Fight Against Violence

September 25, 2008 – Over the past several weeks I have had an influx of emails from students with deep concerns about their safety. Some have been from assault victims themselves. Thank you all for reaching out, the mere fact you have the inclination to take a stand is important. Being a full time employee, full time Mom and Wife, I have been found it difficult to keep up with this site. Though I am also feeling very guilty for letting anyone down you might have depended on this site in previous years. So I’m going to see what I can do to get this updated.

One thing I would like you to know is that the University of Delaware realizes things have gotten out of control. In fact, tonight, Thursday, September 25, 2008 there is a scheduled meeting in Mitchel Hall and all community members are invited to join. The meeting will be hosted by UD President Patrick Harker, the discussion will include Albert J. “Skip” Homiak Jr., executive director of campus and public safety; Chief James Flatley, director of Public Safety; Newark Police Chief Paul M. Tiernan; and Col. Rick S. Gregory of the New Castle County Police.

Learn what UD and its partners are doing and what members of the University community can do to keep the campus safe. Please keep the following safety tip in mind: –All suspicious activity should be reported to 911, or to the University of Delaware Police (831-2222) on campus or the Newark Police (366-7111) off campus. Timely reports of information make it easier for the police to gather critical evidence and increase the odds of recovering stolen property and successfully prosecuting a criminal.

The beginning of the 2006 school year….

Already there have been multiple cases of alcohol poisonings and even a fatal drug overdose before classes started. While these things are not directly about violence; alcohol and drug abuse can often lead to violent occurrences.

In addition, there has been an elevated number of robberies. It is not that the crimes ceased to exist during the summer, as there were reports of summer session students having been sexually assaulted, but I fear the worst now that the regular session is in swing.

We all know that when students come back to campus at The University of Delaware, the City of Newark’s population increases by over 15,000 people all in one swoop. There is no denying that fact or getting around it. It’s best to be proactive rather than reactive. What needs to be done is that everyone needs to understand there is a need for more police patrols; a need for more lights on the streets and a need for students to be aware of their surroundings and to behave responsibly when out around campus and walking home off-campus.

This site was developed after my brother was assaulted last fall on Courtney Street in Newark. His assault and the lack of help he received led me to investigate just how safe Newark, Delaware really is…my results were fascinating and alarming. Esepcially considering that his assault was never officially reported and documented by either UD Public Safety or Newark Police.

I am going to rebuild this site with up-to-date news and statistics just as I did last year. You can find all the archived content at the 2005 link above in the top navigation. The good news is that I am another year older and wiser, and will be more devoted to this site. And my brother has graduated from UD with a dual degree and he is doing very well, far from Newark.

All current news will begin to appear under the news tab in the top navigation. I will update the site as frequently as possible. And again, just like last year, anyone who has information they would like to share even if it is anonymous, please email me.

I do hope people will find this website resourceful.

I do hope this school year is safer for the students and the city as a whole.

Thank you,

Christy Mannering