June public safety numbers for Dallas are in
It’s clear that the city needs more police officers.
The following was adapted from my email newsletter.
Safety. Opportunity. Community.
These principles are the central tenets of my agenda in office. They are the keys to building a strong city. And each one is dependent on the other two.
Forget party labels or personalities; this is where political discourse — including the discussion about the city budget — should begin. Too often, debates that should be about policy solutions to big problems are dominated by partisanship rather than principles.
The debate over public safety must not fall into such a dogmatic and unproductive trap. It should be guided by data. By facts. By adhering to the idea that, to truly thrive, people need equitable opportunities and strong, stable, and vibrant communities.
It’s time for solutions that get the city Back to Basics. In early August, the city manager will release his proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins October 1. I want this to be a budget that focuses primarily on the basics, especially public safety.
There is no question that Dallas city government needs to be more efficient with its resources. But there should be little doubt that the Dallas Police Department needs more officers and 911 call takers. Anyone looking at the numbers can see that the department, which shrank by hundreds of police officers during the 2016–2017 pension crisis, has struggled to keep up with the demands for service and the increases in violent crimes. The police department has gone over its overtime budget by nearly $8 million with three months still left to go in the fiscal year. And 911 — that basic service that everyone needs to be there for them in their moment of crisis — has faltered far too many times over the last decade in Dallas.
Dallas communities, businesses, nonprofits, and other city departments need to play their parts, too. The Task Force on Safe Communities programs, which enhance public safety without the use of law enforcement personnel, are critical. Youth programs, such as Dallas Works and the Park Department’s Teen All Access Pass, are helping keep young people engaged and on the right path when they’re out of school. The police chief’s violent crime reduction plan is also being implemented, and thankfully, the crime numbers the last couple of months looked better than they did during the same time period last year.
But to keep up this momentum, the city cannot afford to become complacent. The crime numbers are not just numbers. They represent real people, real livelihoods, and real communities that are affected by violence.
That is why, every month, I bring you updates on the implementation of public safety priorities. Without an emphasis on accountability, city government could stray away from what is important to you — the essential services that will help you build stronger communities and pursue opportunities to improve your lives.
Below is a look at the full public safety priorities report for June. The numbers reflect where the city stood as of June 30. The parentheses show the change from last month’s report. Remember, the crime statistics had reset on January 1 and reflect the calendar year, not the fiscal year. Other numbers reflect the fiscal year, which began October 1, 2020.
Task Force on Safe Communities implementation
Number of new streetlights installed as part of the Priority Improvement Zones: 891 (No change)
Number of new streetlights installed as part of the Digital Divide and Strategic Streetlighting Plan: 100 (No change)
Number of new streetlights installed as part of the environmental improvements for crime prevention plan: 532 (+84)
Number of blighted properties remediated by Neighborhood Nuisance Abatement: 26,906 (+2,837)
Number of blighted properties remediated by the Office of Integrated Public Safety Solutions, utilizing Code Compliance personnel within Risk Terrain Area: 1,272 (+141)
Number of violence interrupters funded by the City of Dallas: 1 organization with an 11-member team (No change).
Murders
Total number of murders and non‐negligent homicides year‐to‐date: 102 (+18)
Murder victims by race/ethnicity
Black: 59 (+8)
Hispanic: 28 (+7)
White: 12 (+1)
Other/unknown: 3 (+3)
Murders by City Council district
District 1: 6 (+3)
District 2: 9 (+1)
District 3: 11 (+3)
District 4: 10 (+1)
District 5: 7 (+2)
District 6: 9 (+1)
District 7: 17 (+3)
District 8: 15 (+1)
District 9: 1 (No change)
District 10: 9 (+2)
District 11: 2 (No change)
District 12: 1 (No change)
District 13: 2 (+1)
District 14: 3 (No change)
(For your reference, here is a map of City Council districts. You can also find your representatives here).
Total number of murders and non‐negligent homicides during the current year in which no arrest has been made: 41 (+4)
911 calls
Number of 911 call takers on staff: 84 (+1)
Average 911 call holding time, in minutes and seconds: 9.7 seconds (-8.3 seconds)
Police civilianization, hiring, and overtime
Total amount of overtime funding expended to date in the current fiscal year: $25 million (+$4 million)
Total Dallas Police Department overtime budget allocated for the current fiscal year: $17.3 million (No change)
Total number of jobs transitioned from sworn officers to non‐sworn employees as part of KPMG civilianization plan: 52 (-4)
Total number of police officers and trainees hired year‐to‐date: 77 (+2)
Total number of police officers and trainees who have resigned, retired, or have been terminated: 144 (+12)
Total number of police department civilian employees hired: 158 (+21)
Total number of police department civilian employees who have resigned, retired, or have been terminated: 78 (+13)
Police response times
Median police response times to priority 1 calls: 5 minutes, 55 seconds (-5 seconds)
Percentage of priority 1 calls receiving a response in under 8 minutes: 55.67% (-0.52%)
Median police response times to priority 2 calls: 14 minutes, 8 seconds (-1 minute, 35 seconds)
To view the report as a PDF, click here.
As you can see, there is more work to do to improve public safety in Dallas. While progress continues to be made on lighting improvements and civilian hiring (but not quite enough on civilianization), other areas are lacking. Murders are still too frequent. The police department hasn’t hired enough officers to keep pace with the attrition. Too many top priority calls are still not receiving a quick enough police response.
Through partnerships, policies, and plans for the future, Dallas can — and must — do better. And Dallas will be safer if City Hall fully implements common-sense solutions that emphasize safety, opportunity, and community.
You need all three — and you deserve accountability as the city tries to meet your needs.
That is all for today. Stay safe, stay healthy, and get vaccinated if you haven’t!
