{"id":388483,"date":"2026-07-28T01:39:16","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T01:39:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/388483\/"},"modified":"2026-07-28T01:39:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T01:39:16","slug":"icymi-district-13-updates-and-events-you-should-know-about","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/388483\/","title":{"rendered":"ICYMI: District 13 updates and events you should know about"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the July edition of the District 13 newsletter, Councilmember Gay Donnell Willis shared important updates regarding current district activities and upcoming events.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Photo courtesy of District 13 newsletter<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t Block the Box\u201d Traffic Flow Initiative<\/p>\n

In an effort to combat traffic congestion, Willis would like the input of the community to help maximize the impact of the proposed \u201cDon\u2019t Block the Box\u201d project.<\/p>\n

\u201cCouncilmember Willis is seeking resident feedback to help identify intersections throughout District 13 where vehicles frequently block traffic,\u201d the newsletter reads. \u201cAs part of a potential \u201cDon\u2019t Block the Box\u201d initiative, the office is gathering information on locations that may benefit from additional street signage to improve traffic flow and safety.\u201d<\/p>\n

Willis urges residents to fill out this survey<\/a> if they notice any of these inconveniences while driving.<\/p>\n

\u201cResident feedback will help identify problem areas and prioritize locations where signage may have the greatest impact,\u201d Willis said.<\/p>\n

Crime Watch Leaders Meeting Update<\/p>\n

On July 15, District 13 Crime Watch leaders Dallas Police Department had a meeting to review crime data and the impact of anti-crime efforts in place.<\/p>\n

\u201cDallas Police Department shared encouraging crime trends for District 13,\u201d Willis said. \u201cOverall crime peaked in 2023 with 6,546 reported incidents before declining significantly over the past two years to 5,176 incidents by the end of 2025, a nearly 21% reduction.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cDistrict 13 Crime Watch leaders and our neighborhood patrol officers\u201d (District 13 newsletter)<\/p>\n

Attendees also talked about how vehicles like golf carts and e-bikes affect traffic and safety on roads, trails and sidewalks.<\/p>\n

\u201cResidents expressed concerns about speeding, unsafe operation, and conflicts with pedestrians on shared-use paths. E-bikes are permitted on most roadways and shared-use paths unless local regulations prohibit their use. Riders should obey all traffic laws, yield to pedestrians and wear appropriate safety equipment,\u201d Willis said. \u201cIn most cases, golf carts may only be operated on roadways where the posted speed limit is 35 mph or less and must be equipped with the safety equipment required by state law.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Willis hopes residents understand the importance of motor vehicle safety and compliance both when behind the wheel of a car or operating a smaller vehicle.<\/p>\n

\u201cResponsible operation of e-bikes, golf carts, and other devices helps ensure the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists throughout our community,\u201d Willis said.<\/p>\n

Throughout the meeting, officials also discussed Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a project that aims to reduce crime within the community.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

PSN funding proposal letter. (Gay Donnell Willis)<\/p>\n

\u201cPSN [is] a collaborative public safety initiative that brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and community partners to address violent crime through data-driven strategies, prevention efforts and community engagement,\u201d Willis said.<\/p>\n

After seeing crime decrease greatly as a result, Willis is now working with her associates to obtain Congressional funding for the program in the 2027 Fiscal Year.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn Dallas, PSN-targeted neighborhoods have experienced significant reductions in crime, including decreases in homicides, auto thefts and business burglaries. Earlier this year, the program expanded into Northwest Dallas along the Harry Hines corridor, creating opportunities to build on these positive results,\u201d Willis said. \u201cResidents interested in learning more can review the letter sent to Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett advocating for continued federal funding of this program.\u201d<\/p>\n

2026 Homeownership Fair<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

2026 Homeownership Fair flyer. (Gay Donnell Willis and Southern Dallas Progress Community Development Corporation)<\/p>\n

Southern Dallas Progress Community Development Corporation<\/a> is set to host the 2026 Homeownership Fair on August 1 from 9-1 p.m. at J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, a free event open to any member of the DFW metroplex.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis event will connect aspiring homeowners with industry experts, information on down payment assistance programs, mortgage resources, credit and financial guidance and tools to support long-term housing stability,\u201d Willis said.<\/p>\n

Though hosted by a nonprofit that mainly serves South Dallas, Willis notes that the fair can greatly benefit any prospective buyer in their homeownership journey.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhether you\u2019re just beginning your homeownership journey or ready to take the next step, this event offers valuable resources to help you achieve your goals,\u201d Willis said.<\/p>\n

You can reserve your spot here<\/a>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In the July edition of the District 13 newsletter, Councilmember Gay Donnell Willis shared important updates regarding current…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":388484,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[136903,4519,3084,2671,294,102,104,103,4081,6917,136904,136905,136906,136907,55516,44881,136908,136909,3481,136910,17726,88570,1884,136911,136912],"class_list":["post-388483","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-dallas","tag-2026-homeownership-fair","tag-city-council","tag-city-hall","tag-congress","tag-crime","tag-dallas","tag-dallas-headlines","tag-dallas-news","tag-dallas-police-department","tag-dfw","tag-district-13","tag-district-13-crime-watch-leaders","tag-district-13-newsletter","tag-dont-block-the-box","tag-dpd","tag-gay-donnell-willis","tag-harry-hines","tag-j-erik-jonsson-central-library","tag-jasmine-crockett","tag-kathy-stewart","tag-northwest-dallas","tag-project-safe-neighborhoods","tag-south-dallas","tag-southern-dallas-progress-community-development-corporation","tag-southern-dallas-progress-community-development-corporation-2026-homeownership-fair"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/388483","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=388483"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/388483\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/388484"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=388483"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=388483"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=388483"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}