David L. Anderson represents the 4th District on Dover City Council.
Since 2024 in the capital city, 36 pedestrians have been injured, including two fatalities, according to our police chief. People are coming to me with their own stories, including a woman who was injured avoiding someone she claimed was a homeless person. Her collision injured her so badly that she couldn’t work for two years. Ignoring the reality of people being injured or killed due to irresponsible behavior is irresponsibility not compassion.
Ordinance 2025-21, involving pedestrian safety, is contrary to Mr. Tyron Scott’s Opinion (“Dover ordinance would ‘criminalize poverty’”). It does not target panhandlers; it is universally applicable. While I do not see sports boosters and car washers in the medians, creating a danger to themselves and others, it would absolutely apply to them. In fact, if you just wanted to put your beach chair in the median to get a tan, it would apply. If you walk into traffic to talk to a driver who is not properly parked, it applies. It does not apply if you are on the sidewalk nor if the person responding is properly parked and not disrupting traffic. Why? Because we care about safety. We cannot come close to the zero vision for pedestrian deaths if we don’t keep crossings clear for crossing. Not only are the people in the medians in danger and drivers are in dangerous situations when approached, but other pedestrians often avoid safe-crossing zones because they are occupied and, in some cases, because they have been harassed. Then, those people are endangered.
Free speech remains fully protected. The ordinance regulates only where people may stand, for safety reasons, not what they may say. Alternative safe zones are explicitly provided. The courts have been clear that time, place and manner restrictions are appropriate, contrary to claims. I am a constitutionalist. I would not support taking away something as vital as freedom of speech from anyone.
The critics say we are trying to criminalize poverty. The compliance model begins with education and outreach, not punishment. Civil enforcement only occurs in cases of repeated refusal in active danger zones. The laws apply to everyone. When it comes to helping the homeless and affordable housing, our city has made a substantial investment in the last five years and will continue to reach out. I have been told by someone working in a shelter that we have such a positive reputation that people come here from other states, as well as from all over Kent County. Particularly encouraging to me is the transitional housing that is coming online. I was pleased to have a deciding vote on a rezoning case to bring the transitional housing into being. We are now working with both the governor’s administration and Sen. Eric Buckson, R-Camden, to address the addiction crisis here. If banning people from helping those in need was on my agenda, I would be a major offender, along with many of my colleagues. I have helped the one and the many. I am a strong believer in helping people reach their potential, and I am not afraid to get personally involved. That does not eliminate accountability from the equation. You are free to help anyone you want, just don’t disrupt traffic safety to do it. Everyone has a duty to their fellow human beings to not endanger the lives and limbs of others needlessly. The pedestrian safety ordinance is just that and applies to everyone equally. It is the critics who want an uneven application of the law.
I will never apologize for trying to save lives and bring back a better quality of life in our city. I want to thank the hundreds of people who have given their support, whether by petition, personal contact or social media. People see though the hyperbole and understand that common sense laws protect everyone, including those most in need. Please make your voice heard. Contact cityclerk@dover.de.us.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
