Dewey Beach police report accreditation win and a quieter July, officials say

Lieutenant Thompson announced the department achieved state accreditation through the Delaware Police Officers Accreditation Committee, a multi-year process requiring scores of standards, and said accreditation will become mandatory statewide by 2028 or departments risk losing grant eligibility.

An officer presenting July statistics reported 828 calls for service, 216 traffic stops, 29 individuals arrested (99 total charges), 158 written traffic citations and 79 civil citations. The department said it issued 38 underage-alcohol summons between ages 18 and 21 and focused seasonal enforcement on bars and concentrated hot spots. "In the month of July was 828 calls for service," the reporting officer said. Officials emphasized nuisance enforcement such as urination-in-public citations and crosswalk enforcement, and described ongoing outreach to bar owners and businesses to reduce late-night problems.