I’ve been following the news from my Holiday Location and it is looking like Mayor Dennis Williams is being hung by his own “We’re Not Going to Let This Commission Take Credit for These Ideas” strategy in his effort to push back against having to live with the accountability (and potentially some consequences) that would come with a grant being provided by the Joint Finance Committee to help the City pay for foot patrols. You’ll recall that the Williams Administration’s response to the Wilmington Public Safety Strategies Commission report was to claim that they had already implemented most of the recommendations made — with the help of the VRN folks, not the Governor. There is wide skepticism about this claim that they’ve implemented most of those recommendations — especially from me — and the JFC looking to send the Police Foundation back into the WPD to check on progress is an excellent accountability measure. And if I am Mayor Dennis Williams with a re-election hanging in the balance because he is widely seen as utterly ineffective in managing the crime problem (in spite of campaign promises) — it would be Good News all the way around if one of the Commission’s consultants could say that progress is actually being made as promised.
Of course, the Williams Administration was more concerned about taking credit than in implementing any recommendations. Which is why Mayor Williams is now forced to push back on these accountability measures. He couches that in an argument about “home rule”, but that is remarkably weak tea from someone who not only has been ineffective at governing this city, but also ineffective at spinning any story that might help them. So now he finds himself smack in the middle of a bunch of spin that is being openly derided. Here’s the gist of the spin from his Facebook post today:
On December 2, 2015 a Joint Finance Committee meeting was held in Dover to discuss and approve a written request from AG Matt Denn to utilize $2 million dollars of settlement funds in order to provide additional policing patrols in the City of Wilmington and Dover. Roughly $1.5 million was said to be allocated for additional patrols for Wilmington. (Take note: I along with Chief Cummings were NEVER invited or made aware of this scheduled meeting until I was notified of it actually taking place. Immediately Chief Cummings traveled to Dover to attend.) The result of the meeting was the approved use of the funding along with JFC stipulations directing what Wilmington would need to do in order to receive the funding, as well as how funding would be allocated for use by State, County and Wilmington Police. The funding would be divided between the three agencies to pay for overtime for specific patrols. So out of the $1.5 million, Wilmington would be allocated roughly $450,000.00 which would be controlled by the DOJ. The JFC, utilizing info provided by the AG, then placed mandates that directed Wilmington to give total access to the public safety strategy Commision consultant, who was selected and paid for by the State. The consultant would provide reports to the JFC so that the JFC could then make recommendations to the General Assembly about amending code to restrict the City of Wilmington’s ability to operate its own Police Department. A department established in the City of Wilmington Charter and governed by the City Code.
As the Mayor of Wilmington and a past Representative of the State of Delaware, I recognize the multitude of issues involving the acceptance and use of this proposed funding and that is more than simply providing data. Funding that has already received criticism and faces litigation in reference to its original purpose and has caused an upset within State Government about its allocation outside of the budgetary process. These issues are also a cause of concern among government, community, business and religious leaders when considering the unfair demands placed on Wilmington in comparison to the City of Dover. As an elected official who has assumed the responsibility of maintaining our home rule and ability to govern, I have taken offense to the senseless and unfair stipulations placed on Wilmington. The City of Wilmington is not for sale! I am unwilling to accept the funding as currently proposed. I am open for continued discussions and as a City we are willing to accept assistance without the perceived threats against our independence.
We are also interested in proposals that would include assistance for organizations like Ceo Hope Academy which provides assistance to the children of our community or the enhancement of current Social Service programs for those in need. We are in need of assistance from the State to increase economic growth that helps us provide job opportunities in Wilmington. Careers that will provide families with stable incomes that will strengthen our communities. I need the State to address Education so that all of our children have an opportunity to be successful!
Got that? Apparently the State needs to provide money without strings (even though that money is under some litigation) and stop asking Wilmington to be accountable for the implementation of the WPSSC recommendations that Wilmington said they already did. And provide money for other stuff too. But in addition to the accountability that having the Police Foundation assess the WPD’s progress in implementing the report, there is this:
Lawmakers voted on a motion Wednesday that said budget lawmakers will later determine whether the committee “should recommend to the full General Assembly any changes to the City of Wilmington’s unilateral authority to oversee police operations within the City of Wilmington or such other measures as it deems appropriate.”
I haven’t told many people this, but shortly after the Commission delivered its report, I was visited at my home by about a dozen WPD officers — not one of them officers I know. They come to my house, ring the bell and then ask if I was the person on the WPSSC. When I confirmed who I was, every one of them asked me a version of this question:
“Do you think that the Governor could take over the Wilmington Police Department?”
A scary question from someone wearing the uniform. It is an even scarier question when asked by multiple officers. I told each of them that I did not know what the Governor’s authority in this case would be, but that I’d pass the question to his staff. Still, there seems to be some interest within the Department itself for much different leadership. Which means that there are those within the WPD who have joined much of the City’s business leadership, non-profit community and residents in wanting to see a change in the Mayor’s office.
Still, the best way to get new leadership is to vote for someone competent and with a great vision for what this city could be, rather than relying on the Governor or the GA to amend the City Charter.