Making their weekly rounds on Kirkwood Street recently, two Wilmington police officers popped into Woody’s Deli, where thick Plexiglas and a padlocked door separate owners Manny and Shelly Patel from customers picking up lottery tickets, cigarettes and jugs of milk.
The police explained they were there to check in and asked about the neighborhood – and whether there were any concerns or information to share.
These impromptu visits are a new occurrence, said Manny Patel, and a healthy relationship is taking root with every conversation.
“If something happens,” he said, “we call the police, and they come and take care of it.”
Eric L. Piza, Ph.D. 