WPD officers clean area known for crime

WILMINGTON — A group of Wilmington Police officers spent the morning doing something a little different.

They spent hours clearing over-grown brush out of a lot in the 600 block of McRae Street.

The area has been a prime location for drinking, drugs and prostitution because of the coverage of trees and bushes.

It was part of “Double-up Thursdays” when there are twice as many officers on duty as usual, allowing some to devote time to projects like this.

WPD Sgt. Kurt Stansbury said, “It’s a change of pace, we’re out here doing some good old work, having a little fun and it’s just something different. People are driving by clapping and showing their thumbs up for us. We’ve had several people stop by and say this is the best thing they’ve seen done.”

Local companies donated the equipment, so the officers could do the clean-up – a different way of “policing” the neighborhood.