Jesse Riggin is a resident of Dover.
I grew up in Delaware and have spent the last nine years living in the city of Dover. Like many, I had my reservations before moving here. Dover has a reputation — some of it earned, some of it exaggerated. But what I’ve found over nearly a decade is something more complicated and far more promising.
My wife and I love our neighborhood. We appreciate the character of Dover, the diversity and the accessibility that comes with urban life in a small capital city. There’s a lot here to be proud of. But, if we’re being honest with ourselves, things feel just a little less tenable each year. Crime, trash and a general disregard for public spaces are becoming harder to ignore.
And that’s frustrating — because Dover has real potential.
This is a city with three college campuses within its limits: Delaware State University, Delaware Technical Community College and Wilmington University. It’s home to major employers, like the state of Delaware, Kent County government, the Dover Air Force Base and Bayhealth. Private industry is here, too, from Kraft/Heinz to Bally’s Dover.
Economically, Dover is stronger than many people realize. In fact, it was recently ranked the No. 1 U.S. city for solo founder profitability — thanks in part to the low cost of doing business. There’s a quiet but growing startup scene, including companies like Nectero Medical, working on cutting-edge innovations.
Beyond economics, Dover offers quality of life that’s hard to beat. We have access to great community resources, like the YMCA, local parks, fitness facilities, restaurants and entertainment. We’re less than an hour from the Delaware beaches. Outdoor recreation — from fishing and hunting to cycling and kayaking — is right at our doorstep.
So, what’s the problem?
It comes down to a few things: crime, trash and a growing sense of apathy — both within parts of the community and, at times, within local government.
There is a visible rise in issues like drug activity, prostitution and petty crime. Public spaces in some areas are not being respected or maintained. And, increasingly, residents feel like their voices are being drowned out.
Our own mayor, Robin Christiansen, has acknowledged that City Council meetings have, at times, become “free-for-alls,” with a small minority dominating the conversation and diverting attention from critical issues. While every voice deserves to be heard, we cannot lose sight of a basic truth: Those who live here, pay taxes here and are invested in Dover’s future must have their interests prioritized. If city governance is pulled off course, the city itself cannot move forward.
But this is not just a government problem; it’s a community problem. And that means it’s also a community solution. We need to take our city back — not in some abstract or political sense but in real, tangible ways. Pick up trash in your neighborhood. Report crimes. Show up to meetings. Get involved. Small actions, multiplied across a community, create real change.
At the same time, city leadership must lead. I empathize with Mayor Christiansen and the challenges he’s described, but “leadership” means stepping into difficult situations, not away from them. The city needs steady, visible guidance to restore order, enforce rules and refocus on the issues that matter most to residents.
The mayor is right about one thing: Even if the exact number is debatable, a small percentage of voices can derail important progress if left unchecked. But the answer isn’t disengagement; it’s more engagement from the rest of us.
The majority of Dover residents care deeply about this city. We live here. We work here. We are raising families here. We have a vested interest in seeing Dover succeed. And we should not overlook the role of those who stand on the front lines of these challenges every day. Our police officers have incredibly difficult jobs. They are asked to maintain order, respond to complex social issues and keep our neighborhoods safe — often under intense scrutiny and with limited resources. They deserve not just our criticism when things go wrong but our support, our respect and our partnership in making Dover a safer place.
Ultimately, the future of Dover will not be decided by a handful of loud voices or by problems we choose to ignore. It will be shaped by the people who are willing to step up. It starts with the individual. Each of us has a role to play in setting the standard for our neighborhoods and our city. And some of us must go further — into leadership, into service, into the hard work of guiding Dover forward.
Dover is not a lost cause. Far from it. It is a city full of opportunity, strength and untapped potential. But it will only become what we are willing to make it.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
