Wilmington, DE – Governor Markell brought together state NAACP and law enforcement leaders Friday to discuss issues around the relationship between the police and the African-American community and ways to help ensure safety and opportunity for all Delawareans. The meeting specifically addressed future use of body cameras by law enforcement, with agreement that use of the cameras are inevitable and a positive step, but that some key questions must be resolved before they are deployed to ensure their success. Attending the meeting with the Governor were Department of Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Lew Schiliro and State Police Colonel Nate McQueen, along with State NAACP President Richard “Mouse” Smith, who was joined by Jane Hovington, President of the Lower Sussex Branch of the NAACP, and Fay Blake, Economic Development Chair of the Lower Sussex Branch.

They released the following statements about the discussion:

“I thank the leaders of the State NAACP for all of their efforts to advance civil rights in our state,” said Markell. “We had an important discussion laying out the issues that need to be resolved to responsibly introduce body cameras in our state. Just as importantly, we talked about the need to continue to have an open dialogue about the issues facing our African-American community and to help build trust between their community and our law enforcement.”

“The State NAACP had a very positive meeting with Governor Markell, Secretary Schiliro and Colonel McQueen,” said Smith. “This is part of an important process of bringing together the community and law enforcement to introduce these cameras in the right way. We want the benefits of the cameras, but also to ensure that the rights of the citizens and the police are recognized, respected, and protected. We thank the Governor and State Police for agreeing that this is an important issue and that we need to move forward to meet the concerns of the citizens of Delaware.”

“We know the use of body cameras is inevitable and we view these cameras as a positive step that can help protect the rights of citizens and the police,” said Lew Schiliro, Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security. “We will need to address privacy, procedural, and technical issues and look forward to continuing to work with NAACP and other organizations to get our policies right around these cameras.”

“I appreciated the opportunity to take part in this constructive dialogue with the NAACP and ensure we are addressing these issues together,” said State Police Colonel Nate McQueen. “I look forward to continuing the dialogue.”

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Completes Long and Arduous Process to Meet More than 100 Standards

Dover – Today, Governor Jack Markell, members of the State General Assembly, and Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Lewis D. Schiliro recognized Capitol Police for earning State accreditation.

“The State accreditation process raises the standards for our law enforcement agencies and sets the mark for excellence,” said Governor Markell. “Achieving accreditation is not only of great benefit to Capitol Police, but also to the citizens they serve to protect. We commend Capitol Police for dedicating their time and energy towards meeting the more than 100 standards set forth by their peers.”

Capitol Police, led by Chief John Horsman, worked through a long and arduous process to meet the standards as required by the Delaware Police Accreditation Commission (DPAC). In 2008, DPAC was formed to develop State standards as it relates to technical support, operations support and training support for local police agencies.

“The events surrounding last year’s shooting incident at the New Castle County Courthouse demonstrated with certainty the great need for training, good policies and procedures and above all strong leadership. We celebrate Capitol Police’s attainment of accreditation that highlights the professionalism, dedication and exemplary commitment to the high standards in law enforcement,” said Secretary Schiliro who also serves as the DPAC Chair.

Local police chiefs had been committed to creating a set of uniform standards and worked on this task for more than 10 years as members of the Delaware Police Chiefs Accreditation Committee.  However, the establishment of DPAC allowed the chiefs to join with other members of the public safety community to fast forward this process.

“It is with great pride that the Delaware Capitol Police has achieved this milestone. State Accreditation is more than pieces of paper with standards and polices printed on them. We must comply and practice these standards on a daily basis. In everything we do, we will strive to do it with excellence,” said Chief Horsman.

DOVER (March 28, 2013) – To achieve public compliance through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Enforcement agents made 597 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters and the general public, including 12 boating safety checks, in which all but one vessel operator was found to be in compliance. Agents also responded to 15 complaints and issued 5 citations between March 20 and 27.

Citations issued by violation type included the following, with the number of charges in parentheses:

Wildlife Conservation: Operating a motor vehicle at excessive speed in a state wildlife area (1), operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway in a state wildlife area (1), and dumping in a state wildlife area (1), New Castle County; Trespassing after hours in a state wildlife area (1), Kent County.

