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Wilmington's move to make Operation DISRUPT permanent draws critique from City Council

Delaware Public Media

Operation DISRUPT, a program designed to stabilize high crime neighborhoods in Wilmington with more police presence, became a permanent part of the city police department Wednesday.

But the press release announcing the move got some members of City Council upset. The release said that council had not approved funding for “critical public safety resources,” which put the Police Chief in a position where he needed to take action. The release was referring to the fact that Council hasn’t voted yet on whether or not to pass the police department’s reorganization plan.

"That’s just not true, they asked for supervisors and managers. Nothing they asked for impacts whether you do Operation DISRUPT or you [don’t]," said Council President Theo Gregory. He added that now the city will have to pay for Operation DISRUPT out of the overtime fund, a move members of the Council wanted to avoid.

Mayor’s office spokesperson Alex Coppadge said their original plan included an inspector to monitor Operation DISRUPT, and that that plan is now, "stalled in committee." She continued, “I think it’s unfair for Council President Gregory to blame us for their unwillingness to call a vote on resources that are needed to operate the department more efficiently.”

When asked about Gregory’s concerns over how DISRUPT would be funded, Coppadge said “there’s no cost for the loss of a life.”