I have supported our Police Chief in increasing the number of police and providing resources for innovative crime-fighting programs. These have worked.

In 2010, overall crime in Dallas dropped by10.2%. This is the seventh consecutive year that crime is down, achieving a 36% reduction during that seven-year timeframe.

It is also the ninth consecutive year of a reduction in violent crime which has dropped by nearly half over the last nine years. The number of murders in 2010 was the lowest in 43 years.

How has this reduction been achieved?
Over the past five years, the police force has increased from 2,900 sworn officers to 3,650, an increase of 26%.

In addition, the Dallas Police Department has become more strategic in its approach to preventing crime before it happens. Fifty percent of crime occurs in 27 areas of the city, so increased resources have gone into those areas.

New initiatives like the Mandatory Crime Reduction Ordinance have given police the tools they have needed to work with managers of high-crime apartments. Here we have been able to gain better compliance with lighting, loitering, code and other standards. Our Goldstar program has also allowed low-crime apartments to advertise their "Gold Star" status as a marketing advantage.

Dallas Police Chief David Brown and all of our public safety officers are to be commended and appreciated for all they do to help us be safe.

Encourage Neighborhood Involvement
District 13 is extremely well organized with virtually the entire district included in a crime watch or neighborhood association. There are many wonderful ideas and programs that can be shared. Some groups have exceptional VIP (Volunteers in Patrol) programs while others are exploring the use of cameras.

I will continue to sponsor quarterly meetings with neighborhood leaders so that we can hear from local leaders and learn from each other.

Also review how I plan to continue focusing on:

• Economic development
• Fiscal responsibility and transparency