Beginning today, October 21, 2026, you may notice some changes to the information shared by the Newark Police Department in our news releases and social media posts.
These changes are the result of Delaware House Bill 59, which updates state law regarding the release of identifying information about individuals who have been arrested.
Under the new law, law enforcement agencies will face additional restrictions on releasing the names and photographs of individuals charged with crimes. In general, agencies may release this information only when an individual is charged with a felony and disclosure is necessary to protect public safety. We cannot release the names and photos of people arrested for misdemeanor crimes or when the public safety risk no longer exists after the arrest.
Our commitment to keeping the Newark community informed remains unchanged.
We recognize the importance of sharing timely and accurate information about police activity, criminal investigations, and matters affecting public safety. While certain details may no longer be included in our public communications, we will continue to provide as much information as permitted by this new law.
Following the Newark Police Department on social media remains one of the best and fastest ways to receive Newark public safety news, important updates, and timely information directly from the source. We encourage our community to stay connected with us through our official channels.
We appreciate our community’s understanding as we make these adjustments and remain committed to transparency, public safety, and maintaining the trust of those we serve.
For anyone interested in learning more about the legislation, House Bill 59 can be viewed here:
https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail/141891
