Crime



			Crime is on our minds I had assumed the Whole Foods parking lot was safe. Since hearing about the brutal robbery there I have been looking over my shoulder much more. Unfortunately we can't let down our guard. So I am going to devote this newsletter to crime, crime watch, crime statistics and the search for a new police chief.

			District 13 Crime Watch Leaders This past Monday evening I met in my home with 32 leaders of neighborhood and crime watch groups in District 13. Deputy Chief Jesse Reyes of the North Central Police Division and Acting Commander Paul Stokes of the Northwest Division addressed the group. I organized the meeting so that grass roots leaders could exchange ideas with each other and police. I was especially pleased that newer groups and group leaders were represented. I am deeply concerned about the rash of property crimes in District 13. Residential burglaries were up in the last month by 28% from 42 to 54 incidents. Burglary of motor vehicles was down by 27% but there were still 102 incidents. DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING OF ANY VALUE VISIBLE IN YOUR CAR. I urge you to become active in your crime watch group or neighborhood association. Be a block captain. Join your board. If you don't know who to call, email me with your address and I will let you know. When neighbors know each other and work together, crime goes down!

			Dallas Police Volunteer Opportunities You can help the police fight crime through three volunteer programs: Get more information about VIP, CHIPS and COPS.

			Dallas Police Web site For current information on crimes in your area go to www.dallaspolice.net. Register for rapid notification of crime information. This is a great website. Check it out.

			Dallas Crime Statistics 2009 Dallas ended 2009 with a drop of 6.4% in crime from the previous year. Murders were down to 166 down 32% since 2004 and the lowest since 1967. This was the sixth consecutive year that crime was down overall and the eighth consecutive year that violent crime was down. The city has invested heavily in adding over 500 officers and additional equipment and technology in the last 3 years. The department has become more effective at deploying resources to high crime "hotspots" which saw a 23% decrease in violent crime over 2008. Get crime data for your neighborhood.

			Dallas Crime Statistics Accuracy While murder statistics are very accurate, there have been questions about the way in which other crimes are counted. I am concerned that our statistics accurately reflect the crimes that occurs and that we can reasonably compare one year to the next. These numbers have to mean something. I am expecting a briefing in the Public Safety Committee to explain more about reporting issues. I want to know that we can trust the numbers we are given.

			Kunkle Retiring/Hiring New Police Chief Police Chief David Kunkle is retiring April 30. City Manager Mary Suhm is conducting a national search for a new chief. If you would like to provide input to Ms. Suhm, please take a moment to fill out this survey. It is my desire that the new chief be committed to reducing all crime, but with a strong focus on the property crimes that are plaguing our residential neighborhoods. I want someone who will bring innovative ideas to Dallas. I want a strong leader and manager who can communicate well and is accessible. But most of all, I want someone with absolute integrity. This person must have the trust of the police department and the diverse communities that make up the City of Dallas.