Boating Safety: Insufficient number of life jackets aboard vessel (1), Kent County.

Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Training
Fish and Wildlife agents Sr. Cpl. Casey Zolper and K-9 Warden attended a week of quarterly training in Maryland March 18-22, joining Maryland Department of Natural Resources dogs and handlers to practice their tracking, evidence recovery and wildlife detection skills. Sr. Cpl. Zolper trained K-9 Warden to alert on the scent of river herring to help in locating illegally caught herring. As of this spring, Zolper and Warden have been partners for seven years. Since Warden joined the Enforcement Section in 2006, he and Zolper have tracked missing people and evasive suspects, located key evidence in wildlife conservation and criminal cases, and represented the Delaware Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section in public demonstrations of Warden’s specialized skills.

Are you AWARE?
With signs of spring in the air, the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section and the Delaware Office of Boating Safety would like to remind early season boaters and anglers of the importance of life jackets. “Statistics show that not wearing life jackets is one of the leading causes of boating fatalities in the state of Delaware as well as nationwide, and that 80 percent of these fatalities could have been prevented by life jacket use,” said Sgt. Gregory Rhodes, Delaware Boating Safety Office. “Like seatbelts in automobiles, we know without question that life jackets save lives.”

In Delaware, life jackets also are the law – and the law requires that owners/operators of recreational vessels carry one readily accessible life jacket for each person aboard, and that children age 12 and younger wear a life jacket while underway in any vessel on Delaware waters. (Minimum fine for violations: $76.50)

“Vessel operators are responsible to make sure that children aboard their boat are wearing life jackets – and they can set the example by also wearing one,” Sgt. Rhodes said. “Although the law does not require ages 13 and older to wear a life jacket, we strongly recommend life jacket use by everyone aboard a vessel in Delaware waters, especially anyone with limited swimming skills. It’s a smart choice that can prevent an unnecessary tragedy.”

Even on days when the air is warm, boaters also should remember that water temperatures are still cold – currently 43 to 45 degrees, Sgt. Rhodes said, noting that immersion in cooler water can lead to hypothermia very quickly, in which the body instinctively protects its core by shutting down blood flow to limbs first. The Coast Guard recommends wearing layers for protection and warmth, including gloves and a hat. Recommended gear also includes a floatation coat or survival suit, which also acts a life jacket, or a dry suit, which keeps water out and, with thermal layers beneath, keeps warmth in. 

Sgt. Rhodes added these tips:

• If you fall overboard or capsize, stay with your boat for a better chance of being found sooner.
• Keep clothing on to help retain heat.
• Keep your cell phone in a secure pocket and sealed in a plastic bag.
• Carry a personal position locator beacon, a personal emergency locator light and/or flares, and a whistle to make noise and attract the attention of rescuers.
• Pack a set of dry clothing in a sealed plastic bag.
• File a “float plan” with a responsible friend or family member. Include a description of your boat, when you plan to head out, who is going with you, where you plan to go and when you plan to return.  

“Filing a float plan is always a good idea, because unforeseen circumstances can hit boaters in any season at any time, including a storm, engine problems, swamping, and injuries or other health issues,” Sgt. Rhodes said. “With your plans in hand, a friend or family member can call for help if you’re overdue and tell searchers where to begin looking for you, saving precious time.” 

For more information on safe boating practices in Delaware, including an easy-to-use float plan form, please visit www.fw.delaware.gov/Boating/BoatingSafety.htm.

 The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters and boaters who comply with and support Delaware’s fishing, hunting and boating laws and regulations. Citizens are encouraged to report fish and wildlife and boating violations to the Delaware Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section by calling 302-739-4580. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Hunting/Pages/OpGameTheft.aspx .

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902, or Sgt. Gregory Rhodes, Division of Fish & Wildlife Enforcement, 302-542-6102. 

Vol. 43, No. 118

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Are You Prepared To Take A Life? DUI Can Kill More Than Just You’re Buzz.

Dover – The Delaware Office of Highway Safety along with multiple police agencies statewide are reminding motorists that drinking and driving is against the law and after a few drinks you’re a potential killer behind the wheel by launching the 11th annual Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign this weekend.

