DOVER - A violent nine-hour stretch left two men wounded in separate shooting incidents on the same Capital Green neighborhood block, Dover Police said Thursday morning.

Since Feb. 28, 19 persons have been killed or wounded in 15 gunfire incidents within and just outside Dover’s city limits.

Later Thursday morning, Mayor Robin R. Christiansen met with Dover Police Chief Marvin Mailey and staff “at length to review the increasing number of shootings in our city including the two most recent ones early this morning.”

Mayor Christiansen detailed his concerns in a letter to city council members and announced that “A renewed strategy, including enhanced site specific foot patrols and other enforcement strategies including zero tolearance, will be in place. ...”

The mayor forecast that added “overtime expenses may be necessary; however, it is justified for the public safety of the entire city. The overtime and related costs will be used prudently and responsibly.

“Once again, I hope that you will support me, Chief Mailey and the men and women of the Dover Police Department in performing the difficult job of maintaining law and order and public safety in our city.”

Mayor Christiansen encouoraged council members to contact him for any questions or to share concerns.

An 18-year-old man was shot in the lower back at approximately 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the 400 block of River Road, according to authorities. He was treated for his injuries and released from Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital in Dover, and police said he was “minimally cooperative” with investigating detectives.

At roughly 4:31 a.m. Thursday, officers returned to the same area for another shots fired report and found a 37-year-old man wounded in his upper body. He was transported to Kent General by medical personnel and treated for a serious injury, Dover Police spokesman Master Cpl. Mark Hoffman said.

According to witnesses of the second incident, several people were gathered and an argument may have preceded the shooting.

Cpl. Hoffman said investigations were ongoing and asked anyone with information to call the Dover PD 736-7111. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips can also be submitted to law enforcement through tip lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or online at www.tipsubmit.com or through the Dover PD MyPD Mobile App.