Dallas reviewing city ordinance regulating massage businesses

Details: The Dallas Police Department has made 38 arrests in the past two years during 22 investigations into massage businesses, according to a presentation at the Public Safety Committee meeting yesterday.

• 50 employees at massage businesses were offered social services, according to police.

Yes, but: These businesses are typically investigated as a result of complaints, not a "consistent regulatory process," city officials say.

• Massage businesses are licensed by the state and city code cannot supersede those regulations.

The big picture: Like most U.S. cities, Dallas saw a sharp increase in violent crime in 2020, but crime has dropped since Chief Eddie Garcia was hired and implemented his crime reduction plan last year.

• The violent crime reduction plan has so far focused on hot spot policing, which means officers target geographic areas with historically high crime rates.

By the numbers: Violent crime dropped more than 3% in 2021 compared to 2020.

• In 2020, there were 254 murders. In 2021, there were 220, according to police data.
• Property crimes dropped 3.5% in 2021 compared to 2020.

What’s next: Council members have also expressed concern about crime at sexually oriented businesses and will consider changing the city ordinance on Jan. 26 to require the businesses to close at 2am.