Experts with Wallethub say crime is inevitable. But personal risk can be assessed by looking at these key factors in specific locations. Chip Lupo, writer and analyst with WalletHub.com, said he wants people to use the report to make decisions about where to live.

“It directly affects their safety and the overall well-being of the community,” said Lupo. “Because if you’re aware of local crime trends it gives residents the ability to make informed decisions about where to live.”

And, he said, there are some obvious patterns.

“The more the residents are employed, the more that are in stable homes, the less likely it is to be a high crime area,” Lupo said.

Wilmington, Delaware was one of the top five cities on the list with the most law enforcement employees, 464 per 100,000 residents, according to the report.

“It suggests that Wilmington does place a high priority on law enforcement,” Lupo said. “There’s a number of cities cutting law enforcement budgets, and police are retiring because of it.”

Still, Wilmington is at the bottom of the list when it comes to safety, revealing the complexities involved in fighting crime.

Philadelphia had some of the highest numbers of murder and non-negligent manslaughter. It also had comparatively high numbers of drug overdose deaths and hate crimes.

Congratulations to Hannah McGuigan of Padua girls volleyball, the Delaware Online High School Sports Athlete of the Week for Week 5, presented by Delaware Orthopaedic Specialists.

The senior recorded 13 kills, 2 aces, 5 blocks, 2 digs and an assist in a 3-2 victory over Newark Charter on Oct. 3. McGuigan also had a combined 14 kills in 3-0 victories over Caravel and Delaware Military on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.

McGuigan won an online vote over four other nominees. Check out the Week 6 nominees on Monday and vote for your favorite. Voting is free with the winner announced each Friday.

Athlete of the Week nominations can be submitted to high school sports reporter Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com.

Brandon Holveck reports on high school sports for The News Journal. Contact him at bholveck@delawareonline.com.

Like its neighbors, Delaware faces significant transport and transportation challenges with a big increase in freight moving across state roads.

“Just over the last few years, especially during the pandemic, our reliance on e-commerce has just exploded and that results in the need for more trucking, for more freight movement, and we see that,” Majeski said. “It’s really important for us … [to] provide the infrastructure they need so they can embrace this clean energy that’s out there.”

Adam Ortiz, the administrator for EPA’s mid-Atlantic states, agrees that trucking should be a priority too.

“We’re all familiar with electric cars, we’re seeing them more and more and that’s been making a difference in reducing greenhouse gasses. But heavy trucks are something where we have historically not made a lot of progress,” Ortiz noted. “[Today], we’re putting a stake in the ground, a number of states across the I-95 corridor stepping up to help heavy electric vehicle charge.”

Across Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Connecticut, the goal is to establish over 400 charging ports for trucks, ranging from overnight charging stations to fast and even ultra-fast charging options.

“The Clean Corridor Coalition project plans to support the construction of 20 freight truck electric charging sites, including 150 charging ports, overnight use, and more than 300 fast or ultra-fast charging ports to advance electrification of a national priority freight corridor,” he said.

Next year, state transportation leaders will collaborate with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to gather public feedback and identify gaps in clean energy initiatives while continuing to prioritize sections of I-95 that run through the state. The focus will also extend to I-495 and other areas throughout the state.