponsor this bill.”

 “When you look at everything Senator Cordrey has done, this is a fitting tribute,” said former Sen. George H. Bunting Jr., a primary sponsor of the bill. “He’s been around agriculture all his life and earned great respect in the agricultural and business communities and, of course, he was the longest-serving pro tem in the history of the Senate and was a great mentor to many of us. Working with his sons, he’s still active in the business community, so I was pleased to have been able to do that for him.”

 Senator Cordrey said the dedication was an immense honor. “If I had any choice of any building to have my name put upon, it would be this one right here,” he said. “I have had the two best jobs anyone has ever had in the world – being a legislator and being a farmer.”

 Senator Cordrey was born and raised in Millsboro, where he still lives. He graduated from Millsboro High School and Goldey-Beacom College, and after serving in the U.S. Army, returned to Millsboro, where he would own and operate R.S.C. Farms for more than 50 years.

 He met his wife, Mary Jane, at Goldey-Beacom, and they were married in 1953. The couple has two sons, Rick and Steve, who are owners of East Coast Garden Center and the Cordrey Center in Millsboro.

 Senator Cordrey was elected to the state House of Representatives in 1970 and the state Senate in 1972. He was chosen as Senate Majority Leader in 1974, and in 1976 began his record 20-year service as Senate President Pro Tempore. He also served on the Millsboro Town Council from 1965 to 1973. He retired from the Senate in 1996, and was selected by Gov. Ruth Ann Minner to serve as Secretary of Finance from 2005 to 2009.