Chief of Police Eddie Garcia and fellow law enforcement officials presented a large collection of data to Dallas City Council members June 15. The presentation covered violent crime reduction strategies and challenges the department faces in recruitment.
“Although one life is too many, we are proud that collectively with our community, we were able to reduce violent crime in 2021,” Garcia said. “But our work is long from over. There is much more work to be done.”
According to the presentation, business robberies showed the largest decline of 37% compared to 2020. Individual robberies were down 27%, murders were down 12% and aggravated assaults were down 2%.
Garcia said Dallas police will work with U.S. Attorney Chad Meacham to focus on prosecuting crimes related to apartment complexes, including instances involving prior felons with handguns or drug dealers with handguns.
“With regard to our murder and drilling down the importance of where events are occurring ... that's in apartment complexes,” Garcia said.
Fewer applicants are applying to the Dallas Police Department compared to last fiscal year, the presentation indicated. For fiscal year 2020-21, a total of 4,481 police applications were received. That number is down to 2,456 with roughly three months left in fiscal year 2021-22.
Dallas police have placed a renewed focus on recruiting trips to address the applicant shortage, including trips to more than 150 universities so far this year. The department has also traveled to New York City, and is planning trips to Puerto Rico and elsewhere.
Residents in and around the Lake Highlands neighborhood will soon be able to speak with Garcia.
A community meeting with the police chief will be held at 8 a.m. on July 7 at the Lake Highlands North Recreation Center, 9940 White Rock Trail. Guests are encouraged to prepare questions and observations to share with Garcia, Council Liaison Maddy Madrazo said in an email.
Recognition of the deadly ambush on Dallas police that occurred on July 7, 2016, will also take place during the meeting. In addition, a celebration of members with the Volunteers In Patrol team will be held.
The full presentation can be can be downloaded and viewed here.
