Felton, DE — Governor Jack Markell and Delaware’s Chief Information Officer (CIO) James Collins launched Cyber Security Awareness Month in Delaware in the company of 300 fourth grade students, teachers, staff and Lake Forest School Board members. The Governor signed a formal proclamation signifying that Delaware is joining a growing global effort among colleges, universities, businesses, government agencies, associations, nonprofit organizations, and individuals to promote online safety awareness.

Celebrated every October, National Cyber Security Awareness Month was created as a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure everyone has the resources needed to stay safe and secure online. The Department of Technology and Information leads the program in Delaware and works to tailor cyber education and awareness materials to meet the needs of all Delawareans from students to seniors to small businesses.

“The Internet has transformed every aspect of our society,” said Governor Markell. “It has created tremendous new opportunities for our people and provides a wonderful resource for our students. But the growing importance of online activity also means we must increase our focus on safety and security, from protecting our networks from hackers to rooting out cyberbullying. I’m pleased to recognize October as Cyber Security Awareness month in Delaware to emphasize that we all have a shared responsibility to use and promote safe cyber practices.”

DTI first celebrated Cyber Security Awareness Month in 2006, with a few small public outreach activities. One of the most important and popular programs began that year when an interactive presentation was developed to take the stay safe online message to Delaware students. The program has grown each year and over 33,000 fourth graders statewide have benefitted from the information. A core of volunteer presenters from state government, Delaware Technical and Community College, Verizon, JP Morgan Chase give their time to visit children in their own schools and share their knowledge.

“One of the things I’m most proud of at DTI is the ability to share our staff’s broad knowledge with others. Our fourth grade presentation program is exceptional because it reinforces the computer education already being taught in our schools. Cyber safety should be a part of every school’s curriculum” said CIO Collins.

DTI’s award winning cyber security website is the focus of several marketing efforts using various media sources to direct Delawareans to the website. It is updated continuously and provides information and resources for nearly every cyber safety question.

The Governor encourages all Delawareans to take the opportunity to increase their cyber awareness during October and to spread the word among their family, friends and colleagues. One of the easiest ways to start is to visit http://digiknow.dti.delaware.gov.

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Wilmington, DE – Governor Jack Markell announced he will lift the Limited State of Emergency for Sussex County effective at 1 p.m. today (full order below).

Strong winds over the weekend held water in the inland bays, causing extremely high tides throughout the state and requiring several roads to be closed, and a Coastal Flood Advisory remains in effect for Kent and Sussex Counties until 7 p.m.

“Thousands of State and local government officials continue to work across Delaware to ensure the safety of residents effected by this weather,” said Governor Markell. “I want to thank first responders for their swift actions to support those in need during this event. Though the precipitation has ended, the impact from the rain and wind will continue until water levels recede. We encourage motorists to avoid driving through flooded roads and contact local agencies if they require assistance or support.”

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TERMINATION OF A LIMITED STATE OF EMERGENCY

FOR SUSSEX COUNTY

            WHEREAS, Sussex County experienced significant tidal flooding caused by a Nor’easter system over the last four days, resulting in closures of flooded roads, power outages, and business closures; and

WHEREAS, I instituted a limited state of emergency in Sussex County, effective at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2015, to address that coastal flooding; and

WHEREAS, many first responders from fire companies, police departments, the National Guard, DelDOT, Sussex County, and other governments and agencies assisted throughout the weekend by assisting motorists, helping residents, and securing property; and

WHEREAS, the flooding caused road damage and shoreline erosion, but expected tides over the next several cycles are expected to diminish, and Hurricane Joaquim has now moved well offshore, so the conditions that necessitated declaring a State of Emergency are no longer present;

NOW THEREFORE, I, JACK A. MARKELL, hereby declare:

1. My declaration of a limited state of emergency dated October 2, 2015 is terminated for Sussex County effective immediately.

2. Pursuant to 20 C. § 3116(a)(11), the Delaware National Guard shall continue to provide necessary assistance to state and local activities, at the discretion of the Adjutant General or his designee.

APPROVED this October 5, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. E.D.T.

Coastal flood warnings in effect along Atlantic Coast and Delaware Bay

Wilmington, DE – With moderate to major coastal flooding expected at high tides today and tomorrow, along with high wind warnings along the coast, Governor Jack Markell has issued a Limited State of Emergency for Sussex County, effective immediately.  State offices will remain open and no driving restrictions are being implemented, however localized road closures may occur as conditions warrant it.  See full text below.

Residents of flood-prone areas of Sussex County and throughout Delaware are at risk of significant flooding and residents of those areas should seriously consider taking precautionary measures, including evacuating voluntarily or planning for potential evacuation and use of travel routes around flooded streets and roads.  A list of flood-prone areas is included below.

“Though predicted rainfall totals have dropped and the expected path of Hurricane Joaquin remains well off-coast, high winds and coastal flooding will significantly impact Sussex County,” said Governor Markell. “State and local officials are taking the necessary steps to prepare for possible evacuations and road closures and the National Guard has been deployed to Kent and Sussex Counties to support those efforts, as needed. Residents in flood-prone areas of the state should prepare accordingly and continue to monitor communications from state and local agencies for updates.”

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Flood-Prone Areas of Sussex County

Sussex County Delaware Bay Communities

Slaughter Beach

Prime Hook Beach

Broadkill Beach

Lewes Beach, east of the Rehoboth Lewes canal

 

Sussex County Ocean Coastal Communities

Areas within ¾ of a mile of the coast in the following communities:

Henlopen Acres

Rehoboth Beach

Dewey Beach

North Bethany

Bethany Beach

South Bethany

Fenwick Island

 

Sussex County Inland Bay Communities

Areas surrounding the Rehoboth Bay, Indian River and Little Assawoman Bay

Flood-prone areas south of Route 24 (John J. Williams Highway) including Angola, Long Neck and Oak Orchard

Flood-prone areas along Route 26 (Vines Creek Road and Atlantic Avenue)

Flood-prone areas along Route 54 (Lighthouse Road)

 

Sussex County Western Communities

Flood-prone areas in close proximity to the Nanticoke and Broad Creek Rivers

WHEREAS, as of Friday, October 2, 2015, a Nor’easter system has affected the State of Delaware and is projected to continue to impact the State as Hurricane Joaquim moves north and interacts with the system, and

WHEREAS, rain and high tides from that system have resulted in flooding conditions in Sussex County, Delaware; and

WHEREAS, weather conditions throughout Sussex County and continuing for the remainder of the week and into the weekend may continue to exacerbate said flooding; and

WHEREAS, the effects of this storm system threaten public safety and have the potential to cause major damage to the infrastructure of Sussex County; and

WHEREAS, based upon evidence presented to me by the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, I have found that the potential for the occurrence of an emergency is high in Sussex County; and

WHEREAS, flood-prone areas of Sussex County and throughout Delaware are at risk of significant flooding, and residents of those areas should seriously consider taking precautionary measures, including evacuating voluntarily or planning for potential evacuation and use of travel routes around flooded streets and roads; and

WHEREAS, it is necessary to pre-stage and potentially deploy resources and assets of the Delaware National Guard in anticipation of responding to any such threats to public safety;

NOW THEREFORE, I, JACK A. MARKELL, pursuant to Title 20, Chapter 31 of the Delaware Code, do hereby declare a Limited State of Emergency for Sussex County, Delaware.  This Limited State of Emergency is effective on October 2, 2015, as of 12:00 p.m.  The nature of the emergency is flooding and its potential effects caused by the storm beginning October 1, 2015, and continuing thereafter.  Along with such other actions authorized by Title 20, Chapter 31 of the Delaware Code, I specifically direct and authorize:

1. All departments and agencies of the State of Delaware shall assist in response and recovery activities, as directed by and in coordination with the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, necessary in those areas of Sussex County affected by the storm.

