How can I find out what types of crimes are occurring in my neighborhood?
The Dallas Police Department shares its crime report data with the Community Crime Map website. On the website, you can enter any address into the search toolbar and view a map showing the recent criminal incidents that were reported in your neighborhood. You can also create charts depicting crime trends in your neighborhood.
How do I report crime that is occurring in my neighborhood?
The Dallas Police Department offers at least 4 different ways to report a crime or suspected criminal activity. First and foremost, DPD advises people to call 911 to report all emergencies, including any incident when you or another person are in immediate physical danger.
However, if you are a victim of a crime such as Burglary of a Motor Vehicle or a Hit-and-Run (no physical injuries), you may file a report online via DPD’s Online Incident Reporting System. DPD’s website lists all of the crimes that may be reported online.
Victims of crime may also visit a DPD Patrol Station to report a crime.
And, finally, you may anonymously report suspected criminal activity via the iWatch app.
I live at an apartment complex where there is a lot of drug dealing and assaults. Can the city do anything to make the property manager take steps to reduce crime?
Most property owners strive to be responsible community members; they won’t tolerate criminal activity occurring on their property and will promptly resolve any code violations that occur at their property. However, when a property owner repeatedly neglects to adequately maintain and manage their property, the City of Dallas may take steps to designate their property as a Habitual Criminal Property (crime) and/or a Habitual Nuisance Property (code violations). Owners of such properties are subject to monthly fees and must display a placard on their property.
The Dallas City Attorney’s Office Community Prosecution Team accepts nuisance property referrals from city departments and community leaders. A Community Prosecutor is assigned to each Council District in the city.
How do I start a crime watch in my neighborhood?
The Dallas Police Department encourages groups of neighbors to form a crime watch and for neighbors to obtain DPD-sponsored Volunteers in Patrol (V.I.P) training. If you are interested in forming a crime watch, you should contact your DPD Patrol Division.
Once your crime watch starts holding regular meetings, you can request that DPD schedule a Neighborhood Patrol Officer (NPOs) to attend your meeting and provide a crime update.
DPD also regularly facilitates a Dallas Police Citizen’s Academy where Dallas residents can learn about the role and operation of local law enforcement. Topics include: functions of the patrol officer, use of force, and the investigation of crimes.
How does the Dallas Police Department decide how to allocate police resources to address crime?
While the Dallas Police Department responds to all forms of criminal activity – whether violent or non-violent – it prioritizes the prevention of, response to, and investigation of violent crime.
In 2021, DPD began implementing its Violent Crime Reduction Plan. DPD describes the Violent Crime Reduction Plan as follows:” This document sets forth the Dallas Police Department’s (DPD) strategic plan for reducing violent crime in the City’s most violence-prone areas and thereby reducing aggregate levels of reported violence City-wide.”
What is National Night Out?
According to the National Association of Town Watch, “National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie…Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much, much more.” In Texas, NNO is usually held on the first Tuesday in October. Neighborhood organizations and crime watches may register for free with the National Association of Town Watch and will receive a NNO guide and coordinator toolkit.
How do I get crime watch signs installed on my neighborhood’s street signs?
Active crime watch groups may submit a request to their DPD Patrol Division to have “Crime Watch” signs installed on neighborhood street signs.
What is the process for hiring off-duty DPD officers to patrol my neighborhood?
Through its Expanded Neighborhood Patrol Program, the Dallas Police Department allows off-duty officers to be hired by neighborhood organizations who are willing to pay for extra police presence. The off-duty officers are armed, uniformed, and patrol the neighborhood in a marked squad car. The neighborhood organization negotiates with officers regarding their hourly rate and frequency/length of their ENP patrol shift. Contact your DPD Patrol Division to learn more about the ENP Program.
I heard about a training program for disaster preparedness. How do I locate information about the program?
The City of Dallas offers free training for community members who are interested in serving on the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). According to the City’s website, “The CERT program teaches our volunteer members about disaster preparedness for hazards that affect our area. The program trains you in basic disaster response skills (fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations).”