WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – Stopping violent crimes in Port City doesn’t depend on just one law enforcement agency, but rather a group of agencies under the Violent Crime Action Plan.

Wilmington Police, the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI are all working together and officials say the partnership is working.

“If you engage in illegal criminal activity to include gun crimes, narcotics or other destructive behaviors. And I’ve said this before, we will bend over backward to arrest you,” said Wilmington Police Chief Donny Williams.

Since the start of last year, more than 30 arrests, over 40 guns confiscated including five fully automatic machineguns, and 40 grams of fentanyl have been seized. That amount of drugs alone could kill 20,000 people.

U.S. Attorney Michael Easley says you may not realize this is happening around you but they’re keeping a close eye on the streets.

“The crimes are serious the threat to the community is real, and the sentences are strong and fair. And we will impose them without flinching,” said Easley.

One issue WECT has reported on is the growing amount of kids found with guns. Ben David is the district attorney for New Hanover and Pender Counties, he says the community is key to keeping guns out of the hands of children.

Shootings in Wilmington are up. Officials say this time last year there were 48 shootings now, the number is up to 61.

“We need your help if you are a responsible gun owner of locking up your stuff. Particularly those firearms,” said David.

“We can not do this alone, citizens are a huge part of this. Law enforcement alone can not make our community safe,” said Williams.

Anonymous tips can be sent to the police department, the tip will not be tracked to the person who sent it in. People can also call WPD from blocked phone numbers at (910) 343-3600.

The hope is better cooperation from the public matched with the Violent Crime Action Plan will put an end to gun and drug crime. But for now, the message to criminals is clear.

“It’s never been a worse time than right now to commit a crime here in the port city. We are going to come after you with every resource we have. And when we do, we’re not going to show mercy because you’re not showing that to your victims. We’re going to take you into the federal system if we can. We’re going to use the Al Capone method to put you on a video if it means making a drug case. We’re going to do anything we can to make sure we’re keeping this community safe,” said David.

Copyright 2024 WECT. All rights reserved.