Wilmington mayor talks crime prevention and growth during State of the City address

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo gave his annual State of the City address Monday evening. He reviewed major accomplishments from last year including crime prevention and growth.

Some of the major accomplishments include completing the Riverwalk this past November, the redevelopment of the Water Street Parking Deck which is now ready for construction and many road improvement projects which are either complete or underway.

The Love Grove Bridge project, which has been a concerns since the 1970s, will be complete this spring.

“We appreciate all of the hard work that went into this project. Especially to the citizens in the persistence that they told us that we want to make sure that this bridge is build and it is finally being done,” Mayor Saffo said.

As for crime last year it dropped across the city.

“I’m happy to report that overall crime in our community continues to fall,” Mayor Saffo said. “It has dropped an additional 8% over last year. This is our success story and it’s due to the efforts of the men and women of the Wilmington Police Department. Chief Ralph Evangelous and the citizen’s who help us fight crime every single day.”

Wilmington Downtown Incorporated reports the downtown area has attracted 45 businesses and created more than 300 jobs in the last year.

For more on what was discussed, click here.