William G. Faust Jr. is a resident of Dover.
Every time you turn on the TV or radio, you hear of another tragedy occurring in the city of Dover. Let’s leave the fantasy world of the past. Superman cannot find a phone booth to change in to save the day. We cannot turn on the bat signal to summon Batman and Robin, and lastly, we do not have a police officer on every corner.
We cannot rewind the clocks to the ’60s, ’70s or ’80s, when times were simpler and the violence was not as bad. This was a time when kids could play outside without worry and kids knew that, when the streetlights came on, it was time to go home. Welcome to 2025, where you need resource officers to protect our children in schools. Also, police resources are stretched to their breaking point, and our attorney general is not enforcing the laws that are on the books. If the attorney general is not enforcing the laws, it chips away at our public safety.
If the bail system needs to be reformed, let’s get it done. Bail is supposed to be a guarantee that you will show up for court. Cashless bails are only putting the public at risk because the individual could get out and commit additional crimes or more violent crimes.
Another example of the violence affecting our city occurred May 4 at McGlynns Pub, at 800 N. State St. Another senseless shooting occurred. One male was killed, and another male was injured by gunfire.
How can we spend time and resources to improve downtown Dover when we have gun violence, prostitution issues, homelessness issues, mental health issues and other criminal activity affecting our city? If these problems are not addressed or fixed, the downtown project is set up for failure.
The mayor and City Council need to put pressure on the governor to have the attorney general put our dangerous criminals behind bars.
Once a bullet leaves a weapon or someone begins violent activity, it cannot be stopped. What is it going to take to stop the madness? My fear is that an innocent child or police officer could be injured, crippled or killed.
Lastly, the city of Dover is becoming like Philadelphia and New Jersey. Every time you turn on the news, you hear of the tragedies that are occurring.
We need to address and fix our city’s issues before we lose complete control.
Sign me, a concerned citizen who is worried about our residents’ safety, our first responders’ safety and the safety of visitors to our city.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
