Dover– The Delaware State Police concluded a two-day multi-agency operation in the Capitol Park neighborhood of Dover due to recent criminal activity, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe.
Jaffe said during the last two weeks of December 2019, there were a total of four shooting complaints in the Capitol Park neighborhood. The Delaware State Police Troop 3 coordinated a pro-active criminal operation to target violent crime occurring in that neighborhood with the focus on seizing firearms. Through investigations, it was learned that weapons, drugs, and contraband were being hidden at the back of residences, on State and Kent County land.
The operation included over 60 Troopers and Law Enforcement personnel from the following units: Troop 3 Patrol, Troop 3 Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU), Troop 3 Governor’s Task Force (GTF), Troop 3 Kent Drug Unit (KDU), Troop 4 Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU), Troop 4 Governor’s Task Force (GTF), DSP Community Outreach, DSP Special Operations Response Team (SORT), DSP Aviation, DSP K9 and the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police.
The operation incorporated a terrain search for contraband while Community Outreach Officers engaged with the community members to inform the residents the reason for the Law Enforcement presence.
During the terrain search portion of operation the following items were located behind residences on South Governor’s Boulevard:
a loaded Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol
a black tactical-style ballistic vest
a loaded rifle
On January 3, 2020, the Delaware State Police received further information that other items were hidden in the woods behind a residence on South Governor’s Boulevard after units departed on January 2, 2020. Troopers responded back to the area and located 656 baggies of Heroin (approximately 4.59 grams).
The success of this operation was due to the collaboration and support from all of the assisting Law Enforcement Officers. We will continue to target these violent crime areas and help our communities make their neighborhoods safer.