Last spring, an outing with friends began in Deep Ellum. As we parked, one friend voiced a concern about not feeling safe. She’d heard enough about crime in the area to stay away after dark. Another friend, more familiar with the neighborhood, tried to calm her fears, saying that Dallas has pockets of crime, but it’s not widespread.
She wasn’t convinced. I don’t come here at night, she said.
Perceptions like these are exactly what new Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux is up against. On paper, he’s inheriting a department with promising momentum. Violent crime is down 14% year-to-date, continuing a three-year trend. Through April, the city reported 409 fewer victims of violent crime compared to the same period in 2024, including 21 fewer murders and 224 fewer aggravated assaults, Comeaux reported to the City Council this month.
But numbers alone won’t win the day. My friend still gets nervous visiting Deep Ellum.
In an email response last week, Comeaux acknowledged as much:
“I understand and acknowledge our community ’ concerns. Violent crime has decreased every year for the last four years, and to improve communication, we will share more stories showcasing our officers’ excellent work, from major drug seizures to life-saving actions. My new initiative — Operation Justice Trail —adds officers to our already dedicated units focused on arresting individuals with violent felony warrants. I am committed to transparency and engaging with our community to ensure everyone feels safe.”
That engagement can’t come soon enough. While citywide crime may be down, key areas tell a different story. Crime in downtown Dallas and some surrounding neighborhoods rose 34% from 2020 to 2024, according to police data — even though violent crime dropped slightly, by 3%. Response times also remain a concern.
For visitors downtown, the city can seem downright unwelcoming. Homelessness has been out of control, prompting a massive effort involving police, City Hall, nonprofits, and the business community. Even on busy streets near upscale hotels and restaurants, far too many incidents of senseless violence occur. A 28-year-old Houston woman was shot and killed in April after her friend touched a ing car near Main Street in Downtown Dallas.
These incidents linger in the public imagination, reinforcing the narrative that downtown Dallas isn’t safe, especially at night. That perception dims the appeal of our best restaurants, live music venues, and bars. It also discourages visitors who might otherwise spend time and money downtown.
High-end development and revitalization are transforming Dallas, but the benefits won’t stick unless people feel safe. That means going beyond traditional patrols. It requires precision, strategy, research and partnerships.
I recently wrapped up University of Chicago economist Jens Ludwig’s new book, Unforgiving Places: The Unexpected Origins of American Gun Violence, which shares novel research on effective policing. Contrary to the idea that most shootings are planned, Ludwig argues, many result from quick, unplanned conflicts in unstable, high-risk areas. These “unforgiving places” often lack trusted adults, safe environments and strong community . He suggests marrying a strong police presence with enhanced community involvement to create social programs to make these environments more ive and less prone to violence.
According to Chief Comeaux’s office, such an effort is already underway in hot spots throughout the city, including downtown
“The Dallas Police Department’s Violent Crime Reduction Plan, started in 2021, mapped out the city into 330-square-foot grids, giving us a microscopic view of the areas where crime is most prevalent,” a spokesperson shared. “We use a variety of enforcement, education, and preventative tools to respond to and eliminate violent crime threats in those grids. The hot spots are reviewed every 60 days, and adjustments are made by commanders as needed.”
Chief Comeaux has his work cut out for him. But if he can restore a sense of safety in downtown Dallas and cool the city’s hottest crime zones, he’ll be celebrated. And Dallas will be better for it. I’m pulling for him; we all should.