Dallas crime down in October, chief says work not done yet

Murders, aggravated injuries and robberies in Dallas have all decreased while the rest of the state has increased

DALLAS – Violent crime is increasing across the state and in all major cities except Dallas. Dallas had one of the safest October in nearly five years.

Dallas has seen a decrease in homicides, serious assaults and robberies.

Experts say the Dallas Police Department’s new crime plan and outreach will help bring the numbers down.

Antong Lucky took us through the former Doc’s Store, a place where crime was rampant.

“This area used to be a magnet for drugs, crime, violence, the whole 9 meters took place here,” said Lucky.

Antong, along with his organization Urban Specialists, has worked with the Dallas Police Department and chief Eddie Garcia to tackle crime in the area and he says it’s working.

“These are boys and girls from the hot-spot communities. Some of them used to be the drivers of crime, but now they have made changes and are now helping the community, ”said Lucky.

For months DPD has been targeting certain networks across the city to combat violent crime. Chief Garcia says it’s the job of the men and women at DPD, but also says that he can’t do it without the help of the community.

“It’s about giving people a break when they see a cop in a neighborhood and maybe they’ll take a deep breath and do something else,” Garcia said.

What Dallas is doing seems to be working.

Statistics just released by the Texas Department of Public Security show that violent crime has increased across the state this year. Homicides increased by 35% and serious assault by 15%.

But crime was falling in Dallas. Murders have decreased by 27% while serious assaults have decreased by 25%.

The criminologist Dr. Michael Smith helped DPD develop its crime plan, which targets the most violent criminals in the most violent areas.

“This is great news in Dallas. I’m a criminologist, so as a social scientist, I’m naturally cautious and skeptical. I am cautiously optimistic about the future, ”said Dr. Smith.

Dr. Smith says crime is increasing in major cities across the country. He says it’s hard to tell what’s causing the surge. But he says a shortage of police officers and an anti-police sentiment caused some police officers to pause.

“I think this has implications for the police and their willingness to get involved, and ongoing economic turmoil that we are not yet out of. This is often associated with violent crime, ”said Dr. Smith.

Chief Garcia agrees but says his officers are hired and morale is up, but there’s a lot to do with fewer officers.

He says the department will not declare victory, especially since a teenage girl was killed this week and they have been trying to keep crime under control in places like Deep Ellum.

“It’s difficult to scream success when tragedy occurs, so we don’t scream for success at all. This is a journey, not a destination, ”said Garcia.

Anong Lucky says he thinks things are changing.

What was once a hotspot will soon be a new business serving hot coffee.

He says they can work with the police to turn things around.

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