SEAFORD, Del. -- On Thursday, Seaford Police weighed in on the State's attempt to address gun violence after Governor Matt Meyer issued an executive order to establish the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety.
Meyer issued Executive Order #9 to form the new office. According to Meyer's office, the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety will operate under the Department of Safety and Homeland Security to reduce gun-related injuries and deaths in the First State.
The order comes after two back-to-back shootings in Seaford less than a month apart. On March 12, 23-year-old Schweitzer Dessin was shot and killed nearby at Nutter Park and Collins Avenue. A 32-year-old man was shot and killed around the block from Williams Pond Park on April 8.
Seaford Deputy Chief of Police Tyler Justice says the department is doing what it can to try to prevent future acts of gun violence in the area.
"We are trying to take a multifaceted, community-oriented approach," says Justice. "We are working with the schools, churches, and other nonprofit organizations in the area, and we are seeking out grant funding for special projects and assignments that we can do in criminal enforcement to try to solve these issues."
Justice says the department fully welcomes any attempt from the Governor's Office to increase collaboration and communication between agencies.
"We're excited to see where it goes," says Justice. "We're willing to do whatever it takes to solve these issues and be a part of the solution. That's what we're trying to be."