20th RD Democratic Committee to meet May 16
The RD 20 Democratic Committee is featuring a panel discussion with the chiefs of police from Georgetown, Randall Hughes, Lewes, Thomas Spell,and Milton, Robert Longo. The speakers will be discussing different approaches to dealing with the opioid crisis in Sussex County and related issues such as increased crime and homelessness. The Thursday, May 16 meeting will be at Fish On Restaurant, 17300 Village Main Blvd. Lewes, with committee members and guests gathering at 5:30 p.m. for refreshments and dinner (optional) followed at 6 p.m. by the panel discussion. The RD 20 Democratic Committee welcomes the public.
Hughes has been in law enforcement since 1985, when he joined the Delaware State Police as a trooper. Retiring after nearly 25 years of service with the state police, Hughes was appointed as the chief deputy for the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Since being appointed as the Georgetown Chief of Police in June 2015 Hughes has championed community policing initiatives in an effort to enhance trust-based relationships with all residents of the town.
Spell has served as chief of police for the City of Lewes since 2016. Prior to becoming chief, he served for five years as the warden of the Ferris School for Boys, a state-run facility for sentenced juveniles. Spell started his career as a Wilmington police officer in 1988. During his 25-year tenure he served as a police officer, community bike officer, a detective for 18 of those years,and a member of the Special Weapons and Tactics Team. He is a retired Army infantry officer.
Longo began his law enforcement career as a police dispatcher in New Jersey. Over the years he has served as a correction officer up to deputy Wwarden, investigator and patrol officer, rising up the ranks to the position of Milton Police Chief in 2010. Longo is currently the president of the Sussex County Police Chief’s association. He is an honorably discharged Army veteran in the National Guard.
Following the panel discussion, RD 20 Democratic Committee will conduct its monthly business meeting. Registered Democrats are welcome to attend. RD 20 is the local Democratic Party organization for residents in the Lewes, Milton, Belltown, Coolspring, Jimtown, Pinetown and Harbeson, areas of Sussex County. For more information send an email to rd20.deldems@gmail.com.