“We must remain vigilant in our efforts to prevent impaired driving on Delaware roadways and with Checkpoint Strikeforce we will again use a two prong approach that combines enhanced enforcement with public education to target impaired drivers,” said Department of Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Lewis D. Schiliro. “It is important that we not only use enforcement to remove drunk drivers but also teach the public about the dangers of impaired driving.”

Last year alcohol was involved in 37% of the 97 fatal crashes of which resulted in 37 individuals killed. Of the 66 drivers killed in fatal crashes, 52% of them were under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.  So far this year, seven of 43 traffic deaths (16%) have been alcohol-related compared to 34% at this time last year.

Three DUI checkpoints are schedule to take place this weekend.

Checkpoints are scheduled for:

Friday June 29th – Newport – (NcCo DUI Task Force) – checkpoint

Saturday June 30th –  Woodside/Magnolia -(DSP Troop 3)- checkpoint

Georgetown- (Multi-jurisdictional effort)- checkpoint

“Impaired driving is a crime, a 100% preventable crime.  The simple fact is that drugs and alcohol impair a person’s ability to drive safely,” said Lisa Shaw, Deputy Director of the Office of Highway Safety. “That is why OHS and Delaware law enforcement are once again launching the Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign.  The high visibility impaired driving enforcement initiative provides additional DUI checkpoints on Delaware roadways, and cracks down on impaired drivers.  This summer, designate a sober driver.  The responsibility belongs to each of us.”

There are eighty-one (81) sobriety checkpoints scheduled to take place during the six month long Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign.  There will also be stepped up enforcement during peak holiday times including Labor Day, Halloween, and the month of December with additional DUI saturation patrols statewide.

The New Castle County DUI Task Force will again be conducting sobriety checkpoints throughout the county during the campaign.  The DUI Task Force is comprised of officers from the Division of Alcohol Tobacco Enforcement (DATE), Division of Capitol Police, Middletown PD, New Castle City PD, New Castle County PD, Newark PD, Newport PD, University of Delaware PD, and Wilmington PD.   Delaware State Police will also participate as part of this Task Force.

This year, OHS has partnered with Dover PD, Georgetown PD, Rehoboth Beach PD, Milford PD, Seaford PD, Harrington PD, and Smyrna PD to coordinate multi-jurisdictional checkpoints within their town limits throughout the next six months.  Agencies that will be assisting with these multi-jurisdictional checkpoints include Blades PD, Bridgeville PD, Camden PD, Capitol PD, Clayton PD, the Division of Alcohol & Tobacco Enforcement, Dewey Beach PD, Felton PD, Greenwood PD, Harrington PD, Laurel PD, Milford PD, Milton PD, Smyrna PD, and Wyoming PD.

The campaign’s enforcement activities will be supplemented by an all new intense public awareness and education campaign that highlight the realities and consequences of a DUI in Delaware in the form of T.V., radio spots, billboards, print, internet ads, and website www.DUIRealTime.com.  OHS will tally the total number of DUI arrests made during the year in Delaware and display the total on one featured billboard in each county and on the website DUIRealTime.com.  The featured billboards are located at Wilmington I-95 southbound, north Dover Route US 13 southbound, and Georgetown Route 113 northbound.   OHS’s corporate partners will also receive flyers, posters, and table tents to display and help spread the message.

Those convicted of a first time DUI offense in Delaware may spend up to 1 year in prison, and will lose their license, attend an 8-week DUI treatment class and pay thousands of dollars in court, treatment, DMV, and lawyer’s fees.

Checkpoint Strikeforce is a regional sobriety checkpoint campaign aimed at arresting DUI offenders by using high visibility enforcement to deter those who would otherwise choose to drink and drive.  The campaign is a six month long effort coordinated locally by the Delaware Office of Highway Safety and involves setting up weekly DUI checkpoints & patrols statewide.  Officers participating in the 2011 campaign made 490 DUI arrests.

For more information and resources on Checkpoint Strikeforce visit www.ohs.delaware.gov, www.DUIRealTime.com and follow regular campaign updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DEHighwaySafe, Facebook www.facebook.com/ArriveAliveDE, and subscribe to YouTube channel DelawareOHS.