Maxie Johnson says the problem of random gunfire is growing and is calling for action.
DALLAS — Dallas Police Department data shows that reports of all major crimes fell more than 5.5% compared to the previous year in District 4.
Yet Council Member Maxie Johnson says many residents in that district still don’t feel safe.
“We have a problem in our community where random gunfire is just going off on all levels. And so, we have to find the resources, get the resources to our communities, and let the people see that we’re working very hard to keep them safe and so they can feel safe,” Johnson told us on Inside Texas Politics.
Johnson says the random gunfire problem is getting worse.
It’s also getting more dangerous, as it’s not just the noise. Bullets are hitting homes, piercing walls, and lodging into ceilings. Some residents report being forced to sleep on the floor for safety. Johnson says his own daughter was in bed when a bullet came through a wall and went through her mattress.
Random gunfire is not currently considered a violent crime, with DPD rating it as a priority 3 call, which is considered a “service call.” That is only one spot ahead of the lowest threshold of a priority 4 call, considered “non-critical.” The highest is a priority 1 call, which is an “emergency,” such as an active shooter.
A lower-priority call also generally means slower response times.
“My community said they’ve called several times, and some of our officers show up the next day, or they’re not there when needed. So, if we move from priority 3 to priority 2, possibility priority 1, maybe we can get a faster response time,” the Council Member explained.
Johnson says more security cameras will be installed in his district.
And he’s requesting Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux, who he thinks has done a great job in his first year on the job, to address the community to answer questions about their concerns and explain what the department is doing to help solve, or at least mitigate, the problem.
We asked Council Member Johnson what success looks like.
“Showing up. Showing up. Having conversations,” he answered. “When people see our police presence, they feel safe. They’re appreciative. And again, that’s what the voters voted for. We want more officers on the street because people want to feel safe.”