Violent crime in downtown Dallas has decreased by more than 16 percent this year, according to figures released by Downtown Dallas Inc. at its annual State of Downtown event held at the Thompson Hotel. City officials and business leaders attribute the decline to a collaborative safety initiative known as “Safe in the City,” which was launched in May to address concerns about public safety as major companies reconsider their presence in the city center.
The “Safe in the City” program has raised over $2.5 million, with contributions including $1.5 million from Communities Foundation of Texas, $500,000 from the Dallas Regional Chamber, $400,000 from the Dallas Citizens Council, and $100,000 from the Hoblitzelle Foundation. The funding has been used to expand police patrols and support quality-of-life programs for residents and businesses.
As a result of these efforts, there are now more than 120 police officers assigned to downtown Dallas—an increase from 90 officers last year.
“We have to be more present,” said Police Chief Daniel Comeaux. “When people see the police, they tend to do less.”
Chief Comeaux also noted that increased traffic enforcement has been part of the strategy. Within one month of ramping up these efforts, officers issued 400 tickets. He described this as evidence of how problematic some behaviors had become.
Quality-of-life violations such as public sleeping, panhandling, and disorderly conduct have dropped by 27 percent over the same period. Downtown Dallas Inc reported that it helped rehouse more than 250 people who were previously living in encampments within downtown.
Despite these improvements in public safety statistics and initiatives targeting homelessness and disorderly conduct, it remains unclear whether large employers will maintain their offices downtown or relocate elsewhere—a decision influenced by multiple factors.
AT&T is reportedly looking for office space outside downtown despite investing heavily in its headquarters campus at AT&T Discovery District just seven years ago. The company currently holds a lease for 1.1 million square feet at Whitacre Tower through 2030 but has expanded its operations into suburban areas like Richardson where over 400 employees now work away from downtown.
Looking ahead to major upcoming events such as the FIFA World Cup in 2026 and redevelopment projects like the planned $3 billion overhaul of Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Chief Comeaux said maintaining public safety remains a top priority for both residents and visitors.
“This year, we’ve retained more officers than any year recently,” Comeaux said. “It’s coming from morale — and culture.”
He also mentioned plans for implementing a drone-first response system aimed at reducing emergency response times and building community trust while highlighting recent recruitment successes: DPD recently launched its second-largest academy class with 77 cadets amid nationwide challenges filling law enforcement positions.
