DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Department of Public Safety on Wednesday to provide direct support to the Dallas Police Department in their efforts to reduce violent crime and protect the communities in the city of Dallas.
At least 220 murders have occurred in Dallas already this year, which is higher than the total number of homicides in all of 2019. Seven people were murdered last weekend alone.
“The rise in violent crime in the city of Dallas is unacceptable, and the Texas Department of Public Safety will assist the Dallas Police Department in their efforts to protect the community and reduce this surge in crime,” said Governor Abbott. “Every Texan deserves to feel safe in their own community, and the State of Texas will continue to provide the city of Dallas with the resources they need to crack down on this heinous activity and protect Dallas residents.”
According to the Governor, DPS will be deploying multiple resources to support the operation, including DPS Special Agents, State Troopers to support DPS gang and drug investigative operations, and a team of DPS Intelligence Analysts. DPS will also provide two helicopters and two patrol planes to provide direct air support and a team of Texas Rangers to support DPD homicide investigations. Additional resources will be made available should they be requested by DPD.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson applauded the additional resources.
“I am grateful for the Governor’s willingness to assist Dallas as we combat the unacceptable increases in violent crime in our city,” said Mayor Johnson. “This ongoing situation requires an all-hands-on-deck response, and I will continue to push for strategies and partnerships that will reduce crime in our neighborhoods. The people of Dallas deserve our unwavering commitment to their safety.”
The Mayor said Wednesday that he is sick and tired of the violence in Dallas. He called for action.
“We will not allow any longer for these things to just be words on a page and words uttered at a council meeting,” the Mayor insisted. “We must have results, and we must have results now.”
Earlier this week Dallas Police Chief Renee Hall said the department would increase the number of Officers in areas experiencing violent crime. Johnson called the move “long overdue.”
The Mayor plans to ask for a monthly report from the City Manager about the specifics being done to reduce violent crime. He said he would be transparent with those reports.
Listen to Clayton Neville’s story below:
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