Delaware in the Grip of Crime 1999

In 1999, Delaware found itself squarely in the crosshairs of the nation’s crime epidemic, with the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program painting a stark picture of a state struggling to keep pace with the rising tide of violent crime.

According to the FBI UCR data, one of the most striking trends in Delaware in 1999 was the increasing prevalence of aggravated assaults. As the nation grappled with the aftermath of the 1990s crack epidemic and the rise of gang violence, Delaware saw a significant spike in violent crime, with aggravated assaults accounting for a disproportionate share of the state’s overall crime total.

Nationally, the FBI UCR program reported a 2.5% increase in violent crime overall, with aggravated assaults driving much of the growth. As the 1990s drew to a close, law enforcement agencies across the country were grappling with the challenges posed by the crack epidemic, which had fueled a dramatic increase in violent crime during the early part of the decade. In Delaware, the state’s small size and proximity to major cities like Philadelphia and Baltimore made it particularly vulnerable to the spread of gang violence and other forms of organized crime.

Delaware’s law enforcement agencies responded to the rising tide of violent crime with a range of initiatives aimed at reducing gang activity and addressing the root causes of crime. From community policing programs to targeted narcotics enforcement efforts, Delaware’s law enforcement agencies were working tirelessly to stem the tide of violence and restore a sense of safety to the state’s neighborhoods.

As the nation looked to the year 2000, Delaware’s crime trends in 1999 served as a stark reminder of the challenges that lay ahead. With violent crime continuing to rise nationally, Delaware’s law enforcement agencies would need to remain vigilant and proactive in order to keep pace with the evolving threat of crime. As the FBI UCR program continued to provide critical data and insights to law enforcement agencies across the country, Delaware’s crime trends in 1999 would serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of data-driven policing in the fight against crime.”