Johnson’s office sent a statement July 5 outlining initiatives that build upon Police Chief Eddie Garcia’s violent crime reduction plan. The statement follows a June 15 presentation given by Garcia and other police staff sharing updated statistics related to crime in Dallas.
A new policy on blight remediation is in the works, according to the mayor’s statement. Johnson and the city attorney’s office are working together “to take the city’s blight remediation efforts to the next level” by modeling it off a program implemented in Philadelphia.
Further initiatives in the statement included greater coordination between school districts and the city to expand “social and emotional” learning programs. In addition, Johnson called for funding a focused deterrence program in the upcoming budget and for implementing it “as soon as possible.”
Johnson also wants the city to protest the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission licenses of certain businesses that have created public safety problems in nightlife districts.
Briefings from committees supporting City Council were also requested by Johnson. According to the statement, Johnson requested briefings in the fall on city strategies that improve public safety in Dallas.
“As we face new challenges this year, we must be relentless in our pursuit of public safety policies and partnerships that can make a measurable impact in our communities,” Johnson said in the statement.
City Manager T.C. Broadnax thanked Johnson for bringing the initiatives forward. A memo from Johnson to Broadnax and City Attorney Chris Caso can be reviewed here.
“These plans, combined with all of our holistic public safety strategies, can help us reduce crime and strengthen our neighborhoods,” Broadnax said. “By working collaboratively, I know we can achieve our shared goal of making Dallas the safest major city in the United States.”
