Delaware CVI Investment Report

Gun-related incidents and deaths continue to affect every corner of Delaware. While Wilmington has returned to pre-pandemic levels-still disproportionately high on a per-capita basis-the sharp increases in Kent and Sussex Counties highlight an escalating crisis that is devastating families, destabilizing neighborhoods, and threatening the overall well-being of communities across the state. To ensure that life-saving programs reach every community in need, Delaware requires an additional $5 million investment for FY 2027 to be dispersed over 3 years.

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Infographic stating gun violence costs each resident $1,236 per year, that the estimated costs are $1.3 billion per year, it would cost $4.75 per resident to reduce it, and an illustration of dollars to show what a small percentage of the estimated costs the reduction would be.

Where there are targeted investments, we are seeing improvements.

  • In 2025, Wilmington saw a 21% decline in shooting incidents and a 20% decline in murders compared to 2024 (City of Wilmington).
  • Nearly one year after [a] historic investment in community violence intervention (CVI) efforts in Sussex County, the town of Laurel has reported zero shootings or homicides since January 2025 (DelawareBlack).
one table showing the number of fatal and non fatal Wilmington shootings annually from 2019 to 2025, and another table showing the firearm assault deaths and homicides in Wilmington and statewide annually from 2019 to 2025

To sustain and expand what is working, Delaware must adopt a multi-pronged investment approach that strengthens Community Violence Intervention (CVI) as public safety and public health infrastructure. At the center of this approach is a $5 million recurring state investment, designed not as a standalone solution, but as a catalyst that aligns resources, stabilizes the field, and drives measurable impact statewide.

To create lasting change, Delaware must take bold, coordinated action.

Infographic showing the daily cost of gun violence to society is $1.34 billion, the police and criminal justice daily cost is $30.19 million, the healthcare daily cost is $7.79 million, and the employers' daily cost is $1.47 million