Wilmington Establishes New Office of Community Safety

City Council to vote on funding position to coordinate violence prevention and community programs

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Wilmington's mayor has signed an executive order to formally create an Office of Community Safety, elevating a director to advise on crime prevention and coordination. City Council will vote on funding the position on Thursday, shaping how neighborhoods citywide tackle violence and support community-centered safety programs.

Why it matters

The new Office of Community Safety aims to take a more holistic approach to public safety, moving beyond traditional law enforcement to incorporate community-based initiatives and violence prevention programs. This could lead to more coordinated efforts between city agencies, nonprofits, and residents to address the root causes of crime and improve overall community well-being.

The details

The executive order signed by the mayor will establish the new Office of Community Safety, which will be led by a director tasked with advising on crime prevention strategies and coordinating safety-related programs and services across different city departments and community organizations. The City Council will vote on funding the position on Thursday, determining the resources and authority the office will have to implement its mission.

  • Mayor signed the executive order to create the Office of Community Safety.
  • City Council will vote on funding the new position on Thursday, March 30, 2026.

The players

Wilmington Mayor

The mayor of Wilmington signed the executive order to establish the new Office of Community Safety.

Wilmington City Council

The City Council will vote on funding the director position for the new Office of Community Safety, which will shape how the office operates and its ability to coordinate violence prevention and community-based safety programs.

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What’s next

The City Council vote on Thursday will determine the funding and scope of the new Office of Community Safety, which will then begin work on implementing its mission of taking a more holistic approach to public safety in Wilmington neighborhoods.

The takeaway

The creation of the Office of Community Safety represents a shift in Wilmington's approach to public safety, moving beyond traditional law enforcement to incorporate community-based initiatives and violence prevention programs. This could lead to more coordinated efforts between the city, nonprofits, and residents to address the root causes of crime and improve overall community well-being.