Weather news

DART suspends all rail and bus services due to winter weather in Dallas

No DART riding this weekend.

Courtesy of DART

Amid the freezing weather and treacherous travel conditions around Dallas, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is suspending all rail and bus services from 12 pm Friday, February 4 through 12 pm Sunday, February 6.

In a February 4 release, DART says, "The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Hard Freeze Warning for all of Dallas/Fort Worth, reporting that temperatures will remain below freezing through Saturday morning. While road conditions across the region continue to remain extremely dangerous, DART recommends everyone avoid travel wherever possible."

They advise that passengers who need emergency service should contact the DART Customer Information Center at 214-979-1111.

Also canceled are all subscription trips for DART Paratransit, "with the exception of trips for medical purposes (i.e., dialysis treatment)," they say. Those services resume Monday, February 7. Trips for Monday can be booked at 214-515-7272 or through at www.dart.org/ridepara.

The Trinity Railway Express (TRE) will operate on a Saturday schedule on Friday, February 4 and will resume a normal Saturday schedule on Saturday, February 5, the release says. Normal operations will resume Monday, February 7.

"DART will continue to monitor the weather conditions across the North Texas area for the safety of our passengers and employees, and to determine service restoration based on weather conditions," they say. "Riders can stay informed about service change updates by registering for DART Alerts at www.dart.org."

transportation weather

DPD News

Dallas hires DEA agent Daniel Comeaux as new Chief of Police

City of Dallas

DPD Chief Daniel Comeaux

Dallas has a new police chief: Daniel Comeaux, who has been appointed as the next Chief of Police of the Dallas Police Department, effective Wednesday, April 23.

Comeaux is a 33-year law enforcement veteran, currently serving as Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Drug Enforcement Agency’s Houston Field Division, overseeing 12 offices throughout Texas, including Houston, San Antonio, and Austin.

He was one of five finalists, following a nationwide search to replace former Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia who left in September for a role as assistant city manager in Austin under Dallas' former city manager, T.C. Broadnax.

Interim Dallas Police Chief Michael T. Igo was appointed to the position in October following Garcia’s retirement, and was also a finalist for the position.

In a statement, Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert — who herself was promoted from within — gave thanks to Igo "for his longstanding service to the Dallas Police Department, and his willingness to lead during this time of transition."

Comeaux's appointment comes one day after the appointment of Justin Ball as new Chief of Dallas Fire-Rescue (DFR), also effective April 23. Ball was also promoted from within.

Comeaux is a native of New Orleans who began his career in 1991 with the Houston Police Department, specializing in community policing, narcotics enforcement, and high-risk investigations. In 1997, he transitioned to the DEA, where he led major operations in Houston, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, targeting violent crime and drug trafficking. The release says that his strategies resulted in significant crime reduction, including a 40 perecent decrease in overdose deaths in Laredo, Texas; and that his leadership has focused on intelligence-driven crime reduction, operational efficiency, interagency collaboration, and officer development.

“I joined the police force because I witnessed what can happen to neighborhoods that aren’t safe," Comeaux said in a statement. "At the federal level, I am known as the local cop because of my collaborative approach to tackling crime and my dedication to developing leaders in public safety who are bridge builders for the community. I am proud that my career in law enforcement has come full circle and look forward to serving alongside the men and women of the Dallas Police Department."

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