| Dallas held its breath this week as a wave of leadership ceremonies brought in a new police chief, a new fire chief—and, for the most part, the same City Council. Amid ongoing public safety concerns, voters headed to the polls and city officials gathered at Concord Church to welcome Police Chief Daniel Comeaux and Fire Chief Justin Ball. But despite the fresh titles and smiling photos, the deeper crisis remains unresolved. Chief Comeaux, formerly a high-ranking DEA official in Houston, inherits a department that’s hundreds of officers short. The city is still out of compliance with Prop U, the voter-approved amendment requiring 4,000 officers on staff. Meanwhile, Chief Ball, a 25-year veteran of Dallas Fire-Rescue, takes the reins of a department battling rising call volumes, burnout, and a series of firefighter suicides. Both leaders have their work cut out for them. In the City Council election, little changed. Most incumbents cruised to re-election, bolstered by large fundraising advantages. Districts 4 and 6 will see new faces—Maxie Johnson and Laura Cadena won their races outright—but Districts 8 and 11 are heading into runoffs. The rest of the council remains largely intact, leaving residents with the feeling that City Hall is content to maintain the status quo. Meanwhile, the city’s problems are accelerating. Downtown violent crime has surged 42% since 2019, according to a recent study. Dallas ranks among the most dangerous nightlife destinations in the U.S., and major employers like AT&T are pulling out. The disconnect between city leadership and public concern has never felt wider. |
| If you’re tired of being ignored, let your city council member hear from you. Demand accountability. Demand action. Public safety isn’t a talking point—it’s a crisis. And it’s up to all of us to hold them to their promises. Contact Your Council Member |
New Chiefs, Same Emergency
Leadership changed hands this week, but the crisis didn’t. As violent crime surges and downtown collapses, City Hall keeps celebrating photo ops while ignoring the fire. Here’s what that reality actually looks like. Dallas got new chiefs, but the same broken system.
| Press Highlights: |
| Oak Cliff Church Burglarized Before Food Drive—Still Holds Service A church in Oak Cliff was burglarized just before a food drive, with thieves stealing all the media equipment and trashing the building. But the pastor says Sunday service will still happen. Even with no sound system, the message will be loud and clear. |
| Two Dallas 911 Employees Fired for Theft and DWI Two Dallas 911 employees were just fired—one for theft, the other for DWI. Chief Comeaux says all personnel will be held to the same standard, sworn or civilian. Accountability has to start in-house. |
| Homeless Offender Attacks Tourist Downtown—City Did Nothing A Chicago tourist was randomly punched in the face downtown by a homeless man with a violent record—including kidnapping, indecency with a child, and assault. The city knew he was dangerous and did nothing. How many more victims before Dallas takes action? |
District 2, Councilman Jesse Moreno
“Coombs Street Crisis Camp”
What started as a few tents has now exploded into a full-scale encampment under the freeway on Coombs Street. Clothes are strung between columns, trash and debris line the sidewalk, and the area looks more like a third-world shantytown than part of a major American city. Councilman Jesse Moreno, how long are you going to let this grow before taking action to clear it—and offer real paths off the streets?
District 6, Councilman Omar Narvaez
“Hidden in Plain Sight on Stemmons”
Tucked beneath a major freeway in Arlington Park, this hidden encampment is fenced in but clearly active—another example of how encampments don’t go away, they just get harder to see. Councilman Narvaez, is this the kind of long-term solution you’re comfortable with for your district?
District 2, Councilman Jesse Moreno
“Behind the Fence, Beyond the Law”
A locked fence and a “No Trespassing” sign weren’t enough to stop this underpass from turning into a full-blown encampment. It sits wide open along a busy stretch of Malcolm X Blvd, in clear view of thousands of drivers every day. Councilman Jesse Moreno, what message does this send to the public—and to those choosing to live here?
