With just over a million residents, Delaware is a small state. It is well-known for both its lax tax laws and its chemical manufacturing sector. It does, however, also have a high crime rate, coming in at number 20 in the country for both violent and property offenses. One place in particular, Seaford, sticks out as the riskiest and most active in drug trafficking.
Delaware’s Most Dangerous City Is Seaford
Seaford is the most dangerous city in Delaware, according to the FBI’s 2023 crime report. With a crime index of 1 out of 100, it is only 1% safer than comparable communities nationwide. In Seaford, there are 9.82 violent crimes for every 1,000 residents, and there are 50.42 property crimes for every 1,000 persons.
In Seaford, the odds of falling victim to violent crime are 1 in 102, whereas in Delaware, the odds are 1 in 238. In Seaford, the odds of falling victim to property crime are 1 in 20, whereas overall Delaware, the odds are 1 in 51.
With 8,516 residents, the demographics of Seaford are as follows:
- White Americans: 57.1%
- Black Americans: 29.9%
- Hispanic: 8.8%
- Median household income: $55,162
- Persons in poverty: 16.1%
- Unemployment rate: 6.4%
Seaford: Delaware’s Drug Trafficking Center
In addition to being Delaware’s most violent city, Seaford serves as the state’s main hub for drug trafficking. “Operation Dawg House” is the name of the extensive narcotics investigation that the Delaware State Police launched in November 2020. George Johnson, 40, of Bridgeville was identified as the organization’s leader, and the operation was directed at the George Johnson Drug Trafficking Organization.
According to the inquiry, Johnson and his cronies were in charge of supplying enormous amounts of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and marijuana to Sussex County, Delaware, and the neighboring areas. The medications came from sources in Baltimore, Maryland, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In order to conceal their illicit operations, the group also used guns, intimidation, and acts of violence.
Delaware State Police said in April 2023 that they had taken into custody 28 individuals from the group, including Johnson, and that they had found over 12 kg of heroin, 3 kg of fentanyl, 3 kg of cocaine, 25 pounds of marijuana, 22 guns, and more than $264,000 in cash. Johnson was one of the four group members who were still at large and regarded as dangerous and armed.
Conclusion
The major issues in Seaford, a small Delawarean city, are drug trafficking and crime. Given the high prevalence of violent and property crimes, it is the most hazardous city in the state. Additionally, it serves as the focal point of a major drug trafficking network that supplies the area with cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and marijuana.
The organization’s leader and a few of his associates remain at large, despite the authorities making notable arrests and seizures. In order to address the drug problem and enhance the safety and standard of living for its citizens, Seaford requires additional resources and assistance.