Captain Nathaniel McQueen, Jr. - 2006-July 2007
Captain Patrick A. Ogden - August 2007-Present
Dedicated in 1961, the current Troop 1 facility stands proudly on
the same site as the original troop, which has been an icon in the
Penny Hill area since 1923. The spirit of community, partnership
and dedicated service continues to make Troop 1 troopers an
essential part of the community. The troopers at Penny Hill are
responsible for a diverse service population that spans from
Wilmington to Claymont, from Brandywine Hundred to
Centerville and to the busy retail centers on the Concord Pike
corridor. Patrol responsibilities also include I-495 and a large portion
of I-95. Troop 1 personnel, assisted by the communications
center staff, manage approximately 25,000 calls for service a year.
In 2006 and 2007, Troop 1 personnel included an average of 38
uniformed troopers, three administrators, four civilian staff
members, one cadet and one civilian volunteer. In addition the
New Castle County Collision Reconstruction Unit is assigned to
Troop 1's satellite facility (Troop 1A) in the Brandywine Towne
Center.
During 2006 and 2007, Troop 1 crime fighting and prevention
efforts, directed by Criminal Lieutenant Michael Eisenhardt, targeted
areas of high criminal activity and focused on frequently
arrested criminal offenders in addition to maintaining vigilance
on homeland security concerns.
On January 25, 2006, Troop 1, with the assistance of several state
police special units, conducted a crime and traffic blitz.
Recognizing that criminal and traffic law violators do not restrict
their activities based on jurisdictional boundaries, members of
the Delaware State Police, Wilmington Police Department and
probation & parole officers, conducted directed patrols in and
around the Troop 1 and Wilmington Police Department patrol
boundaries. Enforcement efforts focused on identified criminal
and traffic concerns on Miller Road, Governor Printz Boulevard,
Philadelphia Pike, and surrounding areas. The operation resulted
in over 207 traffic arrests, 15 criminal and drug charges, and the
arrest of 15 local fugitives. This initiative and others helped to
reinforce the partnership and commitment between the police
and the community.
In June 2006, Troop 1 re-established a Retail Theft Unit. The primary
function of the Troop 1 retail theft patrol initiative is to
deter crime, promote safety, target thefts, shoplifters, professional
boosters, motor vehicle thefts, and enhance partnerships with
private security professionals along the Concord Pike corridor.
The two troopers spearheading this initiative are Master Corporal
Brian Mulvena and Corporal/1 William Murray. The unit continues
to maintain excellent relationships with retail businesses and
private security professionals in the targeted area. The strengthening
partnership between the Delaware State Police and the
business community has been instrumental in identifying, apprehending,
and arresting groups of shoplifters and professional
boosters.
Beginning the week of June 19, 2006 through the end of
December 2006, the Retail Theft Unit substantially exceeded
expectations. Members of the Unit investigated 464 criminal
complaints, arrested 234 suspects for a total of 785 criminal
charges, and also recovered over $54,241.68 in stolen property.
During the 2007 calendar year, unit members investigated 687
criminal complaints, arrested 404 suspects for a total of 1,474
criminal charges and recovered over $80,982.83 in stolen property
including $22,556.00 in cash. These two dedicated Troopers
have taken ownership in the idea of cultivating partnerships with
members of the retail community to improve the overall quality
of life and public safety in the area they serve. As a result of
their extraordinary efforts, Master Corporal Mulvena and
Corporal/1 Murray, received the 2007 Secretary of Homeland
Security and Public Safety "Safer Delaware" Award.
In 2006, Troop 1 crime fighting efforts resulted in a 15% reduction
in robberies, a 46% reduction in burglaries, and a 14%
reduction in motor vehicle thefts. Throughout the year, the
Troop 1 community experienced an overall 4% increase in Part 1
crimes. In 2007, Troop 1 experienced an unfortunate spike in
burglaries and motor vehicle thefts. This contributed to an overall
18% increase in Part 1 crimes, however, proactive crime fighting
efforts did yield a 28% reduction in robberies.
In 2006 and 2007, Troop 1 uniform patrols, coordinated by
Traffic Lieutenant William Alexander, focused on collision reduction,
enforcement, and safety education. In addition to enforcing
DUI, aggressive driving and dangerous moving violations
throughout the year, Troop 1 personnel participated in a host of
enforcement initiatives in conjunction with the Office of
Highway Safety. Troopers conducted numerous seatbelt safety
and DUI checkpoints which included a joint checkpoint on
September 14, 2007 along the Concord Pike at the Pennsylvania
line with members of the Pennsylvania State Police. Another traffic
initiative targeted I-495 due to an increase in traffic collisions.
This initiative was implemented in March 2006 and continued
weekly for the remainder of the year. On September 18, 2006,
Troop 1 initiated a traffic blitz with the assistance of Brandywine
School District School Resource Officers. Troopers targeted
areas surrounding schools to promote driver safety in school
zones. In a three-hour period, 75 total traffic arrests were made.
In July 2007, Troop 1 partnered with DELDOT using one of
their bucket trucks as a platform to conduct speed enforcement.
The operation was a huge success and will continue in 2008.
In response to three pedestrian fatalities in October 2006, Troop
1 launched an immediate Pedestrian Safety Enforcement
Initiative. During implementation, pedestrians committing violations
were stopped and warned about their actions. Citations
were issued for repeat offenders or for egregious violations.
Concerned about the visible number of high school athletes
crossing roadways during sporting practice sessions, troop personnel
prepared a packet of safety information and sent it to all
high schools in Troop 1's area. In response students were escorted
across roadways by coaching staff members. As a result of
both initiatives, the pedestrian fatality and personal injury rate fell
to zero for the remainder of the year.
Because highway fatalities rose, troopers stepped-up traffic
enforcement issuing 15,838 traffic citations. As a direct result,
DUI enforcement increased 11% resulting in 473 DUI arrests.
Personal injury accidents remained steady, and total accidents
were reduced by 1%. In 2007, Troop 1 traffic arrests increased by
21% resulting in a 50% reduction in fatal collisions. This 50%
reduction in fatal crashes (16 in 2006 compared to 8 in 2007) and
the 21% traffic arrest increase is the best report throughout the
entire state. Historically, statistics indicate that consistent and
aggressive traffic enforcement can result in fatal crash reduction.
Although it is impossible to predict if the actions of a drunk
driver or speeding motorist will result in a crash, troopers at
Penny Hill have clearly illustrated the connection between the
two and ultimately saved lives through their enforcement efforts.
During the past two years, troopers continued to play an active
role in the Penny Hill community. Troopers exchanged ideas and
concerns at monthly community meetings, and participated in
annual events such as the Delaware Special Olympics Torch Run,
the COPS Run, and the Relay for Life. Troop 1 also contributed
to the A.I. DuPont Children's Hospital visits, the Claymont
Green Days, and the Winterthur Point-to-Point Steeple Chase.
As a full-service agency, Troop 1 personnel balanced its focus on
traffic safety with attention to criminal enforcement. The troop's
aggregate results can be attributed to the outstanding efforts of
Troop 1 supervisors and personnel. Several troopers were also
recognized for their outstanding performance in 2006.
Trooper First Class Theodore Stipa received the Troop's Traffic
Ace Award for his tireless work ethic in the area of traffic
enforcement. Corporal Matthew Owens received the Troop's
Criminal Investigator of the Year award for his proactive
enforcement and outstanding investigations, and for the second
time in three years, Corporal David Diana received the Troop
DUI Ace award for his concerted efforts toward DUI enforcement.
Trooper First Class Theodore Stipa was named Troop 1
Trooper of the Year. His tireless work ethic is evident in all areas
of enforcement. In addition to his outstanding criminal enforcement,
he logged 1,235 traffic arrests and 45 DUI arrests. Several
other troopers were also recommended for Divisional awards for
their outstanding performances, distinguished acts of courage
and heroic life saving efforts.
Because of the hard work and professionalism of Troop 1 personnel,
2006 and 2007 proved to be productive and successful
years. Troop personnel sincerely appreciate the active support of
a concerned community in helping us meet the challenges of
these past years. Our citizens can be assured that we will continue
to build upon our relationships by providing professional police
services with concern and compassion to a diverse community, as
we have done since 1923.
