Violent crime in downtown Dallas is down more than 16 percent this year — a turnaround city and business leaders credit to a coordinated safety push aimed at restoring confidence in the urban core.
Downtown Dallas Inc shared the numbers at its annual State of Downtown event this week at the Thompson Hotel, where the organization’s president Jennifer Scripps and Police Chief Daniel Comeaux highlighted progress made through the “Safe in the City” initiative, launched in May to address concerns about public safety as major tenants reassess their downtown space.
The initiative raised more than $2.5 million, including $1.5 million from Communities Foundation of Texas, $500,000 from the Dallas Regional Chamber, $400,000 from the Dallas Citizens Council and $100,000 from the Hoblitzelle Foundation. The money has gone toward expanding patrols and bolstering quality-of-life programs.
Downtown now has more than 120 police officers assigned to the district, up from 90 a year ago.
“We have to be more present,” Comeaux said, a New Orleans native who previously served with the Houston Police Department. “When people see the police, they tend to do less.”
Comeaux said traffic enforcement has also been a focus: within 30 days of ramping up the effort, officers issued 400 tickets, an illustration they said of how “out of control” things had become.
Whether the public safety efforts sway some big employers to hang onto their downtown offices remains to be seen, or if other factors weigh heavier on their decision-making processes.
AT&T is searching for office space in the suburbs, despite spending $100 million to develop a four-block headquarters campus that included the AT&T Discovery District seven years ago.
AT&T holds a 1.1 million-square-foot lease at the 37-story Whitacre Tower, at 208 South Akard Street in downtown Dallas, through 2030. The telecom giant has been expanding in suburban areas such as Richardson in recent years, with over 400 employees officing away from downtown.
DDI data also showed a 27 percent drop in quality-of-life violations such as public sleeping, panhandling and disorderly conduct. The group reported that it rehoused more than 250 people who had been living in downtown encampments.
Comeaux said Dallas police are preparing to implement a drone-first response system to cut down on emergency response times and improve community trust. He also touted recruitment momentum, noting that DPD recently launched its second-largest police academy class with 77 cadets — a rare achievement compared to other parts of the country as departments nationwide struggle to fill ranks.
With Dallas gearing up to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup and a $3 billion redo of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Comeaux said the department’s focus is maintaining public safety for major events and residents alike.
“This year, we’ve retained more officers than any year recently,” Comeaux said. “It’s coming from morale — and culture.”
— Eric Weilbacher
Read more
AT&T hints at headquarters move from downtown Dallas to suburbs
Dallas’ downtown ambition meets AT&T frustration, arena complication
Half-empty Harwood Center hits auction block in downtown Dallas
Look: Developers’ glassy plans for Comerica Bank Tower mixed-use redevelopment
