Brian E. Lewis represents the 2nd District on Dover City Council.
On June 14, several residents of the 2nd District faced a heart-wrenching tragedy — one that might have been prevented if safety measures had been put in place. It was a tragedy that left members of our community mourning the loss of a life taken too soon. Just one month prior, on May 4, in front of a local Dover restaurant (McGlynns Pub), another life was taken as the result of gunfire. Both of the deceased were only 22 years old. These devastating events serve as a stark reminder of the violent outbreak we continue to grapple with in Dover, as well as the persistent issue of gun violence.
This is an issue that’s not going away and is actually getting worse. Our youth and young adults are getting their hands on firearms and committing violent crimes, including murder, which leads me to ask: Why is this violence happening to our young and by our young? And what can we do to stop it?
I know that convincing our young that guns won’t solve their problems is an incredible challenge that will take more than just one person to tackle. But, to me, it’s a worthwhile mission to prevent mothers from mourning the loss of their children.
Many times, I have spoken out, introduced data and urged action to try and prevent such tragedies. Despite these efforts, I was met with skepticism and accusations. When I introduced a letter to the newspaper (“Solutions needed after rash of shootings in Dover”), then subsequently spoke live on a local TV station about the dangers this city is facing with gun violence, I was told by a colleague on Dover City Council that I was instilling fear, that my data was misleading and that I was exaggerating the problem. Further, I was removed as chair of the Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee, as a retaliatory measure for my outspokenness, transparency and disclosure of real information to the public.
Those who dismissed these concerns must now confront a painful reality: The risk is real. The violence is real. The lives we lost are real. This city cannot afford to wait until another tragedy strikes. We must come together as a community to acknowledge this real problem. We must recognize that data, when used responsibly, helps identify patterns and implement solutions that can possibly save lives.
This is not just a call for awareness; it is a plea for action. We need policy changes, better protections for survivors, more camera and surveillance equipment, and an urgent review of how the city responds to gun violence and firearm access, just to name a few moves. We all must support initiatives already in place, work together to improve them, build a stronger and safer community, and try to prevent another senseless loss of life.
In my 25-plus-year career in the law enforcement and security fields, I have witnessed — directly or indirectly — the loss of many lives to gun violence. And, as someone who grew up in a city where violence was all too common, I understand the pain behind these tragedies. However, I am no longer sympathetic to the excuses and delays by certain members of leadership to act.
We need more than talk; now is the time to take action — for those suffering in silence, for the children and for the future of our community. We cannot wait for another tragedy to remind us of what we already know: Gun violence is an urgent crisis that demands immediate action. We must work together to ensure that these injustices come to an end.
A friend once told me that you don’t need power or a title to make the world better, just compassion and the courage to act on it.
In closing, I would like to extend my deepest condolences and prayers to the families affected by this violence. I stand with you in grief, and I remain committed to doing the work necessary to prevent further loss.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
