Wilmington – Today, just after noon, around 30 protesters marched to Mayor Purzycki’s office to discuss the recent rash of shootings in Wilmington.
The Mayor was not in the office at the time of the protest today, but was instead attending a multi-denominational peace service at Bethel AME Church in Wilmington, according to a statement released by Mayor Purzycki’s office.
Mayor’s Statement
Prior to taking office two months ago, we began building a strategy to reduce crime, strengthen neighborhoods and increase employment opportunities. City, County, State and Federal authorities are conducting an effective joint policing operation in our City to reduce the number of shootings we have experienced so far this year.
The joint operation is making progress. Most importantly, we have engaged the community to be supportive of this law enforcement effort. We have also partnered with City Council President Shabazz, Governor Carney and New Castle County Executive Meyer to support a community task force violence reduction report that emanates from the work of the National Centers for Disease Control.
In a few weeks we’ll announce a neighborhood revitalization program that we will pilot in a particular area of the City and then apply it to other neighborhoods throughout Wilmington to reduce crime and blight.
Above all, I will continue to reach out to individuals and groups to explain our approach to governing and to seek input and support because we are all in this together and we need each other to make this work. I know that the outreach to some folks will be harder to achieve, but that will not deter me or my Administration from building partnerships.