2. The Delaware National Guard shall take precautionary or responsive actions directed by the Director of the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, in consultation with the Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security, upon request by local authorities in impacted areas of Sussex County.

3. The Delaware Emergency Management Agency shall activate the State Emergency Operations Plan and cooperate with federal authorities, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency in making application, if necessary for relief and assistance for those towns and communities adversely affected by the continuing storms, pursuant to the Delaware Emergency Operations Plan and any potentially applicable federal disaster or emergency relief laws, including but not limited to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

4. Unless otherwise directed, all normal operations of State government shall continue without interruption.

5. I reserve the right to take, or direct state or local authorities to take, without issuance of further written order, any other necessary actions authorized by Title 20, Chapter 31 of the Delaware Code to respond to this emergency.

Approved this 2nd day of October, 2015, at 12:00 p.m.

Solicits camera suppliers to participate in trial evaluation of the use of cameras to enhance public safety

Wilmington, DE – Following an extensive evaluation by the Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) of the benefits and challenges of effectively implementing body cameras on law enforcement officers, Governor Markell and DSHS Secretary Lew Schiliro today announced plans for State and Municipal police officers to participate in a 30-45 day trial, using about a dozen body cameras throughout the state. The State has released a Request for Information (RFI) that asks camera manufacturers to submit proposals for how they would supply the state’s needs to execute the pilot.

The pilot program follows a meeting between the Governor, Secretary Schiliro, Colonel McQueen, and representatives of the NAACP late last year, when participants agreed use of these cameras would be an inevitable and a positive step to support both law enforcement activities and the rights of Delaware citizens. However, they also emphasized the need to address a number of complex privacy, procedural, and technical issues to ensure successful deployment of the cameras.

“I am convinced that effective use of body cameras can both help police officers protect our citizens while strengthening trust between law enforcement and all of the communities they serve,” said Governor Markell. “I thank Secretary Schiliro and everyone involved for all of their work that has brought us to this point and look forward to what the results of the pilot program will tell us about the best path forward for wide use of these cameras in Delaware.”

“It is my hope that in working with all law enforcement partners that we will be able to develop and implement a consistent statewide policy for the utilization, storage, and management of police body cameras,” said Schiliro. “Uniformity will greatly enhance the objective of this program to ensure the safety of our officers and the public we serve. Being able to conduct a statewide pilot program in Delaware will greatly improve the development of the technology and policy needed to be successful in the deployment of body worn cameras.”

“The Delaware State NAACP is excited about the pilot program initiated by Governor Markell,” said state NAACP president Richard “Mouse” Smith. “We are in agreement this is a necessary addition to our police departments for the protection of the police departments and the community. We are excited to hear the findings following the trial period. With possible funding from our legislature and Homeland Security, we will have grant funding to assist the police agencies throughout Delaware. We are looking forward to continuing the working relationship between the NAACP, the Governor’s Office, Homeland Security and the Delaware Police Departments in this endeavor because all lives matter to us.”

For the pilot, companies will be asked to provide 12 units to be deployed at the direction of DSHS as a part of the trial period for evaluation. This approach will allow the State to determine how best to craft requirements related to the procurement of body cameras and associated support equipment and services.

They must provide:

• Cameras capable of capturing real time activities of a law enforcement official that is worn on the enforcement official
• A system capable of retaining the images of real time activities captured by the body camera.
• An information technology platform allowing for storage of a data record in a manner that does not require the State of Delaware to dedicate brick and mortar square footage to the retention of a data record.

The system must have cloud-based storage and be capable of providing coverage for the entire State, including law enforcement officials at the State, County, and City / Town levels.

“Conducting a body-worn camera pilot project will provide Delaware State Police with a great opportunity to evaluate the impact of body-worn cameras on Troopers and on the community,” said Col. Nate McQueen, head of the Delaware State Police. “It will also provide an excellent opportunity to evaluate the different types of technology, evidence management, data storage available and to finalize a uniformed body-worn camera policy. The pilot program will also enable Delaware state Police to determine how best to implement a permanent body-worn camera program.”

Chief William Bryson, Chairman of the Delaware Police Chiefs Council said he believes body cameras will be standard equipment for law enforcement officers in the foreseeable future.

“The financial commitment required to implement a comprehensive body camera program is currently beyond the reach of many police departments’ budgets,” he said. “Although, several departments in Delaware have introduced body cameras into their agencies including; Ocean View Police Department, Smyrna Police Department and the New Castle County Police Department. The Delaware Police Chiefs Council has been working with the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, the Attorney General’s Office, the Delaware State Troopers Association and the Fraternal Order of Police to establish a statewide body camera policy. A review of this program will provide valuable information for the implementation of the equipment and finalization of the policy.”

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Red Clay School Officials Join Governor to Celebrate School Safety Milestone

Newport, DE – Having worked with the General Assembly to make school safety improvements a top priority of the state, Governor Jack Markell recognized 2015-2016 as the first school year in which every Delaware public school is using a comprehensive safety plan to prepare for potential emergency situations, ranging from armed intruders to natural disasters.

Joined by Richey Elementary School principal Dotty Johnson, Red Clay School District Superintendent Merv Daugherty, Red Clay Public Safety Director Brian Moore, and Delaware Capitol Police Chief John Horsman, the Governor also highlighted new infrastructure upgrades made to enhance safety at Richey Elementary School. In 2012, Governor Markell signed the Omnibus School Safety Act, making Delaware the first state in the country to establish a formal statewide framework for comprehensive school safety plans, which brings all public schools under one common safety protocol.

“We all want to provide a safe and secure learning environment for our children and we have a sacred responsibility to be ready to respond when anything threatens it,” Governor Jack Markell said. “The advances made by our schools over the past few years means they are better prepared than ever before for a wide range of emergency scenarios.”

Superintendent Daugherty, Director Moore and Principal Johnson all touted the benefits of the school safety planning program and emphasized the importance of the safety initiatives implemented in district schools. At Richey Elementary, door locks and perimeter cameras were installed. The school also reconfigured its lobby to prevent direct entry into the school. All visitors are now directed into the school main office to gain access to the school interior. In addition, Red Clay has assigned a School Resource Officer or Constable to each of its schools.

“Red Clay parents trust us to keep their students safe and the tools provided through the Comprehensive School Safety Planning (CSSP) program are helping us do just that.” Daugherty said. “Having a comprehensive school safety plan that addresses various emergencies allows school officials to start the year focusing on what’s most important—educating its students.”

The Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) Capitol Police is charged with overseeing statewide comprehensive school safety planning. In 2012, DSHS implemented the Emergency Response Information Portal (ERIP), a web-based solution that serves as a central repository for all Delaware public and charter school safety plans. ERIP not only provides the tools and technology to help schools with the school safety planning process, but also contains numerous other school safety resources including threat assessments and online video courses.

In the past school year, CSSP Director Wendy Hudson worked with the school districts to make certain its schools met the State standards outlined in the Omnibus School Safety Act. Last fall Governor Markell strengthened this Act, accelerating the timetable for compliance and requiring all public and charter schools to complete two intruder drills and one tabletop exercise annually in addition to its school safety plan.

“The Red Clay School District and administrators like Mrs. Johnson, who are committed to the school safety planning process, make our work easier. They have embraced school safety from the start and remained vigilant,” Chief Horsman said. “Our children spend the majority of their day in school and it is imperative we work with administrators and provide them the tools needed to ensure the safety our students.”

As the school safety planning program continues to thrive, the next phase Red Clay started was making sure the first responders can have easier access to critical information before and during an incident.

“In Red Clay we have already begun a trial initiative with our colleagues at the State Police Troop 6, creating accounts for every trooper in the area so that they can have access to these fantastic tools as well,” Moore said.  “In reality anytime there is an emergency the school district cannot respond in a silo, but the entire emergency response community has to work together to insure the safety of the school and students.”

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