In the wake of the killing of a state trooper at a Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles location in New Castle, do you think metal detectors and police or security personnel should be present at the entrances of state buildings?
Let’s make each and every law enforcement officer have a partner. Also, look at Division of Motor Vehicles offices throughout the country. Why is the officer in the center? Nobody should be able to walk up behind an officer. — Bryan Bailey
Yes, and in all schools and emergency rooms. — Beth Coyle
There should definitely be metal detectors. Look what happened at the courthouse in Wilmington a while back. Why not have metal detectors at the entrance? — Patti Tambourelli
Don’t make it a gun-free zone! I guarantee there are always more good guys than bad. — Richard Kerchevall
Yes, and start at schools. — Dennis Orlando Jr.
I worked at the Dover DMV about 14 years and retired in June 2025. I advocated for better security pretty much from my first day. From what I understand, the shooter in New Castle was a troubled man. The thing is that public buildings are perfect targets for a terrorist. The DMV has hundreds of customers a day. It usually has one officer there. In Dover, the officer is near a hallway, and his or her back is turned. The officer isn’t always paying attention and could be taken down in one quick action. Once that threat is gone, an active shooter would have anywhere from four to six minutes to wreak havoc on who’s left. Let’s also remember that the DMV is a “gun-free” zone. By having that, you might as well advertise a shooting gallery. The fact is that both the director and deputy director knew about the lack of security issues. Things never changed until an issue came up. Why would they care? To get to their offices, you have to go through two locked doors. Security at the DMV needs to improve. — Rick Kerchevall
When the state auditor was on the third floor of the John G. Townsend Building in Dover, the former chief administrative auditor spent over $100,000 to have bulletproof doors/glass put in for the main entrance, back in the 2014-15 time frame, I believe. Meanwhile, they were put in walls that were not permanent and not bulletproof. The cost of this would be worth it if it was done correctly (like, don’t spend that kind of money on doors in walls that could easily be kicked in). — Sarah Mullin
Yes, anyone dealing with the public should be behind a bulletproof glass barrier, and I strongly agree, no matter the cost. The women at my bank are sitting ducks, with no protection at all. This is not OK! — Bill Burke
Sure, because this happens all the time. How about taking more rights away from citizens? Yeah, that’s a great idea. — Darrin Mallick
Yes. Protect them from the guns and the people who use them. — Tom Rodman
Yes, yes, yes. All facilities need protection, and the employees should use bulletproof vests. Just a metal detector is not enough anymore. That policeman hero protected the public. My heart aches for his family. I am 72, and today, life is too precious to have so many crazies killing the most innocent, wonderful people. God protect our state. And help his family. — Denise Bella
Yes! Just like all courts! — Don Lukens Jr.
Yes, especially in state service centers. People receive their benefits from there, but sometimes, a client can’t get his or her benefits. The clientele we work with is very vulnerable, and tensions rise, so I think upping security is a must. — Phoebe A. Henderson
This would be nothing more than security theater. If there is a clear threat, then maybe a discussion can be had. But to do it in a blanket fashion is fearmongering. — Benjamin Black
Stop allowing violent criminals out of prison. — Jeff Deckman
Why stop there? Let’s put metal detectors and bulletproof glass on all school buses and DART buses, too. Let’s put the librarians in bulletproof bubbles, too. Or enforce the laws we have now. Stop the catch and release. — Derik Callaway
Freedoms are scary. Deal with it! — Wayne Whitby
Get rid of gun-free zones and let people protect themselves. — Scott Taylor
And what are they going to do besides cause longer lines at these buildings and longer response times, as it will be taking officers off the street? And “security” personnel don’t actually have the authority to do half of what they claim they can do. So, it would just be a waste of time and money, especially since it’s the same thing, in that if one person does something, everyone gets punished for it. — Kyle Hendrix
