Captain Gregory D. Nolt

Delaware State Police Troop 5, located on US 13 east of Bridgeville, is responsible for full service policing to the citizens of western Sussex County. Troop 5 is responsible for patrolling approximately 450 square miles making up the majority of Sussex County. The area served by Troop 5 has historically been a rural region with farmland scattering the landscape. A substantial portion of this farmland has given way to development, placing a larger demand on police services.

Troop 5 is comprised of 38 uniformed officers, four school resource officers, three civilian personnel and a victim services officer. New to Troop 5 in 2006 was Agent Michael Campbell of the Delaware Office of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.

Across the board, Troop 5 was busier in 2006 than 2005. The number of complaints handled by troopers increased by 12% the largest increase in the state. Despite a decrease in free patrol time, Troop 5 officers still maintained a high level of productivity. Troopers made 507 Driving Under the Influence arrests, 14,938 traffic arrests, and 3,324 criminal arrests, all increases over 2005.

As in 2006, Troop 5 saw a slight increase during 2007 in overall complaints handled and criminal arrests while traffic enforcement saw a slight down turn in overall arrests. However, DUI enforcement showed an increase over the three year average. Troop 5 saw a slight reduction in fatal, alcohol and overall crashes in 2007.

On August 24th, Troop 5 and the Sussex County Drunk Driving Task Force conducted a Sobriety Check Point on U.S. 13 north and south bound. The check point which consisted of Troop 5 personnel and Municipality Officers from throughout Sussex County stopped 1,959 vehicles. As a result 5 drivers were arrested for Driving Under the Influence while 12 arrests were made for drug violations. This was one of several initiatives that Troop 5 personnel participated in to remove impaired drivers from the roadways.

Early in 2006, a spike in drug and criminal activity in the Laurel area was identified. As a result, a six month investigation began which included Troop 5 personnel, investigators from the Special Investigations Unit, the Governor's Task Force, Delaware Probation and Parole, Laurel Police Department, and other special units. The results were significant. A total of 17 search warrants were executed with 47 defendants arrested on a total of 282 charges. Additionally, during the two-day operation, 70 curfew checks were conducted, 41 fugitives arrested, and weapons, drugs and over $12,000 dollars in currency were recovered. The "Laurel Lock Up" was a tremendous success and impacted the quality of life for citizens of Laurel and the surrounding communities.

Troop 5 assisted Laurel Police Department once again in 2007 with a warrant file initiative which resulted in the arrest of numerous individuals in the Laurel Area. A similar initiative was conducted in the Bridgeville area at Walker Mills Mobile Home Park which resulted in nine fugitives being arrested along with six other subjects on various drug related charges.

In June of 2006, Troop 5 experienced what many have called a 100 year storm as an area from Bridgeville to Seaford received approximately 15 inches of rain in a three hour period. As a result widespread flooding was reported and over 30 roadways were damaged with two major roadways being closed for six months. Through the efforts of the men and women of Troop 5, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, the Delaware Department of Transportation, Sussex County officials, local police and fire first responders, no lives were lost and services were restored with minimal inconvenience to the citizens in the area.

As it has for the past 25 years, Troop 5 continued to participate in the Needy Family Project. In 2006 the project was spearheaded by Lieutenant Curtis Brown and Senior Corporal Lacey Lafferty. During to 2007 the project was headed by Master Corporal Charles Groce and Master Corporal William Wallace. During these two years Troop 5 was able to provide a merry Christmas for six families and pay the heating oil bill of another.

Members from Troop 5 also participated in numerous community events throughout the year. Troop 5 members participated in Night Out in Blades, Bridgeville and Seaford, Laurel Community Days, the Coast Guard's Safe Boating Days, the Seaford River Fest, and the AFRAM Festival. Other troop areas were assisted by Troop 5 as Troop 5 troopers assisted with the Delaware State Fair detail, NASCAR events at Dover Downs, the Law Enforcement Torch Run, and recruitment events for the Human Resources Sections. In 2007 under the direction of Lieutenant Mark Rust and Master Corporal Tony Wallace, Troop 5 added the Citizens Police Academy to its community service resume as 12 residents of Sussex County graduated in December. In 2007 Troop 5 saw the addition of a new event when the Sussex County Punkin Chunkin was held with 75,000-100,000 spectators attending the three day event.

Corporal Christy Ballinger was awarded the 2006 Troop 5 Trooper of the Year Award. Corporal Ballinger's performance throughout 2006 in all areas was outstanding. Whether it was performing her daily duties at Troop 5 or assisting the Governor's Task Force, Corporal Ballinger did an excellent job as did the others who were nominated for the award. Corporal Scott Workman was named the 2007 Trooper of Year. He received the award for his leadership, dependability, productivity and community service dedication.

Several Troopers from Troop 5 received awards at the Divisional Awards Ceremony for their efforts in 2006. They were as follows; Life Saving: Senior Corporal Debbie Jester, Corporal 1 Benjamin Whitelock, , Trooper First Class Kenneth Rogers. Exceptional Performance: Sergeant Marshall Craft, Senior Corporal Roy Bryant, Senior Corporal Debbie Jester, Senior Corporal Lacey Lafferty, Corporal 1 Adam Wright, Corporal James Wharton, Corporal Christy Ballinger, Corporal Scott Workman, Trooper First Class Kenneth Rogers and Trooper Anthony Andrews.

Throughout 2006 and 2007, the members of Troop 5 faced many new challenges as the community continued to grow and change. Despite those changes and the increase in the demand for services, the men and women of Troop 5 continued to provide professional, competent, and compassionate law enforcement services to the communities they serve.