DALLAS — Last year, North Texas’ two biggest cities saw two new police chiefs, both tasked with lowering crime. Dallas has significantly more crime than Fort Worth in nearly every category, mostly because of its larger size and population. But, between the two cities, the rate at which it is increasing and decreasing has some differences despite being so close together.

In Dallas, the New Year began with a boast from the police.

“The consistent and proactive dedicated efforts of our police officers have another four years plus a few months of reduced crime for the city of Dallas,” said Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux at a public safety meeting.

Dallas police report that overall violent crime fell in 2025 by approximately 12%.

“At least with crime overall, I think education is important,” said Jacqueline Shaw, a member of the Dallas County Crime Victims Council. For Shaw, these statistics have faces.

“We work with all victims of crime,” said Shaw. “It could be anywhere from domestic violence to drunk driving. It could be sexual assault.”

Dallas police also reported a decrease in homicides by nearly 26%. That’s 42 fewer deaths and falls in line with a national trend.

In 2025, most of the country saw a drop in violent crime, particularly homicides. But Cow Town struggled to join the two-step. By September, city data showed homicides were up for the year by 22%. That month, Fort Worth hired Eddie Garcia as its new police chief. Here’s what he told Spectrum News when he first took office.

“I take crime reduction personally,” said Garcia. “That’s who I am.”

Since then, Fort Worth has seen a decrease in homicides. Three fewer people died at the end of 2025 compared to the last quarter of 2024. But overall, the yearly homicide rate stayed 8% higher than the year prior. Both Dallas and Fort Worth saw a decrease in other violent crimes as well, like aggravated assault.

While the overall drop in violent crime is good news, Shaw—who works with Mothers Against Drunk Driving—added that more victims of drunk driving are coming to her. 

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, deputies made 4,000 more DWI charges in 2025 than in 2024. However, some of those charges were dropped in court. So for Shaw, there’s still a lot of work to do.

“To see reduced crime overall, not just with drunk driving,” said Shaw. “Overall crime. I want to see it lower.”

The Dallas City Council also tasked the police chief in January with creating a plan to lower random gunshots in the city.

For victims of crime or their families seeking help in Dallas, Shaw provided the following email address: dallascrimevictims@gmail.com.