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Seaford police outline five‑year plan aiming to modernize technology and cut violent crime 15% by 2028
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Summary
Chief Marshall Craft presented a 2026–2030 strategic plan April 14 that prioritizes staffing to 36 officers, technology modernization (body cameras, in‑car cameras, real‑time dashboards) and a 15% target reduction in violent crime and traffic injuries by 2028; council approved the plan with annual review.
Seaford Police Chief Marshall Craft presented a high‑level five‑year strategic plan to Seaford’s mayor and council on April 14, outlining targets for staffing, technology upgrades, community engagement and measurable performance metrics.
Craft said the document (covering 2026–2030) is intended as a living roadmap to address growth in calls for service and community expectations. Among the plan’s headline targets, the department aims to increase authorized staffing toward 36 officers and to achieve a 15% reduction in violent crime and in crash‑related injuries by 2028. The presentation listed approximately $500,000 in phased technology and modernization investments over five years, including body‑worn and in‑car cameras, evidence systems, automated license plate readers and a real‑time crime dashboard intended to publish hot‑spot and trend information to the public.
Craft described the plan’s five pillars: (1) violent crime reduction, (2) traffic safety, (3) non‑law enforcement community services (education and outreach), (4) internal organizational strengthening (training, succession planning, wellness) and (5) partnerships with other agencies and nonprofits. He said the department already has some FY26 approvals in place for equipment upgrades and that three officers are due to graduate in June and begin field training; if staffing retention holds, Craft said the department should reach full staffing by mid‑fall.
Council members asked whether the plan bound the city to multi‑year expenditures. Craft and City Manager Anderson said the plan is a forecast; annual budget processes will determine actual spending and the council retains authority to amend or limit future years’ commitments. Vice Mayor Dan Henderson moved to approve the plan with annual review; Councilman Mike Bradley seconded and the council approved the plan unanimously.
Chief Craft also asked council to authorize submission of a separate Byrne JAG award (see separate action) and described department investments in community programming and an Nutter Park prevention hub. The chief said quarterly KPI reporting and an annual public report would be part of the accountability structure.
What’s next: Council approved the plan with the understanding that specific expenditures will come through the annual budget process and that staff will provide quarterly KPI updates and an annual attainment report to council.
