Crime-Breaking Camaraderie

FBI cozies up to Dallas-area police to solve kidnappings and bank robberies

Dallas kidnappers, bank robbers and extortionists will have to look over their shoulders even more thanks to a new agreement between the FBI, the U.S. Attorney's Office, and police departments in Dallas and Garland.

Dubbed the FBI Dallas Violent Crimes Task Force, the agreement sets up formal collaboration between local and federal agencies in the investigation, conviction and sentencing phases. Special agent Diego Rodriguez announced the agreement, which has been in effect since October, at a November 14 press conference.

"Now is the safest Dallas has been in 50 years," police chief David Brown says. "We've been quite successful, but we're not satisfied."

Rodriguez says the task force is focused on kidnappers, bank robbers, active shooters and murderers, as well as transnational organized crime and criminal enterprises.

"They instill fear. They may act alone or team up," Rodriguez says, adding that he believes the task force "will make a noticeable impact on the community."

Since its inception in October, Rodriguez says the task force has already solved and prosecuted two major crimes: a kidnapping in Dallas and a bank robbery in Addison. Both perpetrators were charged federally for their respective crimes, meaning they are not eligible for parole.

Dallas police chief David Brown says the task force aggressively combats crime by "bringing prolific, violent offenders to justice in the federal system using rigid sentencing guidelines."

Quoting department statistics that show a historic reduction in violent crimes, Brown says Dallas police aren't letting up anytime soon. "Now is the safest Dallas has been in 50 years," Brown says. "We've been quite successful, but we're not satisfied."

Although the task force might seem like an insulated law enforcement agreement, U.S. Attorney Sarah Saldaña emphasized its importance for everyone. "Violent crime is the entire community's business," Saldaña says. "Ordinary citizens can get caught in the crossfire."

The FBI says its new task force has already solved a Dallas kidnapping and bank robbery.

unspecified

Weed News

Texas Rep. Jessica González of Dallas files bill to legalize marijuana

Redheaded Blackbelt

undefined

Texas Rep. Jessica González of Dallas has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

politics marijuana