City police report over 31K calls in two years amid record-keeping changes

During the Wilmington City Council meeting on February 6, 2025, discussions centered on the performance and challenges faced by the local police department, particularly regarding the volume of calls received from community service organizations. A key point raised was the significance of the 400 calls attributed to Hope House, Father's Kitchen, and the homeless shelter. While this figure may seem substantial, it represents less than 1% of the total calls received by the police, which average between 300 to 400 per week. Over a two-year period, this translates to approximately 31,200 calls, highlighting that the calls from these organizations are a small fraction of the overall police activity.

Additionally, the meeting addressed improvements in record-keeping systems for first responder calls. The previous system lacked the capability to categorize the nature of calls, making it difficult to analyze the reasons behind police interactions. The introduction of a new record-keeping system aims to provide clearer insights into the types of calls received, which could enhance the department's response strategies and resource allocation.

These discussions underscore the importance of understanding the context of police calls in Wilmington, particularly in relation to community support services. The council's focus on improving data collection reflects a commitment to better address the needs of both the police force and the community it serves. As the city moves forward with these changes, the implications for public safety and community relations will be closely monitored.