The nation’s greatest public safety partnership

The following is adapted from my email newsletter. To subscribe, click here.

When Dallas went looking for a police chief three and a half years ago, I publicly spelled out what this city needed: someone with significant leadership experience at a big-city police department, someone who took reducing violent crime personally, and someone who was committed to finding solutions and developing a real plan that could make Dallas neighborhoods safer.

Dallas got all of this when Police Chief Eddie Garcia came aboard. And the city has become a national model for reducing crime and prioritizing public safety.

This city has experienced three-straight years of year-over-year violent crime reductions with the help of an evidence-based violent crime reduction plan that was developed with the support of academics and experts. So far this year, violent crime continues to fall. In fact, homicides have fallen by more than 26% year-to-date.

Chief Garcia and I have shared common goals of reducing crime, an unwavering commitment to public safety of Dallas neighborhoods, and a firm belief that data — not politics — should drive decision-making. The bond over these goals has created close working relationship that has contributed to the success of this city, which bucked national crime trends coming out of the pandemic.

Of course, it is no surprise that other cities wanted to replicate this success. So, as you’ve likely heard, other Texas cities have made overtures to lure away Chief Garcia.

But the chief isn’t going anywhere. This amazing partnership is set to continue through at least the end of this Administration.

On Thursday, Chief Garcia announced he signed on to continue serving as Dallas’ chief of police for at least the next three years.

Chief Garcia is the best police chief in the nation, and we are thrilled to continue working together to get Dallas closer to its goal of becoming the safest major city in America.

Charter Review Moves Forward

Dallas has an opportunity right now to reshape its government. Just how much change will be up to the Dallas City Council and then to voters.

Last year, the Charter Review Commission — with members appointed by each city councilmember — began reviewing the Dallas City Charter, which is effectively the city’s Constitution. This is a process that occurs at least once every decade. The Commission put together a list of recommended amendments and presented its recommendations to the Dallas City Council earlier this month.

On Wednesday, councilmembers began revising the potential charter amendments to put before voters.

The City Council is scheduled to continue revising the potential charter changes on June 5 before the amendments go to ballots in November.

The most important part of this process is ensuring that Dallas’ foundational document reflects the type of city its residents want to live in, so take a look at the current potential amendments and contact your councilmembers to let them know where you stand.

Constituent Meetings

It’s important for any city leader to stay connected and remain available to city residents. This is why I have worked to carve out time for residents of this city — the ninth-largest in the nation — to come into City Hall and speak their minds in a one-on-one setting.

One of the best meetings of the day was with Avery Reese Webb. Avery is a 6-year-old kindergartener who is interested in local government. Avery and her mother got a personal tour of the offices and council chambers.

It is wonderful to see young Dallas students show an interest in civic engagement and city government. And knowing that kids such as Avery are part of a future generation of Dallas leaders is a reason for great optimism in a city that is already on the rise.

America’s Top Sports City

Finally, let’s talk some sports.

Dallas has had an amazing few weeks after major announcements about the arrival of a new women’s soccer team that will play at the Cotton Bowl and the Dallas Wings’ planned move to Memorial Auditorium downtown from Arlington.

And on the court and the ice, Dallas is proving once again that this is the top sports city in the United States. Both the Stars and the Mavericks are moving on to their respective Western Conference Finals after big wins this weekend. These teams both have this city fully behind them — and their playoff success shows why it pays to play your home games in the city of Dallas!

That is all for today, but more good news is on the horizon. Have a great week — and go Stars and go Mavericks!