WPD cracking down on drug sales

WILMINGTON — The Wilmington Police Department has launched a new program to deter drug sales in the city.

Since last Thursday police have been camped out on the corner of Campbell and Seventh Streets, leaving drug dealers and other criminals no choice but to avoid the area.

Up until last week the WPD only used its mobile command centers for major events and crime scenes. But last week it began using the camper — equipped with a high-powered surveillance camera — for day-to-day police work.

Their first stop was the corner of Campbell and Seventh Streets — a notorious corner for drug activity downtown Wilmington. The command center has been parked there from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. for six days now.

So far police say they are happy with the results.

Sgt. Curtis Stansbury said, “The first day we set up the known drug dealers kind of walked around and got frustrated and left. We noticed potential customers coming and going still. But by the third day the known drug dealers did not show up. We did not see any potential customers and there was actually some kids out playing and riding their bicycles and stuff on the sidewalks so that was very rewarding to us.”

Thursday is Sgt. Stansbury’s last day on Seventh and Campbell. He says he hasn’t yet determined the command center’s next stop. And if the drug dealers return, he says he’ll be back to chase them away.

Some people who live in the neighborhood said the neighborhood has been a lot quieter since the police set up shop.