On a daily basis, the Wilmington Police Department releases information regarding investigations and the results of our efforts to enhance public safety in Delaware’s largest city. We also use traditional and social media to share suggestions with the public to help prevent crime, and assist members of the news media covering our department and our community.

Members of the public and media interested in receiving alerts, advisories and information from the Wilmington Police Department are encouraged to sign up to receive information disseminated through Nixle. Those seeking to register are encouraged to share their email address, as most advisories are sent via email. 

You can access our Nixle page, with a full archive of news and information, here:

Social Media

The Wilmington Police Department also encourages members of the public to follow our agency on Facebook and Twitter, where you will find updates and information, along with photos and other content:

• Facebook - @WilmingtonPolice
• Twitter - @WPDPIO
• Instagram - @WPDPIO

Public Service Announcements

The Wilmington Police Department routinely issues public service announcements, sharing important information regarding public safety with residents, businesses and visitors to Wilmington.

Recent public service announcements include:

Help do your part to prevent vehicle theft:

The Wilmington Police Department continues to remind all vehicle owners and operators to do their part to avoid vehicle theft.

 
Police urge motorists not to leave their vehicles unattended while running, or while keys are inside of the vehicle.
 
Whether it involves warming up a vehicle before travel, or leaving a vehicle running while picking something up from a restaurant or business, police urge drivers to turn off and secure vehicles whenever they are unattended. These simple tips can help prevent against vehicle theft.
 
Police also remind drivers to avoid leaving any valuables in plain sight, and to be mindful of spare or valet keys that might be left in their vehicles that could potentially result in a theft.

Wilmington Police Cold Case Unit requests public assistance in connection with unsolved cases:

The Wilmington Police Department’s Cold Case Unit works tirelessly to pursue new leads and to deliver justice on behalf of those who have been victims of crime.

You can learn more about the Unit, and about some of the cases it is investigating, by visiting www.WilmingtonDE.gov/ColdCase.  

The WPD Cold Case Unit is part of the department’s Criminal Investigations Division, and includes WPD cold case investigators and an agent with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

The Unit typically handles cases that have remained unsolved after a year, and after all investigative leads have been exhausted by the primary investigator. Members of the Cold Case Unit work tirelessly to pursue new leads in these cases, and to deliver justice on behalf of those who have been affected by crime.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the WPD Cold Case Unit:

• The Cold Case Unit office can be reached at (302) 576-3937
• Sgt. Thomas Curley can be reached at (302) 576-3625 or Thomas.Curley@cj.state.de.us

You can also provide information to Delaware Crime Stoppers at ‪1-800-TIP-3333 or ‪delawarecrimestoppers.org.

Wilmington Police portal allows the public to submit video and photo evidence to support investigators:

With the increasing use of private security cameras and the tremendous value of digital evidence in solving crimes, the Wilmington Police Department continues to offer a secure and confidential option for members of the public to share video or photo evidence related to crimes that might occur in their neighborhoods.

Whether related to a package theft, motor vehicle accident, car theft or suspicious activity - or any other crime - privately-owned residential and commercial video cameras often capture footage that can assist investigators.

Police are inviting members of the public to use our online video portal to securely submit video and photo evidence, which can be uploaded confidentially through Axon and Evidence.com.

You can learn more and share files today by visiting www.WilmingtonDE.gov/Footage.

To share video or photo files with police:

• Visit www.WilmingtonDE.gov/Footage
• Fill out the web-based form, with details about the date, time and block (i.e. 900 block of Main Street) where the footage was captured, as well as a description of what was observed. You will be required to provide your name and an email address where we can send you a link for secure uploading.
• You will receive an email directly from Axon and Evidence.com, which will have a link that you can use to securely and confidentially share files with police (Note: this will be a single-use link unique to you, and will be sent from “noreply@communityrequest.evidence.com”)

Each photo and video that is submitted will be reviewed by a member of our Technical Resource Unit.

Please note that submitting video or photo files through this platform is not a replacement for the process of filing a police report if you are the victim of a crime. Patrol officers and investigators who respond to a call for service can facilitate the submission of video or photo files as part of their investigation.

Wilmington Police remind public about City law addressing illegal dirt bike, ATV riding in City:

The Wilmington Police Department is reminding the public about State and City laws regulating the illegal use of dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

Police ask members of the public who have information about any illegal activity involving these off-highway vehicles – including where they are being operated or stored – to call the Wilmington Police Department at (302) 654-5151. You can also contact the department’s crime tip hotline at (302) 576-3990, and callers can remain anonymous.
 
State law defines “off-highway vehicles” as including dirt bikes and ATVs, and registration with the State is required.
 
On July 12, 2018, City Council passed Ordinance 18-040 (https://library.municode.com/de/wilmington/ordinances/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=901246), which adopted the State’s definition and set forth further regulations, which are excerpted here:

1. Use and possession.
1. Driving or riding vehicle.
1. Pursuant to 21 Del. C. § 6814(a), no person may drive or ride any OHV on any public street, sidewalk, or right-of-way that is located in the city or, wherever located, that is owned or regulated by the city.
2. Pursuant to 21 Del. C. § 6821(a), no person may drive or ride an OHV on public or private property without express permission of the owner of the property.
2. Possessing unregistered vehicle. No person may own, control, possess, or have custody of any OHV that is not registered with the state pursuant to 21 Del. C. § 6801.
3. Possessing mobilized vehicle. No person may own, control, possess, or have custody of any OHV in the city, while the OHV is not being used in accordance with state law, unless the vehicle is securely locked or otherwise immobilized by a wheel clamp or other object, device, method, or mechanism, whether attached to the vehicle or not, that:
1. Prevents the vehicle from being freely moved; and
2. Cannot be removed or deactivated without the assistance of the vehicle's owner.

The City ordinance also set forth penalties for violations of those provisions:

1. Penalties.
1. Civil penalty. Any person who violates any provision of this section is subject to a civil fine of $2,000.00 in addition to any other penalty issued pursuant to this chapter.
1. Any owner to whom a penalty is issued may, within 48 hours of being fined, agree to forfeit the vehicle in lieu of contesting the violation and in lieu of any other fines or penalties.
2. It should be considered a mitigating factor during judicial proceedings if an individual charged under this Section, and who has contested such charge, can provide proof that, after the time of a violation, the vehicle in question has since been properly registered and an appropriate immobilization device and transportation mechanism have been secured in order to ensure future compliance with this section.
2. Confiscate. In addition to any civil fines a police officer may issue pursuant to this section, whenever a police officer has probable cause to believe that an OHV is being used in violation of this section and either the OHV is not registered or the OHV does not bear a valid registration decal pursuant to state law, the officer may confiscate the OHV, whereupon the police department shall comply with the provisions of this chapter.

The Wilmington Police Department will continue to enforce this ordinance, along with all relevant State laws governing off-highway vehicles and motor vehicles generally.

Members of the news media seeking information regarding the Wilmington Police Department or about a specific investigation or incident can contact the following personnel:

• David Karas, Ph.D./Police Policy and Communications Director – david.karas@cj.state.de.us
• Cpl. Daniel Rice/Public Information Officer - daniel.rice@cj.state.de.us