Reported crime declines in Dallas
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Reported crime in Dallas is down nearly 10% compared to this time last year, according to the latest police statistics.
Why it matters: A lobbying group behind three proposed amendments to the City Charter claims Dallas is facing rising crime and must add 900 police officers.
- Opponents, including the Dallas Police Association and current and former city leaders, say the measures are unrealistic and unnecessary.
The big picture: The Dallas Police Department has struggled with retention and hiring new officers for years — mirroring law enforcement agencies nationwide.
- Other large cities, like Denver and Philadelphia, have set ambitious hiring goals for their police departments.
Flashback: A Gallup poll last year found that people view Dallas as the safest of 16 large U.S. cities, a finding that mostly reflects reality in the area.
The latest: The Dallas Police Department has seen a net gain of officers this year, exceeding its goal of hiring at least 250 new police officers.
- The department employs 3,121 sworn officers, according to the latest figures, about 40 more than in 2022.
Context: It takes about two years from the time a person applies to be an officer to when they are fully trained and working patrol.
State of play: Staffing remains below the 3,500-officer standard set a decade ago, but crime has continued to drop in Dallas.
- Under outgoing police Chief Eddie Garcia, the department implemented a crime reduction plan that focuses resources on high crime areas.
By the numbers: All reported crime, including violent offenses, have declined in Dallas for the past three years since pandemic-era spikes.
- Murders are down 27% so far this year compared to the same period last year, when there was a spike in homicides.
- There were 246 murders last year, compared to 214 in 2022.
Yes, but: Robberies of businesses have increased about 12% so far this year compared to the same period last year. Police officials said they are developing an initiative to combat that trend.