Crime News

Violent crime in Dallas dropped in 2023, part of a bigger downward trend

Dallas Police Department

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Dallas saw a significant decrease in violent crime in the past year, part of a larger downward trend, according to statistics from the Dallas Police Department.

Overall violent crime dropped by 13.79 percent in 2023 compared to 2022, including a decrease in the number of robberies and aggravated assaults.

Aggravated Assaults were down by 17.3 percent from 2022.
Robberies were down by 7.7 percent from 2022.

The only increase came in the murder rate, which rose by 14.95 percent. The department determined that nearly two-thirds of those murders happened inside a residence or at an apartment complex. More than 70 percent of the victims were involved in criminal activity or high-risk behavior, and in a majority of the cases, the suspects and victims were known to one another.

Violent Crime Reduction Strategic Plan
The decreases are the result of a Violent Crime Reduction Strategic Plan that the Dallas Police Department implemented in 2021, using short, mid, and long-term strategies to fight violent crime and the crime-related conditions that come with it.

The Crime Reduction Plan was developed by the Dallas Police Department, University of Texas-San Antonio criminology and criminal justice professors Drs. Michael Smith and Rob Tillyer, and the city of Dallas. It uses evidence-based strategies including hot spot policing, placed network investigations, and focused deterrence.

In hot spot policing, DPD increased police visibility at micro locations where data shows the most violent crime in the city is concentrated.

With placed network investigations, the police focus on eliminating the criminal element in grids, including gang and narcotics activity.

Focused deterrence is a long-term strategy to change culture and violent crime behavior, providing jobs, education, and assisting with social issues.

According to a release, the Crime Plan will continue with hot spot policing and implement more placed network investigations and increased focused deterrence.

"We must continue to do our best to take the criminal element off our streets but must also recognize we need to do more to invest in people and places, and work collectively with our community to offer a more positive path for individuals who otherwise would be involved in crime," the release says.

Other crimes on the decline include shooting (murder, aggravated assault, robbery, and discharge firearm), which went down 20.99 percent from 2022.There were also 1,548 fewer victims of violent crimes from 2022.

Compared to 2020, which was before the Crime Plan was initiated, violent crime is down by 23.78 percent.

"There are still challenges ahead and there is still work to be done, but a decrease in violent crime overall is positive step towards creating a safer Dallas," Police Chief Eddie Garcia said in a statement. "This decrease is the result of hard work by the men and women of the Dallas Police Department, and the amazing partnership we have with of our criminologists, the backing of our city leaders, the community, and businesses."

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Nick and Nora news

Dallas takes steps to protect White Rock Lake eaglets as they learn to fly

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Visitors to White Rock Lake may notice new restrictions and barricades near a bald eagle nesting area, as three eaglets begin learning to fly.

According to a release from the City of Dallas, Dallas Park and Recreation is monitoring the eagle couple, affectionately nicknamed "Nick and Nora" by local residents, closely because they now have three young eaglets ready to take flight. (While their exact location is widely known, down to the very tree, this CultureMap story is not going to disclose it out of an abundance of caution for the fragile family.)

The city is asking area visitors to keep noise levels low and dogs on leashes near the nest.

The release says water-filled barricades are in place along East Lawther Drive between the playground and the Dreyfuss split, temporarily affecting vehicle access in the area. Drivers should expect short delays, and cyclists are being asked to slow down nearby. The playground near the nesting zone is also temporarily closed.

Officials say the Dreyfuss area, White Rock Trail, and Lake Highlands Drive will remain open for walking and biking.

The three eaglets are in a developmental phase known as “branching,” when young bald eagles begin leaving the nest and learning to fly. During this period, the eaglets may be seen on the ground or perched in lower tree branches.

Texas Parks and Wildlife officials say this is a particularly sensitive stage because the young birds can appear injured or distressed as they develop their flying skills. Adult eagles may also become more protective during this time.

"Keeping a safe distance helps prevent problems for both the eagle family and park visitors," park officials say.

Dallas Park and Recreation is coordinating with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the eagle family, the release says.

Bald eagles have been spotted near the lake since at least 2019, and have returned in subsequent years to make a nest in the area.

After nearly disappearing decades ago from most of the United States, the bald eagle population is now flourishing across the nation.

Bald eagles are protected under federal law. Disruption of their natural activities is prohibited and a violation of the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. A violation can result in a fine of $100,000, imprisonment for one year, or both.

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