Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux and Councilman Paul Ridley spoke in Oak Lawn about public safety in Dallas on Thursday (Jan. 15) in Arlington Hall in Turtle Creek Park. More than 100 people attended. Comeaux has been in office about nine months.
Before taking questions, Comeaux spoke for more than 30 minutes highlighting how the city is doing. For the fifth consecutive year, violent crime is down across Dallas, he said. And in District 14, which Ridley represents, streetlights will all be LED by the end of the year.
Comeaux said one of the things that surprised him during his first year in Dallas was the number of people who asked him why more traffic enforcement isn’t done. He said he increased traffic patrols in three of the worst intersections in each council district. Since writing more tickets, he said, there have been 45 fewer traffic deaths.
Recruiting new officers is going well. Dallas voters chose to increase the size of the police force and in his first year, the chief said he exceeded the 2025 goal of 300 new hires with 330 actually hired. He expects to meet and exceed his goals this year as well.
Dealing with homelessness is a major problem police face. DPD is working with more social service people to implement its “street to home” program and in his first year, the moved 250 unhoused people into housing units.
Comeaux said he believes in compassion before enforcement and Dallas’ use of right care teams to lead mental health calls was one of the reasons he wanted to come to Dallas and work with DPD. He said Dallas has a national reputation that we proactively work to keep people safe.
As he was answering a question from the audience about street racing, motorcycles could be heard racing down Turtle Creek Boulevard.
“Where’s a police officer when you need one,” he joked.
— David Taffet
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