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On Dec. 7, 2000, the worst thing imaginable happened to my family: my older brother Yusuf Dixon was tragically murdered by an acquaintance of his. The loss for my family was unspeakable. Every day I think about my brother, what his life would have been like, and how much I miss him in my own life. 

The person who killed him was arrested, prosecuted and convicted. He was barely an adult but sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. 

My family and I have spent the years since we lost my brother talking about what justice would look like for us. Of course, we were angry and devastated by the senseless loss of my brother, but over the years, our conversations often turn to concern for the man convicted of his murder. 

My brother’s murderer has been incarcerated for over two decades and will be eligible for parole soon. He’s missed out on his 20s and 30s and will likely come out of prison middle-aged and with few resources. I believe strongly that he should have access to a supportive and compassionate probation program that helps him succeed in the community. It makes no sense that two lives need to be ruined: my brother already lost his life, but continuing to punish the person who killed him once he has served his time does not bring my family justice. That is why I am a strong supporter of Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 4 — SB 4 — sponsored by state Sen. Marie Pinkney. 

SB 4 would reform our probation system to ensure that those leaving prison are given the tools they need to succeed. I hear from far too many people on probation that they are often set up to fail, as one minor technical violation — like missing a meeting with their probation officer or failing to complete an educational course — could land them back in prison. Under this new legislation, most people on probation would only go back to prison if they commit a new crime. Probation officers would be encouraged to use more rehabilitative tools to work with people on probation to keep them out of prison and help them to meet all the conditions of their probation. 

SB 4 would also require each person’s probation conditions to be individualized for their specific needs. Currently, nearly every person on probation in Delaware receives identical rules they must follow. This makes little sense considering the wide variety of needs each person has. I want the probation system to assess my brother’s killer for his specialized needs that must be addressed for him to successfully transition out of prison, rather than receiving a one-size-fits-all approach that may not work for him. 

The pain that my family went through when we lost my brother is something we want no other person to ever go through, and that is also why I am passionate about probation reform. If the person who killed my brother is given all the tools to succeed, my hope is that he will be able to get a job, stable housing, mental healthcare and be able to reconnect with his family. All of those things are the key factors to ensure he does not commit a new crime in the future and is able to make positive contributions to our community. 

My brother was a loving, joyful person who I remember as a man who cared deeply about his community. The person who took him from us has been punished, and it is a better testament to Yusuf’s memory to show mercy, grace and forgiveness. Justice for my family is honoring the values my brother had: restoration, not retribution. Please honor crime victims like my brother and help to create a justice system that promotes rehabilitation and compassion. 

Jasmine Dixon is the Sussex County Organizer for Network Delaware.

Surf fishing is a popular past time in Delaware

As the weather turns warmer, thoughts turn to days by streams, lakes, rivers, bays and oceans with a fishing pole in hand, trying to snag some of the many water creatures in the first state.

“Join us for National Fishing and Boating Week! Dive into Delaware’s waters license-free on Saturday, June 1, and Sunday, June 2, for fishing, crabbing, and clamming, a state park email read. “Remember, all anglers must have a free Fisherman Identification Network (F.I.N.) number, which you can obtain online or by calling 800-432-9228. All fishing regulations are mandatory, including size and catch limits. Don’t miss this chance to cast your line and enjoy the thrill of the catch!”

Delaware State Parks offer freshwater, saltwater and offshore fishing, as well as clamming and crabbing, and this page will help you plan your perfect fishing adventure! A general fishing license is required for fishing, crabbing, or clamming in tidal and non-tidal waters in Delaware. The Delaware Fishing Guide, a publication of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Division of Fish & Wildlife, provides comprehensive information about fishing in Delaware.

Saltwater fishing is very popular in Delaware with many opportunities to fish from a pier, from the beach or even along the banks of Indian River Inlet. Anyone planning to drive onto the beach must have a fishing vehicle permit. However, there are parking areas available where anyone can walk over the dunes on marked paths in order to surf fish. For more information, visit Delaware State Parks’ Surf Fishing page.

Delaware State Parks offer also offer offshore fishing options along with clamming and crabbing, A general fishing license is required for fishing, crabbing, or clamming in tidal and non-tidal waters in Delaware. Visit the Where to Fish, Crab & Clam page for more information.

For those looking for the challenge of fishing in deeper waters, the charter fleet at Delaware Seashore State Park’s Indian River Marina will get you out to some of the finest fishing grounds on the east coast. Wahoo, yellow and blue fin tuna, flounder, drum, sea bass, mackerel, flounder, sea bass, sea trout, blue fish, rockfish, tautog, tuna, shark, swordfish, and other big keepers are brought in regularly. Visit the Off-Shore Fishing page for more information.

There have been changes to permitting requirements this year and that information can be found at the Surf Fishing Permitpage.

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Philadelphia residents and businesses are eligible to receive at least $25 from a $2.7 million class-action settlement over last year’s Delaware River chemical spill that led to bottled water advisories.

In March 2023, an estimated 8,000 gallons of a water-based latex finishing solution from the Trinseo Altuglas chemical facility in Bristol, Bucks County, leaked into the river.

The incident, which occurred upstream of the city’s Baxter Drinking Water Treatment Plant, did not impact drinking water.

However, the City of Philadelphia was criticized for its confusing public messaging. After the city issued numerous bottled water advisories, panic buying ensued, leaving some supermarket shelves empty.

The settlement alleges residents suffered financial losses from the purchases and driving to and from grocery stores. Businesses were forced to turn off their tap water and scramble to find other supplies, according to the lawsuit.

“This settlement really relates to economic injuries centered around those recommendations by the city, and that were in the media, to purchase bottled water,” said Michael Twersky of Berger Montague, one of the attorneys who filed the class action lawsuit on behalf of residents.

“This isn’t a situation where something like drinking water was affected … Mostly what people suffered was the need to purchase bottled water, maybe a filter, the economic harms of driving a car, maybe some restaurants suffered a little bit, but we’re not talking about the type of high damages you might see in other cases.”