Dallas voters approved a measure to increase police staffing, despite concerns about cost and recruitment. Surprisingly, violent crime rates dropped significantly in 2024, prompting discussions about the city's public safety strategy.
A curious thing happened last year as worried Dallas voters passed a charter amendment pushing for the hiring of more police officers. The city’s violent crime rate dropped.
And not by just a little. According to year-end data briefed before a Dallas City Council committee this week, overall violent crime in 2024 was down 8.26% from 2023. Murders decreased 26.2%.Dallas voters in November approved Proposition U requiring, in part, that the city spend half of its excess revenue maintaining a police force of at least 4,000 — an increase of around 900 officers. Dallas Hero, the nonprofit that backed the proposition, cited violent crime.
Dallas police are particularly proud of their focused deterrence efforts, which include other agencies and nonprofits. Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot told us that members of his staff are “part of the team that knocks on doors and engages with these individuals and their families and pairs them with services that reduce the likelihood of them committing violent crimes.” That’s the kind of grassroots crime-fighting measure that makes a difference.
Also during the crime briefing, city staff members indicated that, based on their review of recent budget allocations, they are “confident that these investments align with the priorities of City of Dallas residents as expressed in the November election,” according to a memo.With those battle lines drawn, we’ll watch for a fight to play out at City Hall in coming weeks and months. Dallas must address the concerns of residents all over the city, not just in high-crime areas.
CRIMEREDUCTION LAWENFORCEMENT PUBLICSAFETY POLICEBRUTALITY CITYGOVERNANCE
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