Restoring Central Dover Moves to Phase II of Lights-ON Dover Strong Campaign
Restoring Central Dover is a Comprehensive Neighborhood Revitalization Plan (PLAN) in motion that was adopted in 2014. The PLAN and its implementation is led by NCALL, which is an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Dover that specializes in affordable housing development, education and lending.
The PLAN represents our community’s vision for restoring the vitality of central Dover and lists recommendations for implementation over the next 10 years. Resident input and priorities have been derived from a community survey, meetings, events, activities and community outreach. The PLAN offers a multitude of strategies for a Strong Community, Positive Development, and an Integrated Public Realm and Infrastructure. The Neighborhood Safety Groups and Improved Street Lighting spearheaded this Lights-ON Dover Strong campaign as part of the PLAN.
Phase I of the “Lights-ON Dover Strong” campaign was launched in June 2017 to increase residential security and public safety in collaboration with the City of Dover Police Department. The campaign provided dusk to dawn Energy-Efficiency LED lights for the front porches and solar-powered LED motion floodlights for the back yard of 187 homes. This initiative increased security and public awareness in the high-risk areas within Central Dover. Dover’s Chief of Police states, “I think that the Lights-ON Dover Strong initiative has been a very positive move for the City of Dover. We have seen a tremendous decline in the amount of burglaries committed in 2017, and we credit this program and proactive policing. Overall the “Lights-ON Dover Strong” initiative has made these neighborhoods safer places to live.”
The core strengths and collective synergies of the “Lights-ON Dover Strong” campaign has been closely planned and managed by NCALL’s Restoring Central Dover Working Groups in partnership with the Dover City Council, Dover Police Department, Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility, HELP Initiative Inc., Delaware State University, Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity, The Home Depot, Neighborhood Building Blocks, Print Coast 2 Coast, Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters, Delmarva Power, Torbert Funeral Chapels and First Choice Services.
Phase II of this program will adapt the lessons learned from Phase I and is scheduled for 300 homes in the Lincoln Park and the Restoring Central Dover area bordered by Division, Kirkwood, William and State streets. It is planned to complete 100 of these installations before the end of the year, with the balance scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2018.
Phase II of the Lights-ON Dover Strong campaign will be conducted during winter 2018 and targets approximately 300 homes within the central Dover area. Please contact Chanda Jackson, who is the community organizer for this initiative.