CHIEF SAYS CITY CRIME FIGHT'S OFF TO 'GREAT START FOR 2004'

Wilmington police will continue to take their war on crime to the streets
in 2004, acting Police Chief Tandy Carter said at a news conference Friday.

Citing figures that show a drop in most major crimes and an upswing in
arrests, Chief Carter said the police department made strides in 2003.

"This is a great day for the Wilmington Police Department," he said. "This
is the first time we can toot our horns for the crime picture of 2003. It's
a great start for 2004."

The help of citizens is vital to law enforcement, Chief Carter said. Arley
Day, of the Southgate Neighborhood Watch Association, said vigilance is
important to stem the tide of crime.

"We've got to stay on top of it and if we see any activity out of the
ordinary going on, we call the police," he said. "We'll work with them in
the future if it takes more than one call."

E.B. Davis Sr., of the Friends and Citizens of Wilmington Six Inc., said he
hasn't noticed much change in illegal activity in his Northside neighborhood.

"I don't see any reduction. We have the same activities on the corner.
We've had several break-ins," Mr. Davis said. "We feel education and
counseling needs to be done. It's not just watching out for crime."

Figures released this week show 15,882 arrests in 2003, up from 12,841 in
2002. Overall, major offenses like robbery, assault and larceny declined 7
percent, Chief Carter said. There were about 600 fewer crimes reported in
Wilmington last year compared to 2002, he said.

Enforcement of traffic laws also saw increased emphasis in 2003. Four more
officers were added to the traffic unit, said Capt. Randy Pait, who heads
the patrol division.

Specially trained traffic unit officers now investigate most wrecks
reported in the city, Capt. Pait said.

"They develop a better expertise and know how to work all the accidents,"
he said.

More aggressive speed enforcement is a likely factor in a 20 percent
decrease in crashes during the last two months of 2003 compared with the
corresponding period in 2002, Capt. Pait said.

"If it scares you enough, it makes you drive the speed limit," he said.
"Until you change drivers' attitudes, you're not going to be able to change
them."

Drugs and alcohol factor into 85 to 90 percent of all the crimes committed
in the city, Chief Carter said.

There were 1,601 drug arrests in 2003, up from the 888 arrests made the
previous year. That shows the narcotics unit reconstituted last year is
doing its job, the chief said.

Rehabilitation and education for offenders is needed to assist law
enforcement in fighting drugs, Chief Carter said.

"I don't think arresting people and putting them in jail is the solution to
the problem," he said.

Chief Carter said the men and women in the police department are the
primary reason for its effectiveness.

"They come to work with a sense of purpose and a sense of mission in terms
of trying to reduce crime in the community," he